Celtic's manager, Martin O'Neill, has expressed his expectation that the complete roster of his World Cup-participating athletes will be back on the training grounds by the upcoming week, in anticipation of the new Scottish Premiership season's commencement.
Several pivotal players, including South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun, Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren, Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston, and American defender Auston Trusty, have yet to make an appearance in the club's pre-season fixtures. However, Scottish left-back Kieran Tierney and Tunisian winger Sebastian Tounekti both featured in the recent 2-2 friendly draw against AC Milan, indicating their readiness for the upcoming season.
O'Neill provided updates on the returning players, stating that Trusty is scheduled to return on Monday, having been granted additional time for personal family matters. Nygren is currently with the team but is nursing an Achilles issue, though O'Neill believes it is not severe. Tierney played for 60 minutes in the friendly, and while Johnston was prepared for about 20 minutes of play, the sports science team advised caution. Yang has resumed training after a minor setback a few days prior, and is expected to be fully fit soon. O'Neill emphasized that he is less concerned about these players, given their recent participation in the World Cup, and believes a gradual return is beneficial. He anticipates the entire squad will be back in action by Monday.
As Celtic prepares to defend its title, with the season opener against Dundee scheduled for August 3rd, O'Neill has also taken note of the emerging young talents within the club. Thomas Hatton and Sean McArdle, for instance, delivered impressive performances as substitutes in wide positions during the match against AC Milan. O'Neill commended Hatton specifically, highlighting his willingness to challenge opponents, a quality he considers increasingly rare in modern football. He assured that Hatton, a developing young player, would receive full encouragement. O'Neill expressed his overall satisfaction with Hatton's attitude throughout the pre-season, recognizing the competitive environment for a spot in the team.
The anticipation builds as Celtic's squad gradually reassembles, with the manager expressing confidence in both his seasoned international players and the promising youth, all set to contribute to the club's objectives in the forthcoming Scottish Premiership season.
