Celtic are in the Algarve this week ahead of the resumption of SPFL action on December 17.

Trading the Baltic, near-freezing temperatures of Scotland's central belt for the balmy, if a bit wet, 17 or 18-degree heat of Portugal sounds great. 

They aren't there for a 'break' though. There will be no all-inclusive festas for Ange Postecoglou's men, nor are they likely frequent the Albufeira strip for a wee visit to Jinky's Bar or Kadoc.

The Hoops will not be alone in Portugal, with French side Stade Rennes also embarking on a mid-season trip.

Rennes are there for a full week encompassing two matches, against Celtic and Feyenoord, before flying home to take on fellow Ligue 1 side Stade Brest in a friendly before their domestic campaign resumes.

Celtic, as far as we understand, are there primarily to train and have just the Rennes match scheduled while there. 

A behind-closed-doors affair, this kicks off at 10am GMT on Saturday December 10. The Hoops resume their Premiership season against Aberdeen at Pittodrie a week later.

So they're there to work.  But why? What benefits does a warm-weather training camp bring? Are there any risks? Let's take a look...

Benefits

Training abroad is about more than just enjoying the warmer temperature, although that does genuinely help motivation compared to being faced with a Lennoxtown blizzard.

While a cold climate tightens muscles - naturally increasing injury risk even with a good warm-up routine - the opposite is true of warm weather; a player's muscles will be more supple and the risk of strains, pulls or tears decreases along with it.

Having optimal vitamin D levels helps to improve lower-body strength in particular, yet leading research suggests vitamin D deficiencies remain prevalent across the world.

Athletes, especially those living and working in a country like Scotland, are not immune to this. Taking the chance to top those up with some natural sunlight during the winter months makes logical sense (and was surely another side benefit of the Sydney Super Cup trip too).

It helps also that the daylight hours are generally longer in warmer countries, although in this case it's estimated dusk in the Algarve falls but one hour later than in Glasgow at this time of year.

Psychologically, getting away from normal surroundings can help players - and staff, for the matter - recalibrate their focus onto personal or team objectives in preparation for the all-important second half of the season. 

Essentially, just because the confines around you are a lot more 'fun' or 'a bit different' doesn't mean you're not still learning or improving (think the logic behind a school trip, for instance).

Perhaps the most obvious psychological aspect of taking a squad of players away on a trip is the social side.

The role of camaraderie in team sports is often talked up but little understood. Squad cohesion plays a massive role at successful clubs and one of Postecoglou's main objectives in the Algarve will surely be enhancing the connection between him, his staff and his players both on a footballing and interpersonal level.

Risks

One risk is more a general observation than weather-specific: overtraining.

That is a very real consideration for elite athletes; training too hard can lead to burnout and muscular problems as well as weaken a player's immune system so getting the balance right isn't quite as easy as outsiders might presume.

Linked to this is the perhaps common-sense risk: dehydration and sunburn. The former is likely more concerning than the latter on this occasion given the weather isn't expected to be overly hot, though it would have been a considerable double warning in Sydney over these potential dangers for sure.

Somewhat unheralded given this break is a training trip is that recovery time - both while out there and perhaps more importantly after travelling home - is essential to ensure it has worked in the manner it was intended.

Celtic Way:

On the subject of getting home - the simple stresses of travelling somewhere can have an adverse affect on an athlete.

That said, Celtic are well-versed in the logistics of taking the squad places en masse these days, whether it be the trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County in the Premiership or central Spain to play Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Algarve also operates in the same time zone as Scotland so there are none of the old body clock concerns here.

Case study

Former professional footballer turned manager James McPake spoke to us about his experience of warm-weather training camps as both a player and a coach as well as what he foresees as practical byproducts of the trip from Celtic's perspective.

"Any chance that a club gets to go away is always a positive experience," McPake said. "I include being 17 or 18 with Livingston, 25 at Coventry and then being a manager with Dundee - I've seen all the different aspects of it.

"As a player, you are working hard and you really do eat, sleep and repeat football all the time. You get the odd time when you get a day off and the players usually play golf or have a day by the pool.

"As a manager, for Postecoglou to get time with those Celtic players on the training pitch is precious. That's the most valuable commodity for any football manager: time. It can be on the training pitch or going through analysis with them or the simple stuff like just eating with them at lunch or dinner and getting to know them better... it all helps. The conversations that arise through that give you a greater understanding of each other as players and as a team.

"And players are just happier when they are training in the sun.  Their demeanour is different. You will not hear one player moaning about flying off to a sunny place to train. That is a win for the playing staff alone and - because as a manager you are always looking for the marginal gains and the wee per cents that could make a difference - if you tell players you are going to a good hotel with good food they will work hard and they will respond. It beats staying in Scotland when it's freezing and gets dark at 4pm.

Celtic Way: The Celtic players at Glasgow Airport before departing for the AlgarveThe Celtic players at Glasgow Airport before departing for the Algarve (Image: SNS)

"But they will be getting worked hard by Ange, make no mistake. It will certainly not be a jolly-up. He will be using it to re-emphasise and reinforce his ideas, doing three sessions a day or whatever and working on set-plays and any new signings can be bedded in quickly with their new team-mates straight off the bat. The beauty of it all is that he will have the Celtic players with him 24-7 for a period; it is rare for managers to get that opportunity.

"Trips away are great for that and to help injured players nurse their way back to full match fitness if you can slot in some bounce games as well. If you are topping those players up then the theory is that they can hit the ground running on their return. 

"Celtic using the time in the Algarve to get a friendly game with Rennes in order to help the rehabilitation of Callum McGregor is also a wise move in that regard. I don't see Rennes coming to Celtic Park to take part in a friendly like that in December, do you? So it is mutually beneficial to all parties - and it's not just Callum but any other players needing minutes.

"I would always say that training camps are invaluable no matter what stage of the season you are in. They are more than team bonding sessions and, while the camaraderie is always good, there is a hard work element to them too.

"From a purely football perspective I bet there are a lot of managers - Postecoglou included - who are happy that the World Cup has been held in the winter for that reason. Celtic will reap the benefit of this at the business end of the campaign."

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