The Celtic Bhoys
Fansided

Celtic pre-season Champions League build up perfectly scheduled

By Martin Griffiths

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 12: Scott Brown of Celtic walk out onto the pitch during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 12: Scott Brown of Celtic walk out onto the pitch during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Celtic are back in pre-season training as they prepare for their Champions League first qualifying round match against FK Sarajevo.

The players landed in Austria yesterday and have already had their first training session ahead of their first warm-up match against Austrian Fourth division side FC Pinkafield on Wednesday.

This is as comfortable as it gets and it will give the players an opportunity to get back into the groove of things.

On Saturday the Hoops play their second warm-up game against Wiener Sport-Club who have just suffered relegation from the Austrian second division.

They wrap up the mini-tour against Bundesliga outfit St Gallen next Tuesday before they return to Scotland in what should be a competitive match-up.

In between the Champions league games, Celtic will play French Ligue 1 side Rennes before the second leg on July 17th at Parkhead.

Schedule

June 26 FC Pinkafield – Friendly
June 29 Wiener Sport-Club
July 2 St Gallen – Friendly
July 9 FK Sarajevo Away Champions League
July 13 Stade Rennais – Friendly
July 17 FK Sarajevo Home Champions League

Captain Scott Brown, who is celebrating his 34th birthday, called the first training session in Austria a great birthday present following a double session, per the official website.

“We had a double session today which was a great birthday present,” said the 34-year-old. “The pitch is good, the weather is lovely and it’s what pre-season is all about – us getting fit, strong and ready for the games that are coming thick and fast now.

“Training in this heat is hard but it’s what we need to do. In some games in the Champions League and qualifiers, we’ve been away and it’s been 34 and 35 degrees and we’ve had to play through it. That’s been hard but that pressing mentality is something we try to enforce as much as we can. That’s what we’re here for, to try and get as fit as possible in the next couple of weeks.”

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – MAY 04: Manager of Celtic Neil Lennon walks on the pitch before the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium on May 04, 2019 in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – MAY 04: Manager of Celtic Neil Lennon walks on the pitch before the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium on May 04, 2019 in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

Brown further commented on the return of the international players who will not be featuring in the first friendly but will be available from the second game onwards.

“It’s been great to have the international boys back,” said the Hoops captain.

“It’s been a quiet dressing room without them. There’s some great lads in there and some top-quality players so it’s been great to have them back.

“They’re not going to play in the first game but they’ll be up and ready for the game on Saturday, so they’re just making sure they’re getting a touch of the ball and some running before we go into the games.

“For me it’s been good to see the young ones coming through and for them to see the way we press and play. It’s good for them to have that learning curve as well.”

Next. Celtic set on signing bargain basement international. dark

Neil Lennon now has a full squad at his disposal and reading Brown’s comments you get the feeling that everything is perfectly set up for the game against Sarajevo in two weeks time.

Home/Celtic FC News