Perfect timing at Celtic is hard to ignore despite a much duller weekend

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There’s no getting around it – I much prefer a weekend when Celtic are playing compared to the much duller ones we get without the Bhoys.

Everyone’s mileage varies with international football – plenty enjoy following Scotland, Ireland or whoever during these periods, eager to see their countries perform on a big stage. Plenty more aren’t really fussed and some even avoid it altogether. Regardless of how you view it, one thing can’t be denied, the current break has come at the absolute perfect time for Celtic.

It’s clear there have been a number of knocks to players and others nursing minor injuries in recent weeks despite the Bhoys continuing a relentless run of form. Getting this period to rest and recuperate could well turn out to be a major benefit to Ange Postecoglou and his squad.

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Mooy and Greg Taylor didn’t even travel to join up with their countries while Liel Abada was quickly nursing a thigh problem on his arrival to the Israel camp. Daizen Maeda, too, has had a problem with his knee. Reo Hatate worryingly came off as a substitute against Hibernian as well. These are all big players for us.

Whether they travelled or not, the important thing is they aren’t playing matches and are getting a solid chance to overcome these bumps and bruises for Celtic’s most crucial period of the season.

The players who remained at Lennoxtown and remain fit will also have gotten some well-deserved time off before getting back to the hard work of training and preparing for matches. There’s been no downside here, as long as stalwarts such as Callum McGregor return without issue.

When the Bhoys do get back to action, there will be three big derbies to play alongside a crucial run of Premiership fixtures, starting with a trip to Ross County. This is what the players have been building towards – the chance to win the most important silverware of the season.

This is one of the rare occasions where I absolutely welcome international football and see it as a major benefit to the Bhoys – rather than one to resent or be worried about.

In other news, Hyeongyu Oh shows gratitude to Ange Postecoglou after ‘nervous’ Celtic wait.