We’re on the road again​

Once again the new season is upon us when Celtic commence the 2009/10 season with a friendly against Brisbane Roar on Sunday. After what has seemed like a never ending summer of speculation, firstly over who would replace Gordon Strachan at the helm and then over who the new manager, Tony Mowbray, would sign, we can once again start talking about the football.

Mowbray long haul trip for his first game as Celtic manager​

The Celtic team flew out to Australia on Thursday, minus Shunsuke Nakamura, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Paul Hartley who have all left the club. However Mowbray's first signing of the summer, Marc-Antoine Fortune was included in the squad for the long haul journey after officially signing the previous evening and being introduced to the media and fans that morning.

With club captain Stephen McManus injured and Mowbray yet to decide on whether he should retain the armband, Scott McDonald has been handed the honour of captaining Celtic on their visit to his homeland.

Captain Skippy​

The friendly at the Suncorp Stadium will be Celtic’s first visit to Australia in over 30 years and the legions of Celtic fans Down Under can look forward to seeing the first team stars in action as Mowbray brings a strong squad for the game.

The official ambassador for this game is the Lisbon Lion Willie Wallace who now resides in Australia. He has stated that “Everyone will be keen to impress Tony (Mowbray). Reputations will count for nothing, and they will all start with a clean slate. I am looking forward to a great game of football in front of a very vocal and friendly crowd at Suncorp Stadium”.

Although friendlies are usually considered meaningless games results wise this game for the Translink cup has a little bit more spice that most with three former Rangers players now plying their trade for Brisbane Roar, Craig Moore, Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm.

True to Celtic’s charitable roots local children in Brisbane will be treated to free coaching sessions as the club sends two of it’s academy coaches to Australia to undertake three soccer schools in conjunction with Football Brisbane. Additionally the club has arranged a number of supporters events to give our Aussie fans a chance to meet some of the players.