“I didn’t make my first appearance until December after an op on my ankle so that didn’t give me a lot of time to get up to speed and really buy into what the manager wants from you.
“Now I feel up to speed and know exactly what he wants from me.
“Although you want to be playing every week, training is such a high standard that it helps the boys who aren’t playing.
“It means you’re ready when called upon and it’s an enjoyable place to be right now.
Fans and players alike may soon find that the Celtic Park they have grown used to will have a very different look if the club gets its way. While the historic stadium itself won’t change, what surrounds it will thanks to a proposed multi-million pound massive development project. This project will feature a museum and a hotel right next to the stadium, incorporating it in the overall design. It’s being touted as an expansion plan rather than a renovation.
Straight from the Club
Celtic FC has gone ahead with the plans and submitted the proposal to the Glasgow City Council. The Scottish Champions’ Parkhead ground has long since been a focal point for supporters and football tourists alike. The expansion includes plans for a large museum, a ticketing facility, a hotel, and a retail store. The development is meant to generate new interest in the club, as well as continued support from fans and those living in the Parkhead area.
These plans have been in the works for quite some time now, with the Celtic FC giving plenty of thought to the development. This is meant to be the first stage in the process, which means there is many years’ worth of work ahead. Even though the plans are complete, there are investments to be gathered and other challenges.
All the Details
Of course the development plan contains a number of details that give a glimpse into how this may play out. It is proposed that the hotel would be based on London Road. This would be right outside the main stand of the park. The idea is that it will bring in tourists and help to regenerate this area of the city.
The club has also submitted a design sketch and pictures, which show just how they plan to incorporate the existing stadium within the new developments. The overall effect is unique, yet keeps the original stadium as the centre point.
The club has released an official statement about the plans, which says “Celtic aims to be a world-class football club.” They say recent investment is as much for the fans as it is the club.
A Whole New Feel
The idea of a hotel next to the stadium will create a whole new feel. The fact that tourists could stay next door to the action and then escape to their room for a little rest and relaxation is all new. Think about the possibilities. Fans could even book a room, chill out before the game, enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant, do a little shopping, and relax in the hotel lounge while enjoying a little online gaming such as bingo (the question of where to play has been revealed in a survey); it creates a whole new vibe.
The First Step in Many
The plans are now in the hands of Glasgow City Council who will decide the fate of this development. Should the plans be approved, this will be a significant first step in many.
