From the October international break to the November window, Celtic take part in seven crucial games in a 21-day window.
Wednesday’s 2-1 win over St Mirren was game four in that sequence and another important three points in the Scottish Premiership with another huge week ahead, starting with Ross County away on Saturday.
With the number of games in such a short period of time, Brendan Rodgers has looked to use his squad to the fullest, and it was evident on Wednesday night with David Turnbull back into the starting XI and scoring, and substitutes Odin Holm and Hyeongyu Oh combining for the winning goal.
As he looked ahead to the trip to Dingwall, the Celtic manager said he has been thrilled with the squad’s effort during this time as he spoke about the players’ exceptional professionalism in training.
Speaking at Lennoxtown today, he said: “It is one game at a time, of course, but you can’t deny that you have to plan forward as well.
“It’s a very important period of recuperation and recovery and all the sports science team here are outstanding.
“The players are well-drilled on the nutritional and recovery aspects of travel. The guys are prepared for that and the attitude in the squad is very good. They know they have to recover and be ready.
‘It’s what you want to see and it’s a testament to their professionalism.’
“I’ve always said that you can’t come in like David Turnbull the other night and play to that level and score if you’re not focused in training and working very hard.
“The intensity the players show every day is first-class, so that means they are ready when they do come in.
“All the guys that came in midweek made a really important contribution to us.
“John Kennedy, who leads our coaching, has done a brilliant job to ensure what the players do on the pitch they are very much together and there’s no one left isolated even though it’s huge numbers.
“The players deserve huge credit as well because they come in very professional to work and they know it can change very quickly in football and when that chance comes you have to be ready.”
The prime example of working hard and taking your chance is Liam Scales, as the now Republic of Ireland internationalist has become a key figure in the Hoops defence.
His situation reflects the overall mentality of this current group according to the manager as he gets to work with a dedicated and focused group each day in training.
He added: “Liam’s the perfect example. He wasn’t even travelling in some of the squads and then he gets his chance because of that mentality and professional approach.
“He steps in and is ready and he now he’s playing at a very high level.
‘You can’t be selfish. You come into a team and everyone wants to play and be out on the field.’
“The characteristics we want in the players is to not be selfish. When you’re here you want to develop and improve as a player and all you can do is give your all every single day of your life and prepare well.
“Then it’s up to me to pick the team and you can do no more than that. That mentality has to be right and thankfully that’s what we have here.”
