Premiership champions Celtic brought down the curtain on their pre-season tour with a win that helped to steal the show at Banik Ostrava’s centenary celebrations.
Ange Postecoglou ’s squad have put in the hard work and can now look forward to "their homecoming” on Saturday, when Blackburn Rovers are the visitors at Celtic Park. The Hoops side spent most of their 10 days overseas at their Austrian training camp in Bad Erlach before they finished up in the Czech Republic.
Yes, the players might have got the nightly treat of watching Love Island but this trip was all about strengthening relationships within the Celtic dressing room and helping the new players bed into their new surroundings. It proved a worthwhile exercise as the boss broke his international players back in after their late return. The results at this point in pre-season aren’t the be all and end all, but they would have helped boost confidence.
Celtic scored 14 goals in three games and showed going forward they are ready and can be even more clinical than they were last season, with wins over Wiener Viktoria and Ostrava and an exciting 3-3 draw with Rapid Vienna.
Raise the bar
For Ange Postecoglou it is about building on what his double-winning team did last year and trying to improve them everyday, both individually and collectively. That is evident on the training field. Everyone knows the way Postecoglou wants his side to play. He wants them to get the ball down and pass it with a purpose. His training sessions are quick and sharp but with high tempo and energy. The message was always clear from the manager on the training pitch: “Sloppy passing, tidy it up.”
The slick movement and attacking play that we have become accustomed to was there to see in all three games. Postecoglou knows his side will need to improve because there will be a renewed domestic challenge and then there is the group stage of the Champions League. Also, with no qualifiers, Postecoglou admitted he wanted to take friendlies in home grounds where there was that edge and competitiveness. He certainly got that in Austria and Czech Republic.
Hart's new role
It is clear that Joe Hart is a big player and character within the Celtic dressing room. He was a big influence on the team last season and when Callum McGregor wasn’t there he wore the armband. He hasn’t lost any of his will to win, whether that is a match or a simple training ground penalty kick competition. You got more of an insight of Hart’s influence on the pitch against Wiener Vienna at Celtic’s training ground.
From the first minute to just before he came off he was always shouting and encouraging his teammates. There were times that he was running out of his box to have a quick word. The more the game progressed Hart would come off his line and play as a sweeper and on other occasions he would almost be like a third central defender, to add an extra passing option. Yes, he was nearly caught out against Ostrava when Jota gave away a sloppy pass but Postecoglou’s message on that front is also clear - he wants all his players to be even more aggressive on the ball. The issues will come if they are slack in possession.
Kew to impress
The Australian legend has been added to Postecoglou’s backroom staff this summer. The former Leeds and Liverpool star has a big reputation but it was clear on this trip he was taking everything in and will then adapt to what the manager and the players need. Kewell is a manager in his own right and in time will want to get back to the frontline and this spell at Celtic could be invaluable in him doing that.
The Celtic players certainly spoke highly about Kewell and the belief is that he can add an extra dynamic to what is already a rather frightening frontline. Speaking to the players he has already given them an insight into what it takes to make an impact in the Champions League.
Feel the Bern
The Argentina defender got his first taste of things as a Celtic player. The left-back will now fight out with Greg Taylor for that top-team slot. The new signing from Lanus is fit and hit the ground running after moving earlier this month. It is clear that Bernabei is strong in the tackle but his strength from the early viewings is the way he likes to get forward.
He could be a big weapon especially domestically but against better teams and especially in Europe it could be an issue. There were times on this tour when the opposition got in behind, but he has just made a life-changing move and it will take time to adjust and adapt to his new surroundings.
Run the Juls
The big defender had looked to be on his way out until his move to Schalke collapsed. Postecoglou has made it clear that he will treat every player the same as long as they are at the club. Jullien was given game-time in all three games and for a spell against Wiener Viktoria he was even given the armband. Can he still have a first-team future? That is the question.
The Frenchman is certainly good enough but he needs to show he is over his horrendous injury. He looks fit. There could also be an opportunity for him over the coming games with Carl Starfelt not expected to be available until the start of the season, although Stephen Welsh will also be fighting for that slot. Jullien still remains a big character within the Celtic group but the coming weeks in the transfer front will make for interesting viewing.
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