So the game goes ahead, and it has to be stated that the Celtic ground staff have done a remarkable job given the amount of snow that has fallen this week.
Morton, who had a game on Tuesday night have been unable to train at all since then although they did get out for some fresh air in a bitterly cold Battery Park in Greenock earlier today. Their preparations for a visit to Celtic Park could hardly be worse.
Celtic lost one game this week to the weather and were very keen that there would be not another winter weather casualty tomorrow.
Brendan Rodgers even moved training to Paradise although that may have been a reflection on the road out in the countryside at Lennoxown. However it helped to get the press and the television cameras along for them to see the Bhoys training and to see for themselves that Celtic Park is ready to stage the quarter final Scottish Cup tie tomorrow.
Roads and pavements around the stadium looking good as well thanks to @GlasgowCC! ???? pic.twitter.com/aj4Q6cylkr
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 2, 2018
Brendan Rodgers was disappointed that the Dundee game fell victim to The Beast from the East.
“Of course, you’re always disappointed when a game is postponed for whatever reason,” he said. But he noted a big difference in the situation today, ahead of the visit from Morton.
“Certainly, driving in here this morning, you see the stadium and pitch, it’s all playable. The ground staff and everyone have done a great amount of work here to ensure the game ahead and, for everyone, I’m sure they will want that to be the case.
“With the game called off on Wednesday, obviously we didn’t play and then it was virtually impossible for us to train yesterday but we have trained well today.
“A lot of work has gone on around the stadium to make it safe and secure for hopefully all the supporters tomorrow. The pitch is fine and playable for the game.
“We have played a lot of games so we’ve had a bit of a breather for a few days which won’t do us any harm. The guys trained very well this morning and we’re set and ready for the game.
“We were planning for the game for Wednesday so of course that didn’t take place. Yesterday was virtually near-on impossible but we gave the guys a programme to do. Our sports science team made sure the guys were given the appropriate work and as we have played so many games, we aren’t going to lose football fitness.
????❄️ Fine job from the #CelticFC ground staff who have worked tirelessly to clear the snow from the pitch ahead of tomorrow's #ScottishCup tie. pic.twitter.com/tjQp33deH5
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 2, 2018
“Obviously today we have trained, so we’ve only really missed out on probably one day’s preparation. What was important was we could get a good training session in today and we did that this morning which was good.
“We had a look at our tactical preparation today and the boys will be ready. Of course it was difficult for everyone to work yesterday. Today, I’m sure most teams will be trying to find a way to get a venue and thankfully the guys have done a great job here in clearing the pitch and everything, and it’s perfect for the game tomorrow.”
THE CELTIC STAR PODCAST – FEATURING DAVID LOW
THE CELTIC STAR PODCAST EXTRA – FEATURING CELTIC BY NUMBERS
