BRENDAN RODGERS reckons Celtic’s decision not to play any games when they are in Dubai this week could actually make the club more money in the long term.
In previous years, the Hoops have subsidised their winter warm-weather training camps by taking on matches against other touring sides.
The games offer locals in places such as Gran Canaria, Antalya and Puerto Banus the chance to see big European clubs they might otherwise only see on TV, and can attract reasonable crowds.
As the Hoops manager explained, though, he believes they can work against the agenda of the coaching staffs.
“We’re not playing any games because we don’t need any,” said Rodgers.
“There can be a commercial element to these trips sometimes, but this isn’t one of those cases.
“What we are getting is more training time, time that will allow us to reinforce our principles and work on different aspects of the game.
“The club have given me the freedom to look at the fixture list, and see how it would pan out.
“If we were to be successful as we wanted to be, then we identified this period as one for recovery with a warm-weather training camp.
“I said Dubai because you’re pretty sure it’s going to be warm. The club have helped with everything I’ve ever wanted. So it’s all gone to plan.”
Under Rodgers’ charge the Hoops made it to the group stages of the Champions League and remain undefeated in domestic competition.
The League Cup is already secured, the Premiership title is all but guaranteed and they are very much on course for the Treble.
The schedule has, though, taken a toll.
“The players have had a lot thrown at them, physically and mentally, in the seven months that we’ve been here,” said Rodgers.
“There has been a huge volume of games to deal with.
“So what we will do in Dubai is have a wee refresher before pressing the reset button and getting ready to go
again.
“The beauty of it is we’ll be fresh on our return, and maybe have a couple of players integrated to the squad.
“And we will certainly have a few back, like Kieran Tierney and Tom Rogic, so it can only benefit us.”
The Celtic manager is determined there should be no slacking.
“You can never afford to have a lazy day. The players here will tell you that,” he said.
“Whenever they think they can maybe come off it a bit, you push them again.
“You have to keep going, fighting and improving. Every day is a chance to improve.
“If you don’t, you’ve wasted it because once today is gone, that’s it.”
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