All Hail Training Centre at the official unveiling
Brian Quinn says Celtic's new training facility in Lennoxtown is a reflection of the Scottish Champions' standing as one of the top outfits in Europe.
The departing chairman was at the unveiling of the training camp in the north of Glasgow which replaces the much-maligned Barrowfield.
Quinn said: "When people come and see the facilities they'll see what I think we are which is a major European club.
"It strengthens the perception that here is a top class club."
"The club was in a bad way in 1993/94 and it took a man of vision, Fergus McCann, to see a way through that," said Quinn.
"And I think he had the sequence right - he did the right things in the right order.
"First, build the stadium, which gave the fans a great sense of involvement and ownership and recreated the spirit among the Celtic supporters.
"Then, rebuild the team - and in the last 5,6,7 years you've seen the results on the field."
"And now we've supported that with the training facility. So it's come together rather pleasingly."
Club captain Stephen McManus, who came through the youth development system at Celtic, admits he will miss Barrowfield which is situated less than half a mile from Celtic Park
"It is a place that I trained at for 10 or 11 years so it will always stick in the memory," he said.
"But for a club this size to have a facility like this is well overdue and we are going to really enjoy it and work hard." "The lads will tell you at Murray Park that there's a lot more relaxed atmosphere," he said. "I think it's a good idea being away from the stadium every day. Familiarity can be a hindrance.
"When you sign for Celtic you see the stadium and you are back there every day then you maybe lose that special feeling. Whereas if you are away from it for a bit then you get the butterflies when you're back and you see the fans. I think it will be a tremendous thing for everybody."
It is important to keep the connection to the fans," said Celtic captain Stephen McManus yesterday. "However, the most important thing is that when we go back to Celtic Park we will get a feel for just how special a place it is and we will really appreciate the fans because we won't see them every day."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is looking forward to being allowed to focus solely on footballing matters at the club's new premises.
"Personally, it means that I can now wholly concentrate on just football," he said.
"I loved training at Barrowfield, the surface was good but when I was there I got involved in business and football.
"I can switch my phone off here and just deal with football and so can the players.
"We are proud of this, it is fantastic."
"The training facility is fitting for a club of Celtic's stature," he said. "We are thrilled and very proud. It has been a long haul and we have created something very special so it is a great day for the club.
"There are no plans for the stadium at the moment. We are quite happy with the capacity and the facilities we have. Clearly the old stand would be the first priority but at the moment we have other uses for funds that are available."
The Training Facility will boast no fewer than three full-sized UEFA standard grass pitches, a full-size artificial pitch, an indoor training area and changing rooms. It also boasts a gym and fitness suite, physio and medical facilities, a sports science department, classrooms and media facilities.
The Celtic Ladies, a new team launched in June, will also play their home games at Lennoxtown.
The futures bright indeed! Well done to everyone involved in the project!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt