The season is fast approaching and Celtic are gearing up for Champions League group stage football.
And as Ange Postecoglou and his side continue their pre season preparations, James Forrest has highlighted the high standards his boss has expected from the get-go. After ending last season on a positive note, the Hoops are looking to come back even stronger with the gaffer well into his second Parkhead pre season this summer.
Celtic are back on home soil after a trip to Europe which saw them complete a training camp in Austria before friendly clashes in Vienna as well as a game in the Czech Republic. But there was no rest upon arrival in Glasgow's east end as the side were straight back to Lennoxtown before welcoming Blackburn Rovers to Parkhead at the weekend. And with less than two weeks left until the league campaign kicks off and Champions League group stage games in September, Forrest reckons the tough pre season schedule, as well as Ange's expectations, will benefit him and his teammates this year.
Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: "It's the first time in a while we've had a long pre season and we've got another two weeks of pre-season before the first game. So it's good. The squad this year compared to last season when he (Ange Postecoglou) first came in, we are much more settled. Apart from one or two new faces, everybody knows each other and I think that shows how good the manager and the players did last year. I think it will be beneficial for this season as well.
"It finished amazing at the end of last season but I think they way the manager is that is kind of finished now. He is all about, straight away even in pre season games, he is wanting everybody at it, everyone 100 per cent straight away. I think that is good because the standard is always high, every training session and every pre season game because that is the standard that he sets. "
After last season's success, the side face the small task of Champions League group stage football this upcoming campaign. And Forrest is buzzing the say the least. He said: "It is going to be class. I think everybody will be buzzing for the draw. It is good for the fans, players and the manager as well. There are loads of players who haven’t played in the Champions League so I think it will be some buzz when we get the Champions League games back here.
"The standard is high. Even when we were in the (Europa) Conference League last season. You get a lot of good teams. Maybe some you’ve not heard of but there are a lot good players as well. But I think everyone will be excited for that challenge. Everyone wants to challenge themselves and play in the big games. The fans want to see those big teams and us playing against them as well. Everybody will be looking forward to it. I am sure whoever we get, everybody will be buzzing."
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