The Celtic winning machine can’t be stopped right now.
On the one hand, the international break is necessary since it helps everyone to refresh and recover for the harsh winter months.
On the other hand, it has halted Celtic’s progress in all competitions, since no one can beat them in the Premiership, League Cup, or Champions League.
Yes, Celtic’s victory over Kilmarnock was tense, and Brendan Rodgers’ team had to dig deep to take the points.
However, for the most part, the football has been excellent, and fans have few complaints.
Many Celtic players have left for national duty, including Kyogo Furuhashi, who has returned to the Japanese squad.
That’s a lot of kilometers for Celtic’s starting forward, especially given Japan’s World Cup qualifier against China next Wednesday.
On that subject, you’d think many Celtic fans would be happy that their next league game will be played on a Saturday evening, but not everyone is.
John Hartson and Stephen McGinn defend Celtic’s 7:45 pm kick-off against Hearts on Sky Sports
As is customary, whenever Celtic play on the road, their game is almost always broadcast on Sky, and this is no exception.
The powers that be have determined that the champions will travel to Tynecastle at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 23.
However, veteran striker John Hartson and Celtic-daft Stephen McGinn had to defend that call to an irate Bhoys fan on Go Radio.
From fears about a late kick-off in general to fans staying in Edinburgh all day and letting it all out in the stands.
When that was brought up to Hartson and McGinn, they made care to dismiss it, with the latter stating why Rodgers will be ‘glad’ that an evening game will be played.
“We have seen other games this season, we have seen games at Aberdeen, same type of kick-off,” Hartson went on. “I believe they will try to structure a lot of the Scottish Premiership clubs, and they may end up having to kick off at that time. I don’t see a major issue at Tynecastle on a Saturday night.”
McGinn continued, “The only thing I would have said is that the police would have been consulted.” It’s nighttime. Sky is looking to schedule games around this period. It’s a huge game for us at home. The police would agree to get it on. I believe Brendan Rodgers will be pleased with that. For starters, he has three players overseas with Japan. Alistair Johnston is away with Canada. Auston Trusty might be away in America. That’s an extra seven or eight hours, with a lunchtime start on Saturday.”
Hartson went on to say, “It also works well under lights. I get what you’re saying about the bothersome supporters, whether they’re on the sauce all afternoon, when they all come steamed up, and so on. From a Celtic perspective, they wouldn’t mind visiting Hearts. They’ll usually come in groups of four or five. Come through with their children. By the way, today is a Saturday. You can wake up on Sunday and spend the entire day thinking about the game. I truly do not think it is a bad fixture. I understand what you’re saying about the support all afternoon. But it is something Hearts must deal with.
Celtic players on international duty
Some major names are at home, including retired Scotland international Callum McGregor and Adam Idah, who has returned from Republic of Ireland service due to injury.
However, 13 Celtic players are currently on international duty, representing teams ranging from Japan to Canada.
Kyogo, Daizen Maeda, and Reo Hatate will represent Japan, while Alistair Johnston will start for Canada, Arne Engels will play for Belgium, backup goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo will represent Finland, and Kasper Schmeichel will return as Denmark’s starting.
Luis Palma will have to go far and wide to win some much-needed minutes for Honduras, as will Auston Trusty for the USA and Paulo Bernardo for Portugal’s U21s.
Then there are Liam Scales’ shorter journeys in Republic of Ireland colours, as well as Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston’s for Scotland.
Read more …https://sportupdates.co.uk/
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