It has been another week of hard graft as Lennoxtown as the Celtic squad look to continue in their winning ways.
It is a trip to Tannadice for Ange Postecoglou and his men this weekend as they face Dundee United on Sunday. The Hoops will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent league record after four victories out of four so far this season. On the other hand, United will be keen to throw a spanner in the works after a disappointing season both domestically and on their Europan travels so far this term. Jack Ross's side have just one point on the board as they welcome the champions to their home turf.
But it won't just be domestic duties dominating the thoughts around the training ground, with this week seeing Celtic find out who they will line up against as they make their return to the Champions League group stage. Here are some of the things Record Sport spotted as the Hoops got down the business this week...
Listen up, lads
The respect the Celtic players have for their boss is pretty evident both on and off the field. When Ange talks, they listen. And that was pretty evident as the boss issued instructions on the sidelines of the training pitch in Lennoxtown. The Postecoglou effect certainly worked well last season, and with four wins from four so far this term it looks like that positive push is continuing.
There is a huge task awaiting the Hoops shortly, however. After Thursday's Champions League draw, Celtic now know who they will have to trump if they want to secure their spot in the competition's last 16. The Hoops have been drawn against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.
With some key additions to the side, the boss will be hoping his men are more than ready when their 2022/23 European adventure begins on September 7 or 8. Fixtures will be announced in due course.
No hard feelings either way
There looks to be no hard feelings what-so-ever between Ange Postecoglou and James McCarthy, despite the continuing Celtic exit rumours surrounding the midfielder. The 31-year-old joined the Parkhead side on a four-year deal last summer but has only made six starts and 16 substitute appearances since. And the arrival of Aaron Mooy and the return from injury of David Turnbull have landed 31-year-old a further blow.
However, amid the links, Ange Postecoglou insisted McCarthy's departure was something that is currently "not on his radar". And the duo were snapped sharing an embrace during training at Lennoxtown. Could this mean the midfielder is here to stay? That can't be said for sure, but one thing that can be said for certain is that time is ticking.
New man in town
Celtic's latest signing Sead Haksabanovic got himself right involved at Lennoxtown. The versatile player, who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder, arrived this week to become Ange Postecoglou's eighth addition of the summer. The Hoops boss was vocal about bringing in a man who could slot into different areas of the pitch, and the Montenegro international can do just that.
The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal, making the move to Glasgow's east end after Rubin Kazan reluctantly allowed their star man to seek an exit – just 12 months after signing him for £5.5million.
And he looks to be fitting in pretty well as he is put through his paces by the Aussie and his coaching staff. He will need to impress if he is in with a chance of minutes on Sunday, though. Postecoglou has stuck with his team, and why not after four consecutive wins. But a bit of competition is more than healthy as the Hoops look towards Champions League football, with the likes of Real Madrid awaiting.
Thirsty work
Jota is not only hot on the wing but he looks to be getting a hell of a sweat on at Lennoxtown. You'd think the Portuguese man would be used to the heat, but the Glasgow summer is clearly getting to him! There have been a couple of water breaks required during games this term, but those days are likely behind us for the rest of the 2022/23 campaign.
All jokes aside, the 23-year-old can fair put a shift in on the park so there is no doubt he puts the effort in during training too.The star has two goals under his belt already this season and will be looking to add to that tally on Tannadice Park this Sunday.
Aye, aye, captain
Callum McGregor will be hoping to help keep to Hoops on track, continuing their winning momentum and taking that into Europe in the coming weeks. The skipper looked to be leading by example as he got down to work at Lennoxtown this week.
The Hoops captain said that he fancies a crack at La Liga giants Real Madrid as he leads his side out against the cream of the continent. And as if by magic, his wish was UEFA's command with both sides taking a spot in Group F.
The Scotland midfielder is relishing his side's return to European football's top table after five years' absence, insisting the the Parkhead men won't be running scared.
Prior to the draw, he said: “When the games come around everyone will look forward to it and hopefully there will be some special nights.”
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