Excitement is brewing at Celtic as the Bhoys’ pre-season tour of the United States has started to coincide with movement on incomings.
Brendan Rodgers takes his squad Stateside knowing Kasper Schmeichel’s arrival is imminent subject to his medical today; meanwhile, Viljami Sinisalo could be announced any minute following pictures of him flying out with the group in official training wear.
Furthermore, Paulo Bernardo’s potential Celtic return looks to be well down the line. The Bhoys have agreed a fee of £3.5 million with Benfica for the Portugal Under-21 international, who will now seek to find an agreement on personal terms ahead of a switch.
With plates spinning on the recruitment front, the Bhoys are set on maximising their intense preparations for the new campaign, something club captain Callum McGregor is excited to spearhead.
Callum McGregor on Celtic’s pre-season tour of the United States
McGregor has signalled his excitement at being able to play in front of Celtic’s ‘massive fan base’ in the United States while taking part in pre-season tour matches against DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
He is also intent on the Bhoys reaching their potential in all three fixtures, not just being there to celebrate the brand of one of the world’s most storied football institutions.
The captain stated [Celtic FC]: “I think it’s great that the club are going over. We have a massive fan base in the US as well, so it will be great to see everyone.
They are always up watching the games, and celebrating when the team have success, so it’s brilliant for them to see us live. It’s important that we go there and give a good account of ourselves and show them why they support Celtic and why it’s right for them to back us, and believe in us, so we’ve got an important job to do there as well with Celtic as the brand.
“And there are some brilliant games – Man City, Chelsea, DC United – all in great stadiums, all in great cities. So it’s a really exciting time and I can’t wait to get on the plane.”
Celtic enter tunnel vision mode ahead of competitive action
Despite the trip to the US representing a unique opportunity for the club, the players know they are there to work. This is something Rodgers has already reinforced amid comments demanding more from Bosun Lawal and Odin Thiago Holm in pre-season.
With match sharpness as the main aim, there is a larger picture at play. Celtic need to be up to scratch when Flag Day comes around against Kilmarnock on August 4th, which will also include drip-feeding new arrivals minutes to acclimatise to the manager’s tactical framework.
Skipper McGregor has already earmarked the Scottish Premiership title as the Bhoys’ central priority this term. Time spent on the training field and in matches while in the States will be crucial to renewing the Hoops’ collective appetite for success, not that the squad need much motivation given what is at stake.
