Ange Postecoglou insists the rescheduled winter break is only welcome because he hates playing in empty stadiums – not because his team need a rest.
The Celtic boss was irked by the idea that some extended recovery time to overcome injuries is the primary motivator behind support for the revised shutdown.
Postecoglou's severely depleted side overcame St Johnstone 3-1 on Boxing Day with Callum McGregor and Joe Hart among the latest to be ruled out.
Kyogo Furuhashi also limped off with what appeared to be a recurrence of a hamstring injury as a Liel Abada double and a rare Nir Bitton strike beat the Premiership's bottom side at McDiarmid Park.
But with only 500 fans permitted inside the stadium, as per new Covid restrictions, Postecoglou admitted he didn't enjoy the victory.
"The break's come at the right time because I don't like to play in empty stadiums, mate," he told Sky Sports after his team's final outing until January 17. "I don't know why people confuse the two.
"We didn't want to keep playing not because of any other reason.
"If anybody enjoyed today's game in here then, I'm sorry, they understand a different football game than I do.
"I like supporters here, I don't care if they're all away supporters, that's what the game's all about.
"I'm glad we've stopped. There's no guarantee they'll be back in when we resume but at least we're giving it a chance.
"I don't know why people want to dismiss the effect that supporters have on our game. I assume everyone wants to play in packed houses, otherwise we may as well play in our back yards."
He continued: "I don't like it, as I said. I'm super happy with how the boys went about it today but did I enjoy the game? No.
"I had a season of it in Japan and I just don't think it's the same game. People need to realise it's the supporters who make the game, create the atmosphere and those special moments.
"I don't think there'd be any player or manager who enjoys it."
