At last, at long last, we see light at the end of the tunnel.
The SPFL and the Scottish Government appear to have green-lit the start of pre-season training early in June.
This is brilliant news. Even better is that the games are set to kick off again in early August.
The quest for ten in a row begins here.
The last hope of Sevconia has been snatched away.
That league campaign will start right on schedule, providing we don’t get the dreaded second wave early. Games will be played behind closed doors, but that’s less important than the simple fact that they are going to take place. Those games are going to be played.
This is what we’ve been waiting for since last season was put on ice.
Nine is secured. We are heading for the ten.
The next 12 months will be tough. It’s difficult to know if we’ll have a single game played by the turn of the year where fans will be allowed inside a ground. Everything is still up in the air, but we know now at least that the games are going ahead.
Look for some form of virtual season ticket.
It is the obvious step. Celtic TV already shows every game at home. Sky will show every major match away. There’s not going to be a single minute that we are going to miss, and yes it will be unusual for fans and players and coaches alike; the team has never had to do this without our vast support behind them.
But don’t let anybody scare you with talk that this will be some kind of equaliser; quality is still going to tell on the pitch.
Our players are still the finest in the league.
Our manager is still the best. If our boys turn up for business we’re going to be just fine.
Sevco’s best hope was that the season not take place at all.
That’s been snatched away from them today. They have made the first signing of the campaign, but they are no stronger for having done so. Celtic will do business when the time is right … and even as we’re doing it the Ibrox NewCo will struggle to get its own house in order.
This is exciting news. With the nine secured all the focus turns towards ten.
It will be the biggest season of our lives so far, and now we know when it starts.
I cannot wait to get it underway, and I’m sure everyone at Parkhead feels the same.
James Forrest is the guest on the latest Celtic Down Under podcast, which you can listen to here.
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