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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

5 things we spotted at Celtic training before Rapid Vienna as David Turnbull stakes his claim amid transfer talk

Celtic's pre-season training camp in Austria is well underway and Ange Postecoglou will already have a good idea of how the squad is shaping up ahead of next season.

The Australian has acted fast in the transfer market and that means Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers are back for a full pre-season, while new signings Benji Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei had the chance to get up to speed ahead of the return of the Scottish Premiership kick-off. However, the deals are far from done with a midfield addition top of the agenda.

Before any new arrivals come through the doors at Celtic Park, the current crop of talent have their chance to make a case fo a big role at the club next season. The likes of Albian Ajeti, Christopher Jullien and David Turnbull will all be hoping for more minutes against Rapid Vienna after the 7-0 rout of Wiener Victoria in the opening pre-season fixture.

Before the second game of the campaign against the Austrian side, Record Sport takes a look at the session and five things that stood out.

Make yourself big

He may have missed a chunk of last season, but Kyogo made a huge impact last season. He finished the club's top scorer despite an injury hit campaign and will look for more of the same next term.

He brought smiles to the faces of plenty of Celtic fans last season with his goal return, and Kyogo is already doing the same for his teammates during pre-season. The joker saw the funny side of an exercise as Ange Postecoglou put the squad through their paces ahead of their second game of the Austria training camp.

(SNS Group)

He spread his arms wide to make himself big - and is maybe getting ready to cause major problems for Scottish Premiership defenders again next season. Whatever he is up to, the action got a rise out of Josip Juranovic, Giorgios Giakoumakis and Reo Hatate.

Like a Boss-un

Bosun Lawal has been promoted from the Colt team for pre-season and is looking to grab the attention of Postecoglou in Vienna. He did his chances of a call-up to first-team action no harm with an impressive showing against Wiener Victoria in the first game of the Austrian tour.

(SNS Group)

He continued to look at home among the top team as he completed a passing exercise alongside skipper Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley. And the versatile 19-year-old will hope to be in the squad for the first game of the Scottish Premiership season against Aberdeen.

Either way, the former Watford kid looks like he has a big future at Celtic Park.

When Harry met Ange

Ange Postecoglou has been heaping praise on Harry Kewell since he joined the Celtic coaching team. The Australian has stated his fellow countryman's "energy" can take the club up a level.

Ange Postecoglou (L) and Harry Kewell during Celtic training in Vienna (SNS Group)

The pair appear to gave quickly formed a bond behind the scenes at Lennoxtown, and on the pre-season tour of Vienna. The duo were snapped sharing a laugh ahead of the clash with Rapid Vienna.

We're not sure what the punchline was that got a reaction out of the Liverpool man. However, Ange will hope that the friendship proves key in improving the squad - with wingers like Jota, Mikey Johnston and Liel Abada among those who could learn from experienced Kewell.

Cal to action

There is a light-hearted mood in Celtic training ahead of the new campaign. It's easy to see why after a Double-winning campaign last term, and with the return of Champions League football this term.

(SNS Group)

Captain Callum McGregor was all smiles as he led his teammates through a training drill. He may have played in almost 70 games for both club and country last term, but he was beaming to be back with his teammates.

Having lifted the Premiership and Premier Sports Cup last season, McGregor will be looking to keep the good vibes going. A good pre-season showing against Rapid Vienna can only help that.

Ready to kick on

David Turnbull 's impact last season was hampered by a popped hamstring ended his Premier Sports Cup Final and subsequently robbed him of a significant chunk of the campaign. The Scotland cap has then had to sit on the sidelines while the likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O'Riley arrive and make their claim for a starting spot.

The midfielder looked focussed during the session in Vienna as he looked to make a claim for a place in the XI on the opening day of the campaign. The 22-year-old has plenty to offer Celtic with a full pre-season under his belt, having been rotated in and out of the side during the final weeks of last season.

David Turnbull in pre-season training with Celtic in Vienna (SNS Group)

It's a crowded area with Postecoglou looking to bring in another addition in the centre of the part. With the likes of Vinicius Souza and Mohammad Abu Fani linked with a transfer to Parkhead, Turnbull will look to put a case forward before any new competition comes in the door.

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