The calm before the storm.
Before the post-split fixtures run riot in what has been an absorbing season in Scottish football, Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts will go down a different road before those fixtures take place.
While Celtic battle St Mirren in a high-stakes Scottish Cup semi-final, title rivals Hearts and Rangers are using their weekend off to jet out for some warm-weather training because they don’t play at the weekend.
Chris Sutton doesn’t believe the weekend off gives Hearts and Rangers an edge, but Kris Boyd and Steven Naismith were quick to disagree.
Sutton: “On that subject, you are saying that beneficial to Hearts and Rangers. I have got to say, I am not so sure.
“I think after the nature of their wins. They would probably like to continue on.”
Naismith: “Oh, they would like to continue on. But I think going away is better than just staying about for the two-week break.”
Boyd: “I agree with that.”
What also needs to be taken into account is the momentum Celtic can build from this.
Beat St Mirren and book a Scottish Cup final ticket, then that could be used to propel this declining side for that opening post-split fixture, and the rest.
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Hearts and Rangers to take a break while Celtic play Scottish Cup semi-final
What was also mentioned by Sutton is the injured Celtic players who are returning to action, such as Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels.
Engels came off the bench at the weekend, Johnston still wasn’t ready and was sitting in the stands, while Callum Osmand is also back on the training pitch.
Perhaps this game, and having that competitive edge and pressure, will be a boost to these players who will be looking to get back into the swing of things as quickly as possible.
There is no time to waste here. That’s why if Celtic beat St Mirren at Hampden, it could be massive in the club’s hopes of keeping their Premiership crown and winning the domestic double.
Sutton: “The break next week for Hearts and Rangers. Is that a good thing?”
Boyd: “Rangers, I think, are going to Marbella.”
Sutton: “Is that a wise choice over there? Night off, what have you? A few curfews broken.”
Boyd: “No, there won’t be any curfews broken.”
Naismith: “You are showing your age. The game has moved on so much from that. Much more professional.”
Sutton: “On that subject, you are saying that beneficial to Hearts and Rangers. I have got to say, I am not so sure.
“I think after the nature of their wins. They would probably like to continue on.”
Naismith: “Oh, they would like to continue on. But I think going away is better than just staying about for the two-week break. I think changing the feeling, maybe a bit more downtime with the squad this time of the season, is a good idea.”
Boyd: “I agree with that.”
Sutton: “With Celtic, do you think it’s an advantage, in terms of the league? The semi-final against St Mirren?
“You talked about Alistair Johnston. You talked about Engels. Johnston, especially, has been out long-term. He is going to get that extra time, so I don’t know if he will be involved against St Mirren. But Engels coming back, his stock has grown. His stock has grown because he hasn’t been playing.”
Boyd: “Let’s not kid ourselves. Hearts and Rangers would prefer to play a Scottish Cup semi-final at the weekend.”
Celtic, Hearts and Rangers’ first games back for the post-split fixtures
Time and time again, you will hear pundits saying that nobody can slip up in this titanic title race anymore.
What’s interesting is that, on the weekend, and only for the second time this season, all three title rivals won their respective matches.
Don’t expect that to be a repeat, but here are the games that will kick off the post-split fixtures. Let the chaos commence.
- Celtic vs Falkirk, Saturday, April 25, 17:30
- Rangers vs Motherwell, Sunday, April 26, 15:00
- Hibernian vs Hearts, Sunday, April 26, 16:30
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