The countdown to Celtic’s return is well and truly on.
In just over a week, the players not involved in international football will report back to Lennoxtown as preparations begin for Martin O’Neill’s first full season back in charge.
Non-international players are due to return on June 26, with those currently involved at the World Cup and other international fixtures joining up with the squad at a later date.
It marks the beginning of what promises to be a hugely important summer for Celtic.
Transfers, Champions League qualifiers and the defence of the league title all lie ahead.
Yet despite pre-season now being just days away, there remains a glaring uncertainty hanging over the club.
Who exactly will be alongside O’Neill in the dugout?
While the manager’s return has finally been confirmed, there has been little clarity regarding the coaching structure around him.
Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham remain in limbo amid reports over contract discussions and proposed wage reductions.
Meanwhile, Gavin Strachan looks to be departing for West Bromwich Albion after reports emerged that he is poised to join James Morrison’s coaching staff. The timing is hardly ideal.
Pre-season is where coaching staffs lay the foundations for the months ahead.
Fitness programmes, tactical work, recruitment integration and squad assessments all begin during those opening weeks at Lennoxtown.
Ideally, O’Neill would already know exactly who he is working with.
Instead, supporters are still waiting for answers.
The players, however, will soon be back on the training pitches regardless.
Attention will quickly turn towards the first friendly of the summer when Celtic travel to Dublin to face Shelbourne at Tolka Park on July 7.
That fixture will offer supporters their first glimpse of O’Neill’s plans for the new campaign and potentially the first look at any summer signings.
After that comes a trip to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon before AC Milan visit Celtic Park later in July.
There is plenty to look forward to.
But with the start of pre-season now less than ten days away, Celtic still have important business to conclude off the pitch before attention can fully shift to matters on it.
