Things have changed at Celtic that’s for sure. This time last year, as the winter break ended, Celtic faced the same opponent, but both the mood, the media circus around the club and the available personnel to the manager were markedly different.
This time around – at the time of writing at least – there is no Covid or self-isolation periods to contend with, a trip to Dubai has been binned in favour of home comforts, and we don’t have a manager self-isolating and sixteen players doing the same. Instead, we have a new manager who will be in the dugout and one who has brought a sense of positivity to replace the impending doom of last season.
Add to that the fact we have three new signings we’re looking forward to seeing tonight, rather than a raft of youth players, is a welcome change from last season. And those players will also be glad something else has changed from last year, as will anyone else within earshot. No initiation ceremonies!
As reported in Daily Record Greg Taylor has been explaining the process of grabbing a hairbrush and belting out your favourite song is now a thing of the past and something our Japanese signings have thankfully avoided.
“Nah, we didn’t have an initiation process. It used to be doing songs before but I think that’s gone out of the game a wee bit. I don’t think many lads like it and especially boys coming from different countries. I can’t imagine that would be a very nice position to be put in so it’s not something we do here
“I did one here when I signed mind you! I did one when I first broke through at Kilmarnock. I couldn’t tell you what I sung as my memory’s not the best. But it was one of those ones, standing on a chair in the middle of the dinner hall with a knife in hand, trying to sing as well as you can – which for me is not very good at all!
“The lads have settled in really well though. They have trained well this week so they will be hoping to be involved in the upcoming weeks. They are all really nice lads, good work ethic, they have handled it really well.”
Yet there are some difficulties for any player coming to Glasgow that doesn’t change. And whether you’re arriving from Tokyo or Tunbridge Wells, the Scottish accent is possibly even harder to get to grips with than singing in front of a dressing room of near strangers -well almost. Despite this, Taylor and his teammates are doing their best to settle the new boys in.
“I think you try and be as pleasant as you can. Of course you’ve got the language barrier with the Japanese guys a bit just now, but already their English is improving day-by-day. It is hard listening to my Scottish accent at the best of times. It can’t be easy for anyone.
“No, just try and be as pleasant as you can and when we are on the training pitch explain the standards that we need to set every day. The manager’s pretty clear with that. It’s all pretty clear for anyone that comes in the demands you pretty much need to hit straight away.”
And Greg himself is also feeling back to his best after an extended period under the care of the physios following a shoulder injury last year. Now he’s ready to hit the right notes as Celtic return to action tonight under an altogether more positive changing room than 12 months ago .
“The shoulder is good. Touch wood, no complaints. It was a long 10 weeks that I was out, but I expected it to be longer initially, so the surgeon was really pleased that we managed to get back in that timeframe, so that was good.
“I also managed to play my part in the cup final, to be able to get back for that game and play was a real incentive and it was a great day. You hate missing games. I just hope to play and contribute as much as I can when the gaffer calls upon me.
“I have been happy with the performances to be fair. I think there’s improvement in myself that can still happen, definitely. I’ve enjoyed the way in which the gaffer wants to play, but I just try to work hard every day in training, listen to the coaches, listen to the gaffer and take on as much information as I can.
“Hopefully that will stand me in good stead.”
Last January Celtic’s young team held their own, yet a decimated side ultimately dropped two points on the night. This time out with the picture looking altogether rosier Taylor is confident Celtic are in far better shape for the challenge of Hibs this time around, and with quality time spent on the training ground, something with two games a week, every week, Celtic have struggled to manage.
“Aye well we don’t have 16 missing for Monday, so definitely! That’s certainly a start. No squad can handle losing 16 players, so thankfully, we’ve not got that amount
“The break was good. It gives you a change to get a good, clear training week and do more work on the training field. During the season we don’t have that much time. It’s game-recover, game-recover. To have that extended period off was the chance to welcome the new lads, explain how we want to play our football and thankfully that’s what we have done this week.
“It has been a good training week and we are all ready to go.”
With plenty having changed since Celtic faced Hibs post winter break last season, we just need one more this time around. Last season the Hoops returned to action with a 1-1 draw, this time out three points is just the change we need, and the players can leave the singing to those in the stands tonight.
Niall J
And for those who missed this one on The Celtic Star, here’s a catch-up chance to check out the photographs given to this site by the former Celtic Director Tom Grant of the demolition of the old Celtic Park and in its place the emergence of the New Celtic Park which we know and love today. These photographs are fascinating and well worth checking out on the link below…
READ THIS…Exclusive – A Phoenix Rising, a House of Steel. Celtic Park Redevelopment Photographs
