We’re only a month removed from the festivities surrounding Celtic’s double trophy triumph at Hampden but the club’s summer break is already officially over.
The coaching staff and players have all enjoyed their holidays in various corners of the world, even if Brendan Rodgers’ phone is unlikely to have stopped buzzing since that famous full-time against Rangers.
For supporters, it’s been a very quiet few weeks. Transfer rumours aren’t exactly flowing freely right now and there are no hints of an imminent deal.
Many of the heroes of last season started to return to the training base at Lennoxtown on Thursday with others involved on international duty expected back over the next week.
It won’t even be long until we see a team back out on the pitch. The slate of pre-season friendlies begins next Friday night away to Ayr United with thousands of Celtic supporters expected to cheer on the team at Somerset Park.
Celtic must push for a constructive summer
It’s transfer activity that most are waiting on, however. Several positions need strengthening or upgraded with Joe Hart retiring, Adam Idah heading back to Norwich City after his loan and Paulo Bernardo in limbo at Benfica. And that’s just to maintain numbers.
Assistant manager John Kennedy indicated in a media interview yesterday that the club are working feverishly behind the scenes on deals but after a sluggish 2023 window, fans will be keenly watching for signs of activity in the early stages of the summer.
Certainly, it would be beneficial to have a couple in the door before the club embark on their pre-season tour of the USA in mid-July.
That would set the tone for what is hopefully a constructive summer. With a minimum of eight matches in the UEFA Champions League next season and the challenge for domestic trophies unlikely to be any easier than last term, Celtic mustn’t stand still.
The departure of Mark Lawwell earlier in the year indicated Rodgers’ influence on transfers is growing and the club’s board must back his ambition to add real quality to the squad given the resources available to the champions.
With everyone back in the building, we need to see that start to play out over the next few weeks. Realistically few would have expected much movement over the last month but it’s time for Celtic to get moving and kick into life. The winning machine must roll on.