Brendan Rodgers return to Celtic for a second stint as manager has not got off to the easiest of starts. They have already lost one of their most important players from the past two seasons in the form of Jota, with the Portuguese winger leaving to join Al-Ittihad. And now, their pre-season plans have been handed a blow as well.
With Wolves pulling out of their scheduled friendly set to be played in South Korea, there were question marks surrounding Celtic’s opponents on the tour. And now, it looks like it will not be taking place at all.
Celtic are set to go to Japan this month, to part in two pre-season friendlies. But it looks like they have decided to pull out of the South Korean leg of their tour of Asia.
As reported by Football Scotland, a club statement read:
"“It is with deep regret that Celtic Football Club has been forced to withdraw from our match in South Korea.“The Hoops were originally due to play English Premier League side, Wolves, later this month, but numerous financial and logistical operations were not met by the tour promoter, and after weeks of delays, the club has taken the difficult decision to terminate the contract and pull out of the tour.“The club and the players were excited about visiting South Korea and giving our fans the opportunity to see the team, but unfortunately, due to factors entirely outwith our control, we have been left with no other option than to withdraw from the match.“Brendan Rodgers’ side will head to Japan for two matches against Yokohama F. Marinos (July 19) and Gamba Osaka (July 22) before returning to Lennoxtown to continue their pre-season preparations.”"
Celtic release statement as club’s plans are cancelled
The situation is not ideal to say the very least. It leaves a big gap in their pre-season preparations and one can only hope that the club are able to arrange a game or two in that period of time, in order to continue building the fitness of the players and getting them match-ready.
Celtic already have Oh Hyeon-gyu in their squad. And they have also been heavily linked with a move for Yang Hyun-jun of Gangwon FC lately as well.
Thus, a pre-season tour of South Korea would have been great and would have helped grow Celtic’s fanbase there further. But it was not to be.
Celtic have turned up for pre-season already. This one will be even more important for the club, as it gives Rodgers a chance to have a look at the players available to him, and figure out who fit into his plans and who don’t.