The Celtic first-team squad will have been making the most of some extra time on the training pitch this week.
While our League Cup exit to Kilmarnock last month was a frustrating one, it has at least afforded us the opportunity for more training in the lead-up to this weekend and beyond.
The Hoops are preparing to face Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday, with Lazio visiting Glasgow in the UEFA Champions League next Wednesday.
With big games on the horizon, the team are in fine spirits. We know that because of the club’s latest ‘Lennoxtown Unfiltered’ video which was released on Celtic TV late on Thursday. Here are three amusing sights we came across while watching.
Johnston rivalry
For so long, Mikey Johnston was the only Johnston at Celtic. When the Republic of Ireland winger moved to Portugal on loan last season, Alistair Johnston jetted into Scotland. He was now the sole Johnston.
The pair have finally been united at Lennoxtown in recent weeks after both overcoming substantial early-season injuries. With a surname in common, it seems like they’re getting on well, even if there is a friendly rivalry on the go.
Walking out to training together, the Canadian pointed to his namesake and declared “M. Johnston” to the camera. “A. Johnston” came the response before Alistair suggested that can be known simply as “Johnston” while Mikey requires the ‘M’ in front of his name.
Rodgers’ German
“Guten morgan hausen (?)”, Rodgers says as he walks up to Callum McGregor. We’re not really sure what the last word there was, or means, but the first bit is definitely German for “good morning”.
Rodgers and McGregor then share an embrace before training starts. It’s notable that the Celtic manager interacts with every player, each morning before training.
As for the German, we know he likes to push himself and learn other languages. “I always think if you speak to someone in their second language you speak to their head,” he said in a 2019 Scotsman piece. “If you speak in their first you speak to their heart.”
Spanish and French were on the list back then. It seems like German has been added in the four years since.
Goalkeeping poetry
Joe Hart was keen to put on a show while playing up to the cameras during the session.
“It’s going to be goalkeeping poetry”, the former England number one said before saving five shots in quick succession. “Good noises”, was the response to his many, noisy grunts.
Hart won’t be producing any poetry this weekend. Instead, it will be either Scott Bain or Ben Siegrist between the sticks for Celtic at Motherwell. The former seems the most likely replacement with Hart sure to return to the team for Lazio.
In other news, Malky Mackay calls for VAR talks featuring Celtic after midweek controversy
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