Robson: Give us a break

Jun 1 2008 By Gordon Waddell

Robson Wants End To Marathon Seasons

BARRY ROBSON watched Scottish football stagger over the finishing line of a gruelling season last Friday night - then called for a revolution that gives players AND fans a break.

The Celtic midfielder played the end game of a brutal stretch for Scotland in Prague knowing he'll be back at the coalface for pre-season training in just over four weeks' time.

And he knows his opposite numbers at Rangers have had it even worse with their 19-game run to the UEFA Cup Final capping a 68-match marathon.

Robson is almost grateful Scotland didn't make it to Euro 2008 because he reckons they'd have had nothing left in the tank by then anyway.

Barry believes it's time to scrap the 11-month season, stop hitting fans in the pockets for the summer and resist wringing players dry when they need their energy most.

With half a dozen Scotland call-offs last week, pre-season friendlies looming in six weeks and Euro qualifiers for Rangers in eight, Robson feels like the game is on a treadmill and said: "Guys are struggling. Look at the number of games Rangers have just played.

"It's hard. Even at Celtic we've had Scotty Brown playing with his thumb problem for six months now and he can hardly pick up a cup of tea!

"Even big Mick McManus has been struggling with his stomach and groin as well.

"This is the stage of the season to get these things sorted out.

"People maybe don't realise it but that extra week is a great window of opportunity for a rest.

"The manager, Gordon Strachan, knows that too, that we only really have a four week break.

"We should be doing something.

When the pitches are good, the weather's good, we play midweek games at the start of the season, cram them in and we can have everyone shutting up shop by the start of May.

"The season can then kick off at a normal time, it gives you the chance to stay fit, stay fresh.

"And it's the same for the fans - they only get a month off before they're shelling out money again.

"They could get a proper break from it too and after that maybe they think 'Can't wait for the football to start all over again'. The players are fresher, the product is better.

"I understand why chairmen are against it. They get bigger revenue from playing Saturday games but you're caught between the two.

"It's important everyone is feeling right going into the new season. But it's a hard debate to find a solution to.

"One thing though, it wouldn't have been great if we had qualified for the Euros given the games we've all just played and the injuries the boys are carrying. Some of them would have played on anyway."

Despite all that Robson, 28, was still grafting hard in every session last week trying to cement a spot in the most competitive area of manager George Burley's squad.

And although he'd love to set up a permanent pairing with Paul Hartley for club and country, Robson knows that's a long shot with the likes of Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher up against them.

The Robson/Hartley tandem is widely credited for seeing Celtic over the finishing line for the Hoops' third SPL title on the trot with Robson in particular looking the part after a spell on the sidelines following his move from Tannadice.

But the former Dundee United and Inverness playmaker said: "I've been playing a regular role for years, just in different teams.

"And to be fair, I only missed six games being on the bench for Celtic - but I knew it was going to be like that.

"You just have to try and break your way in.

"I understand I've had the praise for my form being good recently but a lot of the boys have been in good form for their clubs.

"So even when you get here it's a hard fight, trying to get into the side when you look around and see so many good players.

"You just hope to get a game every time and if you can it's a case of doing the business every time.

"The rest of the Scotland lads are top players. Barry and Scott Brown weren't even there, yet we still have Fletch and Hartley.

"That shows you how strong it is and it's good for the country that we're fighting for these places.

"It would be great if Paul and I can take what we do for our club on to this level too but then you have the likes of Fletch playing for Man United, he's a terrific operator."