Brendan’s Bhoys are running on empty but can refuel in break and go flat out for glory
Brendan Rodgers can’t wait for the winter break to give his shattered Celtic stars the chance to recharge their batteries.
The Hoops’ success in reaching the last 32 of the Europa League and reclaiming top spot in the Premiership has taken its toll on his players.
The Northern Irishman admitted his side toiled in their 2-1 home defeat to Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night but pointed to the fact that between domestic games, European football and international breaks, it has been two matches a week virtually non-stop for his top men.
Midfielder Callum McGregor made his 39th start of the season against the Austrians and the campaign hasn’t even reached the halfway point.
That is why Rodgers sees January as a pivotal month for his side.
He will make the most of the time between the final whistle of the Old Firm clash with Rangers at Ibrox on December 30 and facing Airdrie at Parkhead in the Scottish Cup on January 19, by taking his players to Dubai for some much-needed respite and some winter sunshine.
He is confident that will revitalise them for the charge towards a treble Treble when the domestic action gets underway again.
They will also have a Europa League knockout tie to look forward to and will learn their opponents when the draw is made in Nyon tomorrow.
Rodgers said: “Some of our players have played over a season’s worth of games and we are not even at the halfway point.
“So you can understand why they are a bit leggy but it also shows the character of the squad.
“I’m sure we’ll get a good side in the draw and when the time comes to play that tie in February we will be in a better place.
“We will be a bit fresher and hopefully back up to strength.
“The players have put in such a big effort. Against Salzburg I thought we were a bit tired-looking at times.
“When you play against that level of opponent who are so quick, you have to be able to play through the pressure quickly.
“We just looked a fraction leggy and that’s because we have put so much in.
“The players deserve all the credit. When they are pushed they keep going and it’s an absolutely brilliant achievement for them to get through.”
Celtic were well beaten over two legs by Zenit St Petersburg in the knockout stage of the Europa League last season. That was a tough test but the calibre of possible opposition in the draw looks even higher this time round.
For all that, Rodgers thinks Celtic should be looking to go at least one round further.
With Rangers failing to qualify from their group he wants Celtic to fly the flag for Scotland.
Rodgers said: “It doesn’t matter who we get.
“We are in the draw so we’ll see what it brings.
“It’s great for Scottish football, great for us and the staff.
“Year on year we are achieving different things in Europe.
“I think everyone looked at this group and saw it as tough yet we’ve come through it.
“To finish with nine points over the course of the six games, we played some really good games and some not so good.
“We are certainly not perfect but we are improving and the guys are getting experience. Now can we go a stage better than last year?
“But to get out of this group was a big achievement. We want as many Scottish clubs as we can in European football.
“Thankfully, we have gone through and we are representing the nation as well as ourselves. We are very proud to do that and will give it our best.”
More pressing for Rodgers is today’s Premiership clash with Hibs.
The Celtic boss added: “It’s a tough schedule but it’s that way because we have been successful. That’s the way you want it to be and we just have to try and recover the players as quickly as we can because Easter Road is a notoriously difficult place to go.
“Hibs had their first win for a long time last week so we will be ready for a tough game.”
With injuries and fatigue taking their toll, Rodgers is grateful he can call on the likes of Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham.
He said: “The team has been in great form and rhythm so for them to come in and have that strength is important for us.”
Needing just a point against Red Bull Salzburg to progress in the Europa League, Celtic had turned in a shocker at Parkhead and were trailing 2- 0 with just four minutes left.
Meanwhile in Leipzig, Celtic’s rivals for that prized place in the knockout stages were leading Norwegians Rosenborg 1- 0.
Then Tore Reginiussen got his head on the end of a cross to level for Rosenborg, stun Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena into silence and almost take the roof off Celtic Park as news of his goal filtered through.
Kristoffer Ajer was so relieved at the lifeline his countrymen had tossed the Hoops that he didn’t care he was no longer the most popular Norwegian inside Parkhead. He said: “It came up on the big screen that Rosenborg had scored so that was fantastic to see.
“We have to thank the