BRENDAN RODGERS faces a two-game Italian job as he prepares Celtic for the new season.
The manager will take the champions to Como in July for a four-match tournament when they face the hosts and Dutch giants Ajax.
The Serie A club are likely to have former Hoops loanee Alex Valle in their line-up after the Spanish left-back, who kicked off last term at Parkhead after agreeing a temporary switch, returned to Barcelona in January before moving to Como.
EURO STAR…Alex Valle in action for Celtic during their 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League in Italy in October.
The Under-21 international defender impressed boss Cesc Fabregas, the former Spain and Arsenal midfielder, and there are hopes of a £5million permanent deal in the summer.
Kieran Tierney is likely to be making one of his first appearances following his July 1 return from the London club.
Before the matches in picturesque Lombardy at the local side’s 16,600-capacity stadium, the Hoops are due to play Cork in Ireland on Tuesday July 8.
They will then fly to Portugal for an eight-day pre-season training camp, which is expected to include a match against Sporting Lisbon in Faro.
Rodgers’ men return home to play Newcastle United at Parkhead on Saturday July 19.
There is a two-week gap before the Premiership kicks off on August 2, with the Hoops’ Champions League play-off almost three weeks later.
Celtic have filled the void by agreeing to play in Como with an anticipated opening encounter against the hosts on Thursday July 24 and Ajax two days later with final details yet to be announced by the club.
