Neil Lennon has told Mikey Johnston to beef up if he is to muscle his way in to the Celtic first team.
The Hoops boss raves about the attacker but wants to see the 20-year-old build up his fitness for the long campaign.
Celtic landed in Austria on Monday night to begin their 10-day pre-season camp and Johnston has been warned he could be in for hard graft.
And manager Lennon said: “It’s a big season for Michael because it’s the next one.
“I like him. He needs to get fitter and more robust and he’s been told that. He came off in the Youth Cup Final and Scottish Cup Final with cramp.
“But we need to look at the conditioning of all the players who aren’t playing regularly. We need to work them a bit more so they’re up to speed when they come in.
“Vakoun Issouf Bayo went away with the Ivory Coast and ruptured his hamstring. Jack Hendry picked up an injury in that area too.
“We need to stay on top of those boys and make sure they are getting as much work as those who are playing.
“We can’t have them being at risk of injury 60 or 70 minutes into games. Michael falls into that category but we believe in him – he started the Cup Final and that was a shot in the arm for him.”
Lennon is predicting big things for Johnston and is also convinced this season will see wonderkid Karamoko Dembele hit the big time.
The 16-year-old was handed his top-team debut at the end of last term and was on the bench for the Cup Final.
He said: “Karamoko is part of the first-team squad now. We have to mindful of his age and his development but you don’t want to curtail talent.
“Wayne Rooney made his debut at 16 too. I’m not saying Karamoko is going to be as good as him, they’re different types, but he’s very talented. He should be mixing with the first team now. He’s ready.”
