Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou landed back in Glasgow this afternoon after a media blitz in Australia hyping the upcoming Sydney Super Cup.
Postecoglou did a great job as a Celtic ambassador down under, taking part in a number of mainstream morning and studio shows throughout the week, as well as your traditional sporting outlets.
Everton, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers – alongside the tournament organisers – will be hoping it serves as the boost needed to sell more tickets for the big stadium fixtures.
However, there’s far more important work ahead during the international break with the Bhoys looking to bounce back from a disappointing recent defeat to St Mirren.
As many as 13 players have been involved with their countries during this period. They’ll all gradually head back to the training ground over the coming days, with Motherwell on the immediate horizon next Saturday.
The group that stayed behind will have been working hard under the coaching staff throughout Postecoglou’s absence, save for a few days’ rest, but the intensity will no doubt ramp up with the manager’s return to oversee everything.
It’s could be a chance for some fringe players to catch the eye of the Australian with established starters still in various locations around Europe.
The Motherwell match is just the start of an incredibly busy period between now and the World Cup, with a crucial doubleheader against RB Leipzig on the cards immediately, as well as tricky away trips to St Johnstone and Hearts over the next month.
It’s vital that the squad put the disappointment of St Mirren behind them and get back to the form of the first six league matches of the season that culminated in the 4-0 thrashing of Rangers.
This break may well have been the ideal opportunity to take a break from recent events and re-focus minds.
In other news, Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis under medical supervision after injury scare and scan on Greece duty.
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