December has begun and it’s a massive month for the Scottish Premiership title race that will culminate in a Celtic derby at home to Rangers.
Brendan Rodgers’ side currently sit eight points clear at the top of the table, having played a game more, with the Ibrox outfit fluffing their chance to close the gap last weekend.
Both teams will play for 21 league points throughout a busy December, ending as Celtic test themselves against Philippe Clement for the first time since his arrival in the Scottish Premiership.
At the end of a difficult seven days for his team, Clement is already getting his excuses in early too, suggesting that form over the next few weeks could be impacted by the expansion of squad members’ families.
He said [Scottish Sun]: “I’ve seen Sima in the last few games a little bit at a lower level after the birth of his baby, some less sleep and maybe the occasion.
“We have had a few interesting weeks in that way with players who have been injured. Or players who are getting babies – there are quite a few in December and January. Those are things to look towards because we need everyone at their top level.”
Celtic have had terrible injury issues this season and Rodgers has been forced to name much-weakened teams throughout the season, so Clement’s comments are pretty bizarre.
These are the issues that squads must fight through to win trophies. This is the pressure of football in Glasgow.
Clement has actually been a pretty sensible character since taking charge of Rangers but now subbing off players before half-time and coming out with excuses that Michael Beale and Pedro Caixinha would be proud of, it’s going to be an interesting few weeks in one of the most pressurised periods of the campaign.
Hopefully, it’s Celtic and Celtic supporters bringing in the new year in especially joyous fashion.
In other news, Celtic team news ahead of St Johnstone as Brendan Rodgers confirms squad status.
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