Celtic are back! Well, quite a few players are anyway as they gather for training at Lennoxtown today. Naturally, a few international players will have a later return date given their involvement in the World Cup and friendlies. The return has been a reality check on several points as we see who is there and missing at this stage.
The coaching team are back with the same guys who did so well last season under Martin O’Neill, but without Gavin Strachan, who has joined West Brom. That too is a bit of a fraught point. It seemed to be a long, drawn-out affair to get the backroom staff confirmed and announced. Or maybe the board misread the fans' eagerness for the details.
Back to the players, though, and as yet there are no surprises. It’s a shame that we haven’t yet seen Kelechi Iheanacho or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sign new deals. Neither was obviously present at the training session on Friday. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a deal, but hopes of getting them back for an early start to preseason have faded.
Celtic reality check as players return for training
Michel-Ange Balikwisha was there. That’s no shock, but definitely a point to ponder. He had a disastrous season and slipped out of the Celtic matchday squads. He also missed out on a chance to join the DR Congo squad at the World Cup.
Previously, Balikwisha had stripped all references and images relating to Celtic from his Instagram account. But he has added a few since and has been posting clips showing that he has been working hard to stay fit during the summer. Maybe he is hopeful of making an impact this season.
O’Neill or Shaun Maloney may now have more time to work out if the player can be incorporated back into match days. They didn’t have that luxury or games to test Balikwisha out in that frenetic and high-pressure last few months. Preseason, friendlies, and a hefty rotation of players do give that opportunity. Although it may be a make-or-break situation for the player and a swift sale if the signs aren’t good.
With players back, a manager and his coaching staff in place, the focus will be back on the playing squad again. The return to training gives a few reminders of returning players from loan spells and also of the gaps left by loans that have expired. Although Celtic’s loan signings were on the whole disappointing so the gaps aren’t huge.
We may also see a few more players making an exit, Arne Engles to name but one. It’s going to be a busy few weeks for departures, but hopefully for some exciting new arrivals. Past transfer windows have been very disappointing; we have to hope for a lot better this time.
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