In a surprising turn of events, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has announced that the team will not be participating in a warm-weather training camp in Dubai this January.
This decision marks a significant deviation from the pattern set during Rodgers’ first two-and-a-half-year spell, where he took the squad to Dubai for three consecutive seasons. These camps were seen as vital for preparing the team for the latter half of the season, often resulting in a noticeable uptick in performance.
Neil Lennon, continued this tradition, until it blow up in his face. Ange Postecoglou, however, did not follow this practice. With Rodgers’ return, many expected a revival of the Dubai camp tradition, but the manager has decided against it.
Explaining his decision, Rodgers told RecordSport, “I always think it’s a period where you can break the cycle and have some warm-weather training. We were looking to go out to Abu Dhabi but because of the situation in the world and everything else, I didn’t want to bring any risk to it.” This statement reflects a cautious approach in the face of ongoing global uncertainties.
Moreover, Rodgers emphasised the importance of family time for his players: “Rather than waiting to see what happens, I thought I’d just make the decision early and allow the players just to spend some time with their families, which is probably more beneficial anyway.” This move indicates a shift towards prioritising player welfare and work-life balance, aspects increasingly recognised in modern sports management.
However, the possibility of warm-weather training has not been entirely ruled out. Rodgers added, “And, if we need to pick up some warm-weather training later on, we have a chance to do that.” This flexibility suggests that the team might still consider similar training sessions, albeit at a different time or location, depending on how the season progresses.
The Celtic boss’ decision is a pragmatic one, considering the global context and his players’ needs. It remains to be seen how this change will impact Celtic’s performance in the latter half of the season, but it certainly highlights a manager willing to adapt and prioritise the well-being of his team.
