Celtic go back to the future

It may be hard to get the forthcoming Champions League qualifying clash with Arsenal out of the mind, but that is something that Celtic must do if they are to hit the ground running at Aberdeen this weekend, in what will be Tony Mowbray's first SPL game as the Hoops boss.


Tony Mowbray - Looking for winning SPL start

Saturday's game at Pittodrie sees the Hoops come up against a side managed by Mark McGhee, who incidentally was one of the many names linked with the vacant job at Celtic Park following Gordon Strachan's departure at the end of May.

McGhee built up a good reputation at former club Motherwell, taking them to third place in 2008, and there is no doubt that he will be looking for the same from his new charges, although things couldn't have got off to a worse start, the Dons being dumped out of the Europa League following an embarrassing 8-1 aggregate defeat to the Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc. An outcome that means the Aberdeen squad will go into the opening game of the new season doubly determined to prove their worth to the new manager.


Mark McGhee - New broom at Pittodrie

As we all know, whilst Aberdeen were being dumped out of European competition for another season at least, The Celts were performing heroics in Moscow, goals from Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras completing a fantastic fightback and subsequently setting up the much awaited tie with one of England's "big four"

All of that, coupled with what has been a pretty successful pre-season means the Celts begin their league campaign in good spirits, new signings Landry N'Guemo and Daniel Fox have fitted into their new surroundings effortlessly, whilst Mowbray's first capture, Marc-Antoine Fortune looks to have the makings of a striker, who whilst maybe not prolific in terms of strike ratio, certainly has the ability to cause defences problems with his raw strength and unselfish running, as seen on that magical Moscow night.


Daniel Fox - Fitted in effortlessly

Another player, Massimo Donati, has also forced his way back into the reckoning. The forgotten man under Gordon Strachan seems to have found a new lease of life under Mowbray and looks set to be involved in the Aberdeen clash.

Scott Brown has overcome his injury problems and is available for a starting place, leaving the new manager with plenty of options ahead of the start of this crucial campaign, one in which the Hoops look to regain the title they threw away in dismal fashion during the second half of last season.

Mowbray will though have to make changes in defence, Gary Caldwell misses out through suspension whilst Stephen McManus remains sidelined with injury. Glenn Loovens though, is available after the Hoops appealed against his suspension. The Dutchman is expected to be joined at the heart of the defence by Darren O'Dea.

Aberdeen have seen Scott Severin, Jamie Smith and Lee Mair all depart for pastures new, whilst Zander Diamond remains on the sidelines, and along with the European debacle it's clearly not the ideal preparation to a new season.

New signing Jerel Ifil could well make his debut following his move from Swindon Town, whilst Mark Kerr has been appointed club captain following Severin's departure.​