The Hypothetical Coaching Carousel aside, this weekend’s trip to Fir Park is shaping up to be a big one for the Bhoys. A week of internationals hopefully helped the Bhoys to forget about the previous week’s derby disaster and get motivated for an always tough trip to Motherwell. The aforementioned international week saw the Tartan Army learn what Celtic fans have started to realize this season, that Stephen McManus might not be worthy of the starting XI, let alone an armband. If only international red cards carried over to club play, we might see Glenn Loovens take the field with a solid performance in Gary Caldwell’s absence under his belt, however crazy man Gordon Strachan is not known for his squad shake ups, so look for McManus and the Scottish National Team Man of the Match Gary Caldwell in the middle of the defense.

Everyone’s favorite large arsed kangaroo, Scott McDonald has seemingly had the run of Lennoxtown to himself with others off on international duties and has made it clear that he is healthy and ready to be back into the line up. Gordon Strachan has the convenient problem of having to choose between last year’s top scorer, this year’s top scorer, and a rejuvenated Shaun Maloney. The Celtic Offside’s crystal ball expects to see your standard 4-4-2, with Samaras and Skippy up top and Maloney first off the bench (with Strachan, that could be around the 88th minute). The same crystal ball has put Celtic in a 4-3-3 on his Beeb squad selector with the whole lot of them on the field. Finally, the crystal ball sympathizes with Gordon Strachan for when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink returns from his stupidity red card suspension and suggests that Ginger Baws find a lucky coin to flip for squad selection.

It always seems like “squeeky bum time” when the Bhoys travel to the water polo ground that is Fir Park, despite Celtic taking 4 of the last 5 from the ‘well. McGhee’s ‘well boys have not picked up where they left off last year with a record of two wins, two loses, and a draw. A nervy 1-0 victory over the other green team of the SPL might have gotten the ‘well on track, however Motherwell does not seem to pack it up in the back like most teams do against the Glasgow teams, praying for a draw. Tomorrow should see at least an exciting match for both supporters, and the crystal ball is back to predict a 2-1 victory with Sammy adding to his goal total and a nice homecoming goal for Skippy, with Motherwell getting a goal in the 75th minute to make the last quarter of an hour stressful.

Its impossible to estimate the effect that this place will have on the club, but it should be massive. Having an all-encompassing, world class training center can only serve to lure a higher class of international player to Celtic Park.

The other side of the coin is that the club will develop its youngsters in a state-of-the-art facility, which should enable the youth and reserve teams to maximize their efforts, creating an even better product.

What exactly have the Bhoys got under that roof, you ask? It’s pretty damn impressive:

• Three natural grass full-sized, UEFA match-size pitches.
• One full-sized top-graded artificial all-weather UEFA match-size pitch. Floodlit.
• Undersoil Heating.
• Indoor training pitch.
• Goalkeeping training area.
• State-of-the-art gym/fitness suite.
• Extensive Physio/medical facilities.
• Hydrotherapy Pool.
• Sauna and Steam Room.
• Sports science/sports development facility.
• Extensive changing facilities.
• Classroom/Education facilities.
• Football administration offices.
• Media facilities.
• Kit room.
• Laundry.
• Groundsman’s compound

Chairman Brian Quinn says:“The new centre is a high-quality facility which befits a Club of Celtic’s stature and we are sure it will be one from which we will reap great rewards.”

CEO Peter Lawwell comments: “In a magnificent setting, the centre is one which we are sure will be invaluable in both providing excellent training facilities for our first team and in developing Celtic stars of the future.”

Quoth WGS, “I can just deal with football here and so can the players. There won’t be any distractions for them.”

El Capitan say, “It’s important to keep that connection with the fans and we’ll do all we can do that. When we do go back to Celtic Park for matches, it will be even more special, because we might not see the fans as much out here.”

“It will make matchdays more exciting, but I also think it’s important that the players have a place where they can relax and be together. However, when we do go back to the ground, we will get a real feel for the atmosphere.”

All in all, a great day for the club now and going forward, it supporters, and everyone associated with Celtic. Check out some more shots of the ground. I can just smell that clean mountain air.

***** Needless to say, the vast majority of this information as well as the photos have been shamelessly jacked from Celtic’s official site. You can get even more about Lennoxtown here, here, here, here, and here. *****