WELL, that’s it. Now that the Hogmanay hangover has cleared, the realisation will kick in.

We have seen our last Premiership action for a month. For the fans of our top 12 clubs, the build-up to the Scottish Cup fourth round ties starts here.

The SPFL announced the reintroduction of the winter break alongside the changes to the Betfred Cup in the summer as the new campaign took on a new look.

The Hampden hierarchy certainly got that big call right. There were few grumbles over how the Challenge Cup was run and the November final was welcomed.

But the decision to put the top flight in a deep freeze for three weeks may not be looked upon as favourably in time.

Scottish football has not had a winter break since the 2002-2003 season and there wasn’t exactly widespread clamour for a shutdown once again.

Clubs across Europe have downed tools over the winter for many years but the festive fixture list is one of the highlights of the Scottish schedule.

The games have come thick and fast in the last couple of weeks and the Hogmanay clashes were the ideal way to bring the curtain down on 2016.

It is just a shame that we now need to wait another four weeks to see a ball being kicked in the top flight and it remains to be seen what tangible purpose the break actually serves.

It is a quandary for managers across the division. How do they keep their players fit and match sharp but still give them the rest that the shutdown is designed to ensure they get?

With finances tight, few will get the chance to jet off in search of the sunshine. That is what Celtic and Aberdeen will do, though.

Brendan Rodgers described the winter break as ‘massive’ for his side and the Hoops will head to Dubai to gear up for their cruise towards the Premiership title and their bid for Treble glory.

Dons boss Derek McInnes will also take his squad to the United Arab Emirates for a few days but Rangers’ excursion will be a short and sweet trip to the continent.

Mark Warburton’s side will face RB Leipzig on Sunday, January 15 before returning to Auchenhowie to prepare for the Scottish Cup clash with Motherwell the following weekend.

The shutdown leaves supporters of all top flight clubs with weekends to fill. Some could choose to take in a lower league game, some will tune to the action south of the border and some will just cross off the days on the calendar until they can get their hat and scarf looked out again.

The Premier League has so far resisted calls to introduce a break as they, like clubs here, make the most of the hectic yet entertaining run of matches during the last couple of weeks of the year.

But it makes more sense for England’s big hitters to take a winter hiatus than it does for the clubs in the Premiership because they are not under the same time constraints as our sides in the summer and they also have to consider the impact on their national team in terms of major finals every couple of years.

Gers boss Warburton has been one of the most vociferous critics of the idea as he casts his eye to potential Europa League qualifiers.

The league will finish on May 21, the Scottish Cup final is on May 28 and Scotland host England on June 11. Just 17 days later, Scotland’s representatives will start their Euro campaign.

Given how important the early rounds in continental action are to our clubs, they should be given as much time to prepare as possible.

So rather than taking three weeks off in January, why not keep playing and finish the season early in May?

That gives players an extended break before they return to action ahead of the Champions League and Europa League fixtures and the new Premiership campaign.

The first few matches of the season can shape the months that follow for a club and the SPFL should have done what it could to give our sides the best chance of European qualification. A January shutdown isn’t the answer to that problem.

Clubs may be grateful for the break when they get it, but as one issue has been solved another has been created. The winter shutdown could well be a source of discontent.