The December slogfest of fixtures started as a feature in the 2016-17 season with the reimposition of a January “break”. Not playing for three weeks essentially meant shoehorning more games into the pre year end period when European football tends to rest until February.
So, a reminder, it is ALWAYS a slog!
If we look at the overall league records in that month since the break was reintroduced:
You might reasonably think “that’s not so bad”!
Some caveats. Both 2020-21 and 2021-22 were impacted directly by COVID-19 restrictions that carried through into the second of those seasons. In 2020-21 Celtic played two Europa League ties (losing to AC Milan and winning at home to Olympique Lille) and a delayed Scottish Cup final against Heart of Midlothian from the previous season (that rather nervy 3-3 draw won on penalties).
In 2021-22, a Europa League tie and League Cup Final against Hibernian formed part of the schedule but the break was shortened to two weeks instead of three so there was one less league game than normal.
In 2022-23 the schedule was completely disrupted by the November and December World Cup in Qatar.
So, this season, we are back to the schedule we saw in 2016-17 through 2019-20.
2016-17
On the face of it Rodgers’s Invincibles coasted through the December storm. However, this run included that remarkable 4-3 last gasp win at Motherwell thanks to Tom Rogic. Also, there were turgid one goal home victories against Hamilton Academical, Dundee and Partick Thistle. A win away at Hamilton was achieved with 10 men after Callum McGregor was sent off. The month ended with a narrow win at Ibrox. So, quite spotty in places.
2017-18
A relatively poor month points wise with only five wins from eight ties.
The Invincible run was halted 0-4 at Tynecastle. There were draws at Hibernian and 0-0 at home to The Rangers. The wins were comfortable enough.
2018-19
This December run started with a draw at Motherwell and this was followed by defeats at Easter Road and Ibrox. A 4-3 at Pittodrie was also fraught.
Historically, this was Celtic’s worst December at Rodgers would be gone by the February.
2019-20
That December saw a remarkable and fortunate League Cup final triumph against Scotland’s perennial runners up and a highly disappointing 0-2 defeat against Cluj in the Europa League.
The league form was uninspiring but effective with one goal victories against Hamilton Academical, Aberdeen and St Mirren. Home defeat finished the month in the Derby.
The run into December started with another draw against Motherwell but do not be surprised given the sheer volume of fixtures if the football is less than inspired as each team fights hard to go into the New Year in as favourable position as possible. Everyone is fighting for something still.
December history has shown even if Celtic do win more often than not, it is regularly stuffy and by one goal.
You’ve been warned!
Stay warm.
I remember, bizarrely, that we played really well in this slot of the otherwise dismal 2020-21 campaign. Lennon seemed to be forced into doing things that made a lot of sense: Ajeti was moved into the preferred number 9 slot (the one and only area he can play). Edouard played in his more natural number 10 position. I think Brown might have been injured and so the switches were all knock-on. Turnbull and Soro came into the team and were at least functional, and good on occasion. We played really well up to and including the game at Ibrox (which we lost). Presumably all of this was an accident because Lennon went back to the set up that hadn’t been working as soon as the players were back.