Celtic’s game against Livingston on Saturday is the first of 11 games that the Hoops will have in three competitions between now and the end of December, when the winter break will start. Neil Lennon will have to be careful with how he uses his players. He will not want to overplay the most important members of the squad.
It would be useful therefore, if Celtic were able to give players a break perhaps during some games which have been won early on. Players could get substituted around the 60-minute mark for example.
Thankfully, there is a blueprint that Celtic can follow which could allow Neil Lennon to rest his players on occasion during what is going to be a hectic run of fixtures.
Game was won by half-time
That blueprint it to try to emulate how Celtic performed when they faced Aberdeen at Pittodrie in October. If anyone has forgotten, the Hoops cruised to a 4-0 victory. All the goals came in the first-half of the game.
Obviously it will not be possible for the Hoops to take that approach during every game of the 11 matches they are about to play. However, there is no reason for them not to try it against Livingston on Saturday, for example.
Neil Lennon should be telling his players to go out there and try to score as many goals as possible in the first-half.
Changes could be made in second-half
That would get the game won as quickly as possible. It would perhaps allow the Hoops boss to make changes in the second-half of the game. That would benefit those who were away on international duty, in particular.
The win over Aberdeen was one of Celtic’s best performances of the season. It allowed the Hoops a second-half where they could take their foot off the gas and play within themselves.
With the busy schedule that Celtic are about to face, it would benefit the players if the team was able have more games won by half-time.
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