CALLUM McGREGOR has welcomed Ange Postecoglou’s new Bhoys as Celtic jetted out to Austria for their 10-day training camp.
The cultured midfielder, who led the team to the Premiership title and the Premier Sports League Cup in his first season as captain, praised the early work of the Hoops hierarchy in getting four signings over the line so early in July.
Filipe Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers are back in place, this time in a permanent capacity following their joint £12.5million deals from Benfica and Spurs respectively after last term’s convincing loan spells.
PRIZE GUY…Callum McGregor parades the newly-won Premiership silverware after Celtic’s 6-0 victory over Motherwell at a rocking Parkhead on May 14.
Argentinian left-back Alexandro Bernabei, a £3.75million recruit from top-flight Lanus, and Swiss keeper Benji Siegrist, a free transfer from Dundee United, have also joined and others are certain to follow as Postecoglou continues to strengthen the squad for the rigorous tests that lie ahead.
New first-team coach Harry Kewell, who arrived last month with Stephen McManus moving to the B set-up, will also be involved in the preparatory work in the Austrian mountains.
Asked about what he thought about the club’s transfer business, McGregor replied: “Excellent. I know the manager was really keen on getting the boys from last year here and having spoken to them over the summer they were desperate to come back.
“It’s a huge club and the boys are buzzing to be a part of it. The club have done their business early and, hopefully, we can add one or two more faces as well which would be great. This season we have to go again and reach another level.
“That’s the challenge for the players and I’m sure the manager will be setting that challenge.”
RARIN’ TO GO…Callum McGregor returns to Lennoxtown before flying out with the Hoops for Austria.
McGregor, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It’s great to be back, exciting feeling coming back for the new season. We got some big signings in early doors which is great, good for the group, and some new faces, as well.
“We’re really looking forward to the pre-season trip in Austria. It gives us the chance to go out there, remote location, and get some really good work done.
“It lets the lads live with each other and start to bond and be together, so pre-season is a vital time of the season. You’re getting your football fitness in and the manager has got the chance to work tactically with you both individually and with the group, what he wants from the team and the intensity he wants the team to play with.”
The champions’ first friendly game is against SC Wiener Viktoria on Wednesday, then Rapid Vienna on Saturday afternoon before a third outing against Czech side Banik Ostrava four days later.
Celtic’s first game at Parkhead is against Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers a week on Saturday and they face Norwich City at the same venue the following weekend.
The competitive action kicks off on Sunday July 31 when the Premiership starts and Aberdeen will provide the opposition on Flag Day.
