Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is eagerly anticipating the new season with a Champions League play-off on the horizon.
After a productive summer break, Rodgers is now focused on preparing his squad both physically and mentally for the upcoming challenges.
Rodgers told the club media: "I ate well, drank well, exercised, and spent time with family.
"But obviously, happy to be back again and getting ready."
The return to Lennoxtown invigorates him: "When you drive up the hill and you smell the grass again, then it excites you for the season ahead."
A high tempo is crucial this summer, especially for key players involved in international duties.
Rodgers said: "We have to manage that, of course, so that they get enough rest and recovery.
"Every player's program is adapted to ensure that they get enough rest, but also to bring them back and get them up to speed physically."
The importance of this pre-season is amplified by the looming two-legged Champions League play-off, the first time Celtic have had to qualify for the tournament proper since 2021.
Rodgers said: "Pre-season always is a tense, difficult period when you're one of the big clubs, because they are never pre-season friendlies, I always call them tests.
"But then you add into that the qualification for the Champions League, you're trying to get to the end point that little bit quicker."
The return of Kieran Tierney after his spell at Arsenal is one of the summer's standout moves.
Rodgers believes it's a move as much about identity and culture as it is about footballing quality.
He said: "The players that have come through the system here are so important.
"The affinity they have with the club, they understand the values of Celtic.
"For me, they should always be at the heart of the club."
Rodgers is also keen to see the impact of new signings, Swedish forward Benjamin Nygren and 19-year-old striker Callum Osmand from Fulham’s academy.
He said: "Benjamin's a guy who has really developed from being a really talented young player.
"He’s got real good physicality as well.
"So I’m really looking forward to seeing him adapt to how we play."
On Osmand, he said: "He wants to be part of a first-team setup where he can come and grow and develop.
"He’s got bags of pace, scores goals, and was really coveted by a number of teams.
"We’re delighted to get Callum up here.
"We see him as a really exciting young talent."
Rodgers also paid tribute to Scott Bain and Greg Taylor, who have moved on.
He said of Bain: "Bainy maybe didn't play the number of games as a goalkeeper that he maybe would have liked.
"But he was always very loyal and always very supportive of the goalkeepers that were in front of him."
On Taylor, whose move to Greek side PAOK was confirmed on Tuesday, he said: "I've made it clear all the way along I'd love to have kept Greg.
"He was a brilliant servant, a brilliant player for the club, but also a really good guy off the pitch."
Rodgers confirmed that more signings are likely before the season begins.
He said: "We're not needing a major overhaul of the squad, but freshness is so important.
"We've done some really good business up until now.
"I see us doing more, and to get us set up for what will hopefully be a really exciting season."
