The business of preparing a Premiership title defence starts in earnest for Celtic as they got their pre-season training camp underway.
Ange Postecoglou has taken his squad to Austria for a week's training that will include some friendly games as well. They take on Weiner Viktoria tomorrow evening before facing Rapid Vienna this Saturday. There's a fresher look to the squad that's travelled, although some familiar faces have returned on a permanent basis. Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers turned their loans into long-term deals, while Alexandro Bernabei and Benjamin Siegrist have also been added.
There's a new voice for the players to hear from as well. Harry Kewell has teamed up with compatriot Postecoglou as he grows his backroom staff. The Aussie has been appointed first-team coach and will be a big part of training going forward. One player who was thought to be on his way last week has travelled. Christopher Jullien looked destined to depart, but he's rejoined the squad after a move to Germany fell through last week.
Without qualifiers to negotiate, Celtic can also start to plan for the Champions League group stages. The later start to continental competition will come as a welcome change and will no doubt be a hot topic of conversation this week as fitness foundations are laid. Here's five things Record Sport spotted from the first session of the week.
Kewell customer
The Aussie has joined Postecoglou’s coaching staff ahead of the new season and he’s straight to work during the pre-season camp. Kewell brings a wealth of experience from his playing career after playing at the very highest level with Leeds and Liverpool, as well as representing the Socceroos in the World Cup.
After arriving in Glasgow without any of his previous coaching staff, Ange is slowly but surely surrounding himself with more familiar faces. Mark Lawwell arrived as head of recruitment from the City Football Group earlier in the summer, although his name will be familiar to everyone connected with the club.
Kewell’s remit at Celtic won't be limited to one position, but former Dundee United defender Mark Connolly believes the wide men will benefit the most. He played under the Aussie during his time in charge of Crawley Town, and gave Record Sport the inside track on Kewell’s coaching style.
Bernabei gets stuck in
The Argentine completed his move from Lanus to Celtic last week and is already in the thick of the action with his new teammates. The 21-year-old will need some time to adapt to Scottish football and the week in Austria will help him get to know his new colleagues.
The left back saw red before departing South America for the Hoops, receiving a straight red card for headbutting an opponent. That aggression will be an asset if channelled correctly but Postecoglou will be keen to ensure the new recruit doesn't fall foul of referees.
It may just be training, but the Aussie coach demands constant intensity from his players. Stephen Welsh wasn;t holding back in today’s session, but Bernabei is seemingly made of stern stuff and the physical side of the game shouldn’t phase him.
Jota leads the line
The sight Celtic fans have been hoping to see all summer. A permanent move for the Portuguese winger was on the cards for months, but started to drag on a bit after the window opened.
But Jota finally put pen to paper last week and is now back amongst the squad for training in Austria. He’s had himself quite the summer after being snapped on holiday with teammate Carl Starfelt before attending a Portuguese music festival.
But it was all safe in the knowledge that he’d be returning to Parkhead in a £6.5million switch from Benfica. Now it’s about reproducing the form he showed last year that helped fire the Hoops to the Scottish Premiership title.
He was front and centre listening to Ange Postecoglou. No doubt he will be looking to reward to Australian's faith in him next term.
Chris not missing
It looked to all the world as if Christopher Jullien’s time at Celtic had come to an end last week. The French defender jetted out to Germany to hold signing talks with Schalke ahead of a proposed loan deal with an option to buy.
But an issue during the centre back’s medical mant the Bundesliga club pulled the plug on the deal. A long-term knee injury kept Jullien out for over a year, only making his return to action earlier in 2022.
And Die Kongisblauen must have seen something they didn't like, so he’s back with Celtic for the time being.Other clubs were interested and could still make a move, but an good showing in Austria may just persuade Ange Postecoglou to keep him around a bit longer, although his contract expiring next summer means a transfer now makes sense.
Benji takes the dive
And Celtic fans will hope to see plenty of those from the back-up stopper next term.
Joe Hart will be tough to dislodge from the number one spot at Celtic, but Benjamin Siegrist insists he’s going to give it everything he’s got. The former Dundee United ‘keeper signed a four-year deal after leaving Tannadice at the end of his contract.
He’s ostensibly arrived as back-up, and while any number two has to say they’re here to play, Hart is the obvious first choice. However, Siegrist has shown his quality during his time on Tayside and would be a guaranteed start at the majority of other Premiership clubs.
HIs time will likely come in the medium to long term given Hart is 35 and there will have been some future planning involved in his capture. But for now, he’ll be there to push the former England number one all the way in training, starting this week.
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