Neil Lennon has commented on Celtic’s controversial Dubai training camp in the middle of a global pandemic and directly after their Glasgow Derby defeat.
Celtic’s decision to go on a winter training camp to Dubai has been bashed by both fans and the media. The timing of this trip is the biggest reason for this though. It is in the middle of a global pandemic and directly after their Glasgow Derby defeat against the Rangers, which has left them 19 points behind them in the Premiership.
Now, there are two huge reasons why this is a problem. Firstly, it increases the risk of players getting infected, which could push back fixtures even further. Can the Hoops afford that when they have already played three games less than the Rangers?
Secondly, it is a terrible look for the club to send the players on a trip to Dubai in the middle of a pandemic after their performances this season. Yes, it had probably been arranged much earlier. But even then, you would think they had the time to cancel it.
As expected, Neil Lennon has defended the club’s decision though. As reported by The National, he said:
"“We are sure the camp will be really important for us. It is the same format as previous years, obviously with one significant difference being the protocols in place for COVID, but we hope that we get the same lift from it and can go on another great run in the New Year as we did last season, that’s our real focus just now.“As the club said yesterday, the camp was arranged some time ago, with the full consultation of the footballing authorities and given approval by the Scottish Government. Of course, we understand that we are in very unique and difficult times and there are now even tougher restrictions in place at home, but the camp is risk assessed and arranged in conjunction with Scottish football’s Joint Response Group.“We have put in place all the appropriate protocols and we have undertaken the camp as we see the sporting benefits from it and hope it can do for us what it has done in the past.”"
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This comes along with the recent reports that the board have decided to stick with the manager till the end of the season. And to be very honest, it probably won’t make much of a difference to the fate of the league.
As things stand, we are relying on the Rangers to lose four of their last sixteen games. That is quite an ask of a team that has lost literally none till now.
Of course, anything can happen though. We have already seen that Steven Gerrard’s side don’t do too well under pressure. And to be honest, they did not do much on Saturday either. It was just bad luck and poor decisioning making that led to Celtic’s demise.
So now that they are in Dubai, let’s just hope that they can use that time well and come back firing on all cylinders because they need to be absolutely perfect from here onwards. And even that might not be enough. Quite a mountain to climb.