A year ago you and I discussed Scott Brown’s fitness with some concern for the season ahead. Since then the captain has not skipped a beat, his form and availability for selection have been without question.
It is clear he can cope with a Scotland game this weekend, and no doubt finish the season untroubled, but Scotland have an international against England on 10 June, two weeks after the Scottish Cup final, and four weeks before Celtic’s Champions League qualification campaign gets underway.
If Scott is to participate in all games, he will have a week off after the Scottish Cup final before being called into the Scotland squad, then two weeks before Celtic’s preseason training starts. For a player of his age, with his injury profile, this schedule would not allow sufficient recuperation ahead of a new season.
Selfishly, the most important thing to you and I, and to Celtic, is Champions League qualification, more so than the Scottish Cup, or than a season of invincibility, delightful, though both would be. What Brendan Rodgers backroom team need to do is prepare Scott as thoroughly as possible for the middle of July. Planning should start now.
If there’s another player in the Celtic squad who I would also like to ration his football it’s Mikael Lustig. The Sweden international is likely to be involved in both their international squad in June; a World Cup qualifier against France and a derby against Norway.
If Scotland fail to get a positive result against Slovenia on Sunday, Scott might consider it best to retire from the international stage, again. He and Mikael could do with a few weeks on the beach at the end of the season.
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Great to see the Celtic contingent feature so prominently in a crucial victory for Scotland.
I think our players benefit hugely from these type of high pressure games against better opponents . It’s great for their development, though I understand concerns about injuries/fatigue. I think the positives outweigh the negatives and their involvement in these games can help them reach a higher level.
What a debut fromSA, take a bow son.
Well done to BR and the coaches for their part in his development.
I hope LG isn’t too despondent following his misses ( not his bird, I’m sure she’s lovely ).
He did well to lose his marker twice and was unlucky to hit the post.
https://videocelts.com/2017/03/blogs/loan-celts/ciftci-update/
Not been on for a while. Busy moving house. Now at beautiful Hervey Bay.
Just saw Macjay1 refer to Greens. I also used to dauner down from St Als for the chips and
a fly smoke, but the rumour was that the Greens would phone the school and grass us up.
That was in the late 50s
Good morning CQN from a cool, dry and high clouded East Devon.
MOOLOOLABA BHOY on 27TH MARCH 2017 6:54 AM
`63 `64 for me.
Jeez , mate.
I thought we had originated the ” Greens ” lunchtime sojourn.
An alternative to ” Sadie`s ” or the ” Dairy ” and the constant threat of ” Pip. ”
We must have some mutual acquaintances.
Next time you are in Sydney …………………………
Eia Deo , mate.
Good morning friends from a bright and beautiful, clear skied, dry and calm East Kilbride.
Reasons to be cheerful on a Monday
1. Scotland won.
2. Next Sunday’s game at Tynecastle is being shown on the free Sky Sports Mix channel so available free in the Baldie household.
3. We now have 99 entries for Goals For Shay 2 – and with still 4 more selpps till the first game kicks off could we possbily beat the last competitions total of 117 entries? cqnpredictor@gmail.com
4. I have paid employment. Which reminds me……… ;-)
GG,
That Bobby Murdoch in particular got so few caps is why my Dad has no time for Scotland.
I have to say I was delighted that Scotland won last night; I was almost as anxious over the last couple of minutes, as I am if Celtic are only winning 1-0 at the same time.
Still very worried about our CL qualifying if so many of our 1st team are playing England a couple of weeks beforehand, especially our captain.
new article posted.
Tooooooo early for wind ups Paul :)