The criticism after Celtic’s Gibraltar embarrassment by Lincoln Red Imps has long been neutralised as the Glasgow giants kick on with solid pre-season preparations.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are beginning to peak at just the right time in the lead up to the new season thanks to a number of tough games in both the Champions League qualifiers and the International Champions Cup.
Boosted earlier this week by the signing of the former Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure, the Hoops will hope foranother positive performance when they travel to Dublin on Saturday to take on a Barcelona team inspired by the returning Lionel Messi.
Amid the excitement of the International Champions Cup and Champions League qualifiers, it’s been a busy month for Celtic, with Rodgers showing a clear sign that youth is the way forward for the Scottish champions.
Although higher profile players like Anthony Stokes and Carlton Cole have moved on, Celtic did secure the services of talented youngsters such as Anthony Ralston, PJ Crossan and in particular, the left-back Kieran Tierney.
Tierney, who was Scotland’s Young Player of the Year, committed himself to the club this week by signing a new five-year contract. He made 34 appearances for Celtic last season and reaped the rewards for his impressive performances by receiving a call up to the Scotland squad last March where he made his international debut against Denmark.
The defender is the benchmark for other youngsters at the club. There’s no doubt the Isle of Man-born defender will want to test himself against the might of Barcelona this Saturday.
Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Eoghan O’Connell is another youngster who has caught the eye in Celtic's pre-season schedule.
The 20-year-old scored a real peach in the International Champions Cup defeat to Premier League champions Leicester City. If chosen by Rodgers this Saturday, O’Connell would surely relish the chance to play against the Catalan giants in his home country.
The experience young players like Tierney and O’Connell could get from challenging a Barcelona side consisting of Messi, Luis Suarez and Arda Turan will be hugely beneficial for their careers, but also in preparing for a long season ahead, particularly if Celtic reach the Champions League group stage.
Saturday’s clash could also prove to be an excellent platform for the more experienced new signings like Kolo Toure and Moussa Dembele to stamp their authority on this new Celtic side.
Either way, taking on top European opposition such as Leicester City, Barcelona and Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup can only serve as the perfect preparation for the Glasgow side ahead of the Scottish Premiership season, where they will come up against their fierce rivals Rangers for the first time in the league since 2012.
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