“Once you drive through the gates, you’re back to work,” Callum McGregor | OneFootball

Exactly 34 days on since Celtic’s Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen and the Hoops returned to Lennoxtown on Friday morning to officially hit the reset button…

Whilst the players enjoyed a month off, Brendan Rodgers and his squad wasted no time getting back to work with the start of pre-season preparations.

Holiday relaxation quickly gave way to high-intensity drills, as the Scottish champions reported back to Lennoxtown for the usual fitness tests and getting the legs moving again.

The majority of the first-team squad, excluding those who and still are representing their countries, took part in the session – among them new goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who The Celtic Star spoke to on Tuesday following his unveiling at Celtic Park.

It was an eventful day for the Celtic social media team yesterday as the Hoops introduced their newest signing from FC Nordsjaelland Benjamin Nygren and revealed their freshly designed third kit.

Celtic’s new signing Benjamin Nygren at Celtic Park. Photo Celtic FC

Nygren is expected to join up with his new teammates over the weekend as he begins settling into new beginnings in Glasgow.

Captain Callum McGregor was also one of the players taking to Lennoxtown on Friday as preparations for the upcoming season got underway. Having been through countless pre-seasons, the Celtic skipper knows exactly what is required and is now focused on gearing up for the challenges of the new campaign.

Speaking to Celtic TV, McGregor said: “Yeah, obviously it’s been a long summer. Longer that what I am used to anyway. But over the last few days, you are just eager to get back in and get back on it. You always have that excitement about what a new season can bring, with the opportunities and possibilities.

“So, it’s nice to get away, refresh and take stock a little bit. Once you drive through the gate this morning, you are back to work, and the serious stuff starts now. So, we’re looking forward to it!”

Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers celebrate the league win. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, 17 May 2025 Photo Robert Perry/Shutterstock

Calmac added: “I might be a little bit different. I quite enjoy pre-season. I was up at 7 o’clock this morning, ready to go and champing at the bit to get out the door. I think nowadays, pre-season the bedding in period is probably a little bit easier, like getting straight into running to be sick.

“The game has changed a little bit since then. It’s the guys in the medical department who do all the screening to make sure everybody is okay. We had a light break-in session this afternoon, and then on Saturday the double sessions start. So, ask me again on Monday.”

Celtic kick-off their pre-season matches with an encounter against Scottish Championship side Queens Park at Lesser Hampden next Friday.

Launch of the Inaugural Cork Super Cup, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork 3 3 2025 Cork hurler Rob Downey and Celtic FC player Adam Idah. Photo INPHO Morgan Treacy

Following that the Hoops will travel to Cork, Algarve and Como to compete in a series of friendly games which will prepare them up for their Scottish Premiership and European campaign beginning in August with a flag day opener against St Mirren and a vital Champions League Play-off tie at the end of August plus of course a trip to Ibrox.

Bet you can’t wait?

Conor Spence

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