Celtic winger Kris Commons has welcomed the arrival of the Scottish Premier League's winter break, even though it has cut across his return from injury.
Commons returned after six games out with a thigh problem when Celtic completed the initial part of their title defence with a 1-0 win over Motherwell on January 2.
Celtic, currently nine points clear at the top of the table, had played two games each week since mid-November but the fortnight-long break means they should be fresh for their Champions League last 16 clash against Italian giants Juventus on February 12.
The Hoops, who are trying to sign Israel defender Rami Gershon from Belgium club Standard Liege during the January transfer window, are flying to Marbella on Spain's southern coast for a training camp this week and Commons believes the break can only be good for the likes of Scott Brown, who has been playing with a hip problem.
"It will be like a mini pre-season and it will get our minds back in gear ahead of a few really big months," the 29-year-old Commons told Celtic View.
"We have both domestic cups as well and we want to win them, so everyone has to be fit and ready to be called upon.
"We've struggled at times with injuries and had to patch people up but they've all worked hard to get to this break and give their bodies a rest.
"You look at Browny doing everything he can to play games, and he managed to get through them with good performances at the same time.
"That's credit to him and how much he wants to play and win with the club - I admire that.
"He's a role model in terms of his captaincy, leadership qualities and he sacrifices a lot of his own game to give the likes of me, Hoops (Gary Hooper) and Sami (Georgios Samaras) the freedom we need to express ourselves going forward.
"He's the hard worker who does the nasty stuff not many people like to do and he does it so well, so he's a pleasure to play with."
Source: AFP
