While Celtic are set for significant upgrades to its Barrowfield training ground, comments from the club’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, during his first stint in charge, have resurfaced and are strikingly relevant.
Today, news broke that Glasgow-based architectural firm Holmes Miller has unveiled plans indicating that Barrowfield is set to get done up.
Currently, the training complex, which is used by the women’s team, consists of a few pitches. However, the newly released images reveal that Celtic intends to add several new pitches to the facility and an indoor complex featuring a full-sized football field.
This indoor park is designed to be a game-changer, especially during the winter months when outdoor conditions in Scotland can be challenging for both players and coaching staff.
In 2016, Rodgers was vocal about the need for such a facility. He highlighted the advantages that indoor training grounds offer, particularly in maintaining the continuity of player development and coaching during the harsh winter months, particularly in the Scottish weather.
“You do need it. If you have the facility to do that up here, or the finances, I think you should,” Rodgers said. “You can work all year and do great work, but then the weather sets in. That’s the big advantage the Europeans have over us. You lose your coaching. You might go through three or four months, losing time, because it’s not about coaching, it’s about keeping the players warm.” [Daily Record]
Rodgers’ comments from seven years ago now seem prophetic as Celtic moves forward with this ambitious project. The planned indoor complex at Barrowfield aligns perfectly with Rodgers’ vision, underscoring the club’s commitment to providing its players and coaching staff with the best possible environment for success, regardless of the weather. It begs the question if this didn’t come up when the board looked to tempt Brendan back to the club.
As Celtic continues to compete at the highest levels domestically and in Europe, this development is a clear statement of intent, reflecting a long-term vision for excellence that transcends the challenges posed by Scotland’s climate.
