World Cup

O'Neill expects the World Cup players to return for the

3 August 2026·4 min read·Mario Sánchez
O'Neill expects the World Cup players to return for the

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expects the full range of players who played at the World Cup to return to training next week, as the start of the new Scottish Premiership season approaches.

O'Neill expects World Cup players to return for

According to Sports.

Context

Celtic is a well-known Scottish Premiership club with a deep history in the competition. The return of internationally-active players will be crucial in their quest to achieve success in the league. Friendly matches like the match against AC Milan provide important opportunities for players to show their skills and gain the confidence of the coaching staff.

Why it matters

The return of Celtic's World Cup players is crucial for their season outlook in the Scottish Premiership. Having a complete squad allows for better tactical planning and building chemistry within the team before their opening match. Players like Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti have the potential to have a big match impact in their next games.

Key Points

  • O'Neill expects World Cup players to return for.
  • Martin O'Neill expects Celtic's entire group of World Cup players to be back in training before the opening league match, after Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti started in the 2-2 friendly against AC Milan.
  • O'Neill expects World Cup players to be back for Celtic opener.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expects the full range of players who played at the World Cup to return to training next week, as the start of the new Scottish Premiership season approaches. According to the report, the club aims to have a full squad at the training ground to prepare the team for the league opener. In the previous friendly, Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney and Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti started in the 2-2 draw against AC Milan. The game was part of Celtic's preseason preparation series, and was an important opportunity to test a combination of regulars and new returning players. The return of internationally-active players is usually critical for any club before the first official match. Having a full squad at practice allows time for tactical adjustments, chemistry-building, and implementing the coaching staff's ideas. For O'Neill and his coaching staff, next week will be important to assess the condition of each and the overall readiness of the squad. While there are no details yet on the exact test schedule or who else is expected to return, it is clear Celtic's priority is to complete the group before the start of the league. The 2-2 friendly against AC Milan also showed the team's intention to test both defensive and attacking setups in preparation for more serious competition. For Kieran Tierney, availability in training is key to possibly featuring regularly at Celtic's left-back. For Sebastian Tounekti, the constant minutes in friendlies will help develop his connection with his teammates up front. As the opening of the Scottish Premiership approaches, supporters and analysts will be monitoring the condition and availability of Celtic's World Cup players. The expected return of the full squad to training will give a clear picture of whether the team is ready for the competition and what combination O'Neill may use in the opening match. Overall, it's a positive sign for Celtic if there is indeed a full squad in training next week — an important step towards a smooth start to their league campaign.

What's next

It is hoped that the entire group of players will be able to return to training next week, giving Martin O'Neill the chance to assess everyone's condition. Training sessions will be critical for developing strategies and implementing ideas by the coaching staff. With their Scottish Premiership opener approaching, Celtic are focused on building a solid foundation for their campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of Celtic's friendly match against AC Milan?

The friendly match ended in a 2-2 split result.

What is the effect of the friendly match on the standings of the Scottish Premiership?

The friendly match is part of Celtic's preparation for the new Scottish Premiership season and does not affect the standings.

When is Celtic's next Scottish Premiership match?

No specific date has yet been given for Celtic's next Scottish Premiership match.

Who are the players expected to return to training for Celtic?

Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti are expected to return to training, along with other World Cup players.

Why is the return of World Cup players important for Celtic?

The return of the World Cup players is important to complete the training group and prepare the team for the league opener.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

What was the result of Celtic's friendly match against AC Milan?
The friendly match ended in a 2-2 split result.
What is the effect of the friendly match on the standings of the Scottish Premiership?
The friendly match is part of Celtic's preparation for the new Scottish Premiership season and does not affect the standings.
When is Celtic's next Scottish Premiership match?
No specific date has yet been given for Celtic's next match in the Scottish Premiership.
Who are the players expected to return to training for Celtic?
Kieran Tierney and Sebastian Tounekti are expected to return to training, along with other World Cup players.
Why is the return of World Cup players important for Celtic?
The return of the World Cup players is important to complete the training group and prepare the team for the league opener.
What is the next fixture to watch?
Fans should follow the involved clubs' upcoming schedules as coaches react to this result in their preparation.
World Cup 2026Scottish PremiershipCelticAC MilanKieran TierneySebastian Tounekti

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