The countdown to the new season is well underway, and Celtic supporters now have four exciting pre-season fixtures to look forward to before the competitive action begins.
The Hoops kick off their preparations on Tuesday 7 July, travelling to Dublin to take on Shelbourne at Tolka Park. Kick-off is 6:00pm, with the match available live on Premier Sports 2 and Celtic TV.
A week later, on Tuesday 14 July, Celtic head to Portugal to face Sporting CP at the Estádio Algarve. The match kicks off at 5:30pm and will be shown live on Celtic TV.
The action then switches to Paradise on Saturday 18 July, when Middlesbrough are the visitors. Kick-off is 3:00pm, with supporters again able to watch live on Celtic TV.
The standout fixture comes on Saturday 25 July, as European giants AC Milan visit Celtic Park. The match also kicks off at 3:00pm and will be shown live on Celtic TV.
For Celtic fans, these fixtures are about far more than fitness. They offer the first real chance to see how the squad is shaping up ahead of another massive season. If new signings arrive in the coming weeks, supporters will be eager to see them pull on the famous green and white hoops for the first time.
The clash with AC Milan, in particular, should provide the perfect test before competitive football returns. Facing one of Europe’s biggest clubs will show exactly where Celtic stand and what still needs to be improved.
There is still plenty of work to do in the transfer market, but with these fixtures fast approaching, excitement is beginning to build. Hopefully, by the time AC Milan arrive at Celtic Park, supporters will be looking at a stronger squad, ready to attack another domestic campaign and take on the challenge of Europe.
