Celtic’s return to Marbella is not a trophy-winning move on its own, but it does give Martin O’Neill’s squad the best chance of hitting the ground running.
Marbella Football Center has confirmed Celtic among the clubs using its facilities this summer, with the Scottish champions listed beside teams from Europe, Asia, North America, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Celtic cannot afford to drift into the new season. Good facilities never won a football match, but poor preparation usually catches up with teams quickly.
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Celtic will work beside serious clubs in Spain
It doesn’t take long to see why Celtic have chosen Marbella again.
Celtic will not be playing these clubs, but they will all be using the same training complex this summer.
- Club América
- Orlando Pirates
- Coventry City
- Al Ahli
- Al Ittihad
- Al Ettifaq
- UD Las Palmas
Celtic will be sharing pitches with clubs operating at a high level, surrounded by clubs who have chosen Marbella for exactly the same reason Celtic have.
Celtic now have to make Marbella count
Supporters will not care about the training base if the team looks flat once the real football starts.
That is why this is a positive sign, not a free pass. Celtic have chosen one of the best pre-season bases in Europe, and that gives O’Neill, his staff and the players fewer excuses.
Nobody hands out points for having a good pre-season base. Celtic have given themselves the right platform in Marbella.
The surroundings are first class. Celtic now have to make sure the football is too.
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