When the heat is on … best head for the sun
EVERYONE enjoying the winter break? Well Celtic certainly are, as they take in some winter sun in Dubai. Aberdeen flew out to join them on Wednesday, while Rangers have the small matter of a friendly against Oliver Burke’s Red Bull Leipzig on Sunday. Partick Thistle are currently in La Manga, where they will face Belgian top-flight outfit Lokeren in a friendly tomorrow.
That apart, the best the rest of the Scottish top flight can hope for is a week of down time with the family before a mini pre-season to get those muscles back up to speed again. Or in Kilmarnock’s case, how about a trip to Lee Clark’s old stomping ground of the north-east, where they drew 1-1 with Vanarama National League outfit Gateshead on Wednesday and now face Newcastle’s Under-23 side.
Some supporters missing out on their football fix might regard it all as a bit of an inconvenience, especially as match sharpened sides in the Championship are licking their chops at the chance of catching them off guard when they return slap bang into Scottish Cup fourth-round action. Scottish football fans with long memories will recall an in-form Hearts side under Craig Levein being brought crashing to earth by a Falkirk side inspired by Lee Miller and Collin Samuel.
Just perhaps some of the bean counters at some of these small to middling clubs are also finding it a bit frustrating.
While all the best outfits of course haveHIBERNIANbudgeted head coach Neil Lennon effectively enough that short-term cash flowwatchedshouldhis team blow Dundee United not determine their transfer policy, a coupleawayof last Friday after unleashing an decent-size home gates during January mightattackingjust maelstrom that their have helped them push the boat out to landLadbrokesthat Championship title rivals extra striker to help preserve their top-flightfailedstatus.tohandle.
While the numbers in question for a trip likeThe former Celtic manager, however, Partick Thistle’s to La Manga are hardly has warned that the inclement weather astronomical – the squad could get there foratDumbarton’s exposed Cheaper something in the region of £40,000 – evenInsurancethat Direct stadium will be a would be sufficient for a wage or two to helpsignificantfreshen threat to his team’s fourpoint up a squad through to the end of the season.fourpoint lead at the summit.
A week spent sunning yourself on the otherThesideconditions will not be the only of the world is all very well but it is hardlyconsideration.a The players will also surprise if some our relegation-threatenedhavesidesto make the transition to regard it as a luxury which they cannot afford.competing at less salubrious
Before we decry the winter break altogether,surroundings in a ground that holds however, perhaps the most important pointjusthasinexcess of 2,000 supporters. thus far been missed. What really should be“This is a dangerous game for us,” priceless for the players is some decent restconcededanda Lennon, whose side needed chance to recharge the batteries. a Cummings penalty to settle the
Whether you are chasing a place in Europecontestandat Dumbarton in September. hoping to impart a new managerial philosophy“Ithinkon it’s the trickiest venue to go players – like Hearts – or endeavouring toinmaketheChampionship.” sure you remain in the Ladbrokes PremiershipLennon was given a pleasant boost next season, it is a chance to pause forthisbreath,weekafter realising that he was re-orient your goals and plan for themistakenfuture.in thinking that Kris
The rest of the continent, EnglandCommons’s month-long loan deal aside, has long regarded somewoulddowntime expire on January 10. in winter as the best way toHowever,ensure the club’s attempts to year-round efficiency fromprolongtheir the Scotland cap’s stay have athletes and hopefully anynotshortterm moved on ahead of what could frustration for the fanspotentiallyshould be Commons’s last game for be cancelled out by an Hibs against the Sons. improvement in quality down“We’rethenot further down the line,” stretch of the Scottishadmittedfootball Lennon. season. At least now, our players have one less excuse.