Celtic’s 2024/25 campaign ended in a dramatic fashion as Brendan Rodgers’ men were defeated on penalties in the Scottish Cup final by Aberdeen. The Bhoys failed to win a record ninth domestic treble.
But all that is water under the bridge now and what truly matters is the season ahead. The team and the fans can both take some time to rest and reset now. The punters are also taking a break from club football. With international fixtures kicking off, the betting odds for today’s matches, which betting experts have handpicked from the best sportsbooks, offer plenty to explore beyond the usual domestic action. Celtic won’t be back in training until 1 July, but it looks like their fans have an exciting pre-season ahead of them.
Thus, this article will outline and analyse the Celtic pre-season plan for the summer of 2025.
Return to Training and Ireland Trip
The holidays for the Celtic squad are set to end on June 30, as on July 1 the players are expected back at the Lennoxtown training centre. As is usually the case, the first day will involve medical check-ups to assess the players’ physical condition after the summer holiday.
Coach Rodgers will have one week to work with the squad uninterrupted, after which the Hoops will travel to Ireland for the opening friendly match of the 2025/26 season. As such, the Bhoys are set to face League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City in the inaugural Cork Super Cup.
The first warm-up game is set to be a light one. The match is scheduled for July 8.
Warm Weather Camp in Portugal
Afterwards, the team will head south to Portugal for this summer’s warm weather camp in Portugal. Celtic are expected to stay eight days in Portugal, a trip that will also include a friendly encounter with Sporting CP, the local league winners. The exact date in time is yet to be confirmed but it is known that the match will take place in Faro, Portugal, the southernmost city of the country.
Most European clubs go on such trips during the pre-season. For clubs from the North of Europe, it is especially important to train in a region with warm weather and a lot of sun, as it allows the players to regain their physical level in comfortable conditions ahead of the new season.
Celtic will then return to Glasgow where they will face off against Newcastle United, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup winners. The match will be played at Celtic Park and will kick off on July 19. Namewise, Newcastle will be the toughest opponent the Bhoys are set to play during the pre-season.
Mini Tournament in Italy
After the friendly against Newcastle, Celtic will continue their training at Lennoxtown for a while. Then, as reported by the Scottish Sun, Rodgers and the squad will head to Italy where they have been invited to take part in a pre-season mini tournament hosted by Como.
Respectively, the matches will be played on Como’s home ground Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Besides hosts Como – who finished 10th in the Serie A under Cesc Fabregas – Celtic will encounter Dutch giants Ajax. The games are reportedly scheduled for July 24 and July 26 but the exact order is still to be decided.
Conclusion
The Celtic 2025/26 pre-season plan includes everything a team requires ahead of a successful season. The team will start with a light warm-up match in Ireland, then will go on a warm-weather trip to Portugal, then play in a friendly mini tournament. The Bhoys will face off against tough rivals that should prepare them for a season with big goals like the domestic treble and a long run in the UEFA Champions League.
With a total of five friendlies planned, the fans should especially look forward to the matches against Newcastle United, Ajax and Como. The first two friendlies will leave room for squad rotations and tactical experiments. However, once Celtic is back from the trip to Portugal, the Bhoys will need to get serious and aim to reach their best form ahead of the new 2025/26 campaign.
The Scottish Premiership starts on August 2 already. One month of preparations should be enough to get the team ready for the season ahead. However, it is also important that the squad does not overwork themselves, as it is known that the top teams reach their peak form later in the season when most of the season-defining matches are played.
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