Celtic face higher than body temps in Armenia

While the World Cup is a nice summer distraction, the serious business of Champions League qualification gets underway for Celtic one week tomorrow.  Right now, the temperature in Yerevan, Armenia, where we will face Alashkert, is an egg-frying-on-the-patio 38°C.  It’s to be higher-still at 7pm.

Brendan Rodgers may consider it wise to send his players out to pace themselves for the first 89 minutes or so.  Playing in heat warmer than body temperature is not something you can acclimatise to in a few days.   PLayers’ bodies will react in a way they will seldom, if ever, have experienced before.  I would bite your hand off for a draw and no remedial medical attention required.

Best of luck to Dedryck for Belgium’s round of 16 tie against Japan tonight, although I’m beginning to cross-reference World Cup Champions League dates.  You would not bet against Belgium remaining involved until the last weekend.