While most of us were enjoying Christmas dinner and the usual festive celebrations yesterday, the Celtic squad were busy preparing for today’s trip to Dens Park to face Dundee.
After beating Livingston on the 23rd, the Bhoys players were given the day off on Christmas Eve, as well as the morning of the big day itself before getting themselves into training and then a hotel ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership action.
They know this is a critical time of the season and points can’t be dropped ahead of the winter break with the second-placed team so close behind.
It’s a well-worn routine for these players at this point and defender Greg Taylor has pointed out the work put in over Christmas is something they just get on with, without issue.
Celtic’s Christmas routine explained
He said [Daily Record, 26/12 print edition]: “We were in a hotel. There was no charades or anything like that! You train a bit later on Christmas Day so you get the morning with your families and enjoy that with them, because they make a lot of sacrifices throughout the season. You’re away in a lot of hotels, and can be away at three games a week.
“But we are in such a privileged position as footballers, and I would never take it for granted. It’s an amazing honour to play at this club and to play professional football as your living, but it is one of the days you try to give back to them because there is a lot of sacrifice for them.
“I celebrated it on Christmas Eve because we were off. We had the family up and enjoyed it with them. Pretty standard, prawn cocktail, soup, turkey, ham… no wine for me though, I left that for other people! Then we trained on Christmas Day to be ready to prep for Dundee.
“It’s been a lot of games and we want to finish it with strong performances and positive results. That starts on Boxing Day against Dundee.”
Everyone is hoping to see the Bhoys build on Saturday’s result over Livingston. It was an improved performance compared to recent weeks but supporters are now looking for consistency.
The team must start sharp and full of intent again, looking to avoid being drawn into a battle on Dundee’s terms. Today’s not a day for going through the motions.
In other news, Celtic team news and Predicted XI for Boxing Day Dundee clash.
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