Pep Guardiola has labelled Celtic a "top team" as the champions of Scotland and England prepare to collide in Chapel Hill, North Carolina this evening.
The Manchester City manager is keen to observe how his team, which includes a number of young talents, rises to the challenges ahead, beginning with a match against Brendan Rodgers' Celtic.
His main focus is on navigating these encounters without any injuries while also gaining valuable experience against top-tier opponents in the United States.
“No injuries," was what the City boss wants to get out of the quartet of friendly games.
"That would be a big success we can have. We don’t come here for the four trophies, we come here to have no injuries, to step up where we are. 80 or 85 per cent of the team is from the young academy players – the experience will be good.
“We get to play against of course, Celtic, in Scotland a top team. After it’s Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea. These guys playing against these teams, it’s a good experience to see how they can compete. It’s massively important for all of us, for them."
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Guardiola highlighted one player in particular from City's fringe men that he has a special interest in evaluating after a productive loan stint at Sheffield United last season.
“I want to see all of them," he continued.
"I’m curious to see James McAtee especially, coming back from Sheffield. I have a high opinion of him. I would love to have him and keep him next season with us. He’s a special guy who can play in space in the pockets. I think he grew up in terms of physicality and mentality, when you play in the Premier League fighting for relegation you get something special.”
Rodgers on the other hand was just relishing the chance to compete against top opposition and explained how the fixture is special to new signing, Kasper Schmeichel.
"There's no rivalry, it's just a fantastic game for us to play," he reiterated.
"There's a friendship there between both clubs that has been there for many years. Kasper (Schmeichel) started at Manchester City so it will be a special game for him.
"It will be great to see Pep. I was involved against him in the Premier League. But most importantly for us, it's the fifth game in our preparation phase and we'll be working very hard to get everything out of it that we need to."
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Manchester City also face AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea during their pre-season preparations, yet Callum Doyle, who is among the academy prospects in Guardiola's travelling party confesses it's the Glasgow giants that he's long been wanting to meet.
“Probably Celtic," Doyle replied when asked which game he’s most looking forward to.
"I’ve always dreamed since I was a little kid to play against Celtic.
“Since I was watching the derbies between Celtic and Rangers I feel like it’ll be a good game, a good test and a good battle.”
Kevin De Bruyne is among the high-profile City players that have been linked with a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium this summer.
But Guardiola revealed he has no intention of letting the vastly-experienced playmaker depart despite interest from Saudi Arabia.
"Kevin isn’t leaving," he told reporters before his side's opening pre-season game against Celtic.
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"If someone leaves, we are going to talk about that and, of course, until the last day (of the transfer window) we have chances," he said.
"I don’t rule out new players as an option, but I think there is an 85, 90, 95% chance we will have the same squad."
