THE impromptu break in action could be a “godsend” to Celtic skipper Scott Brown.
That’s the view of Hoops boss Neil Lennon as he prepares his troops for a tilt at the history-making 10 successive titles.
Brown and his team-mates have not kicked a ball in anger since football went into lockdown in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The champions’ onfield leader played in the 5-0 victory over St Mirren at Parkhead – with Leigh Griffiths thumping in a hat-trick and Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor adding the others – and has been on the sidelines since March 7.
He is now back enjoying open-air training at Lennoxtown and is getting ready for the Premiership kick-off on August 1.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “They are all in great condition. Some of these lads have not had much of a break in three or four years. I’ve been going through the stats and the likes of Broony and Callum are right at the top of minutes played.
“The break might be a godsend to Scott, he’s looking injury free and really fit. It will take a bit of time to get the football function back, with the twisting and turning, but we’ll eventually be doing games in training and they’ll get up to speed.”
Lennon also admitted he can feel the excitement building among his squad as they work to getting back into the thick of things with the first Euro tie coming hot on the heels of the league commencement.
He added: “It’s been strange, but good to have them back in. We’ve been training them in groups of four, going through running and tactical drills and a mixture of a bit of both.
“We’ve had to be quite imaginative to bring a bit of variety to the sessions. You are quite limited to what you can do at times, but it’s a start.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant getting them all back together again.
“You can almost feel the anticipation building again and excitement coming back.”
