Training ground value in Friday night football

Two weeks of kicking our heels comes to an end tomorrow as Celtic return to action in the Premiership, before facing Rosenborg in the Europa League at Celtic Park six days later.  Coincidentally, both opponents sacked their manager ahead of Celtic games in recent weeks, Kare Ingebrigtsen left the Norwegians six days before he was due to face Celtic, while St Mirren sacked Alan Stubbs last week.

Ingebrigtsen’s departure did not help Rosenborg against Celtic, but their form since has been an impressive seven wins and a draw from eight outings.  They are now two points clear at the top of the Eliteserien table.

Oran Kearney may be able to effect a similar improvement at St Mirren, but Celtic should have enough to make tomorrow night’s game something of a learning opportunity for the Irishman, just as they did for Rosenborg’s interim coach, Rini Coolen.

Don’t underestimate the value in the extra day’s rest a Friday night game gives you.  Brendan will have an extra day at Lennoxtown, which is not dedicated to recovery or strength training.