Celtic returned to pre-season training yesterday with striker Daryl Murphy glad to get the first day's hard work out of the way. The Lennoxtown training complex was a buzz with the majority of the squad back to get used to regular training again ahead of the new season. Those players who were on international duty at the end of last season have a few extra days off but Murphy was in from the start.
The Irishman said: "It's good to get back into it because you want to get your fitness levels up so you can look forward to the games again. I've missed it, but to be honest it's only been four weeks so it's not really much of a break. I think it was just long enough, though, because any longer than that and it would have started feeling strange without it. Everyone dreads pre-season, except the few, like Cha, who actually enjoy it. He's an exceptional runner so it's easy for him. But I'm always wary of the first day because it's usually very hard. It was tough going today but that's just to see where you are really. I felt good, though, so it's a good sign."
Sunday sees the Celtic squad board the plane to head to Australia where they will continue their pre-season preparations with three games. The trip will be followed by the Dublin Cup at the end of the month and Murphy is looking forward to a busy July. He went on: "It's always good to get back to Ireland and see the fans over there because there's a big connection between them and Celtic. There will definitely be a good crowd at the games in the Aviva Stadium. There always are when we play over there and this will be no different. It will be a good tournament. We'll be facing a tough Inter Milan side and the league of Ireland game will be very interesting too."
Murphy is anticipating a strong turn out Down Under from ex-pat fans. He said: "I'm looking forward to going over to Australia next week and playing a few games again. A lot of the lads were saying the last time they were there they saw a lot of Celtic fans, and I'm sure there will be even more this time. It's a chance for them to see us up close and personal. It just goes to show how big the club is to have fans all over the world, and based on what they were saying, they were taken aback by the number that was there the last time."