Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg buzzing for ‘real game’ against Celtic

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Kim Hellberg is excited to be facing Celtic in a ‘real game’ in Glasgow.

The Middlesbrough boss has been discussing his side’s upcoming trip north of the border for the game this Saturday.

Celtic are slightly ahead of Boro in their pre-season preparations; the Scottish Premiership kicks off a fortnight earlier than the Championship.

For Hellberg, whose side have also been in Portugal, the Parkhead clash will be a real test.

Kim Hellberg: Celtic clash will be ‘very fun’

Via Teesisde Live, Hellberg said: “The first game is more about getting 45 minutes into the legs of 20 players and preparing for the new season in that way.

“It’s not really what I would call a great game.

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“I am looking forward to the Celtic game. That is more what I would call like a real game. And then, of course, the weeks that follow that. They will be important for us in every different aspect.

“We’re going to take a lot of fans up there with us, and that is why I think it will have that feel of a real game, compared to the one in Portugal.

“We’ll have a good week leading into that game, because we will need that.

“We need to train hard and help the players develop. I’m looking forward to the game, though. It will be fun to see all the supporters again.

“It’s been a good week. We had a lot of young players with us – a lot of good players to work with.

“In how all of the players have worked hard and what they’ve shown talent wise, I cannot be more satisfied.

“Of course, some players have left, some others have returned, and there will be some new faces too. We have five very important weeks now where we will work very, very hard and it will be very, very tough.

“I’m looking forward to it, because it will be very fun too. We’ve had a good start to the summer – a good chance for me to see a lot of the young players.

“They’ve done very well. Now, there’s an exciting five weeks ahead, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Hellberg sold Sebastian Tounekti to Celtic for £5 million whilst at Hammarby last summer.

Middlesbrough’s bid for promotion fell at the final hurdle in the play-off final against Hull City at Wembley last season.