On the face of it, having eight days to prepare for a big game has its advantages. The bhoys really should be preparing for a top Europa League match but their capitulation at the last 32 means there are eight days between fixtures.
Undoubtedly, Celtic will take full advantage of the extra time they have, but could it have a negative effect?
Neil Lennon gave the bhoys Sunday off after the St Mirren game and he’s likely going to give them at least another day or two before they train hard for Sunday.
You want the players to be relaxed, but you also want a certain amount of intensity and focus. It will be up to Neil Lennon to manage this, so they come good at the right time. If Celtic train them too hard, too soon, this week, they could peak before the game with regards to their best mental and physical shape. On the flip side, if some of the bhoys head down to Cheltenham for example and head back to Lennoxtown not in the right frame of mind, it could be detrimental.
Neil Lennon has been in charge of Glashow Derby build-ups which we’ve won and lost so he will have insight into what works and what doesn’t. Fingers crossed they take advantage of the extra time they have to prepare.
