Wilson: Australian tour will be ideal for new Bhoys

Wilson: Australian tour will be ideal for new Bhoys

By: Mark Henderson on 10 Jun, 2011 17:40

MARK Wilson believes Celtic’s tour of Australia will allow the team’s new Bhoys to see the strength of the club’s worldwide support. 

 Many of last season’s new recruits arrived after the July tour of North America, while recent signings, Kelvin Wilson and Adam Matthews, will make their Hoops bow down under.
 
And not only does he believe the Celtic faithful in that part of the world will leave a lasting impression on all the newcomers, the full-back is also delighted at the overseas fans receiving a rare opportunity to see the side at first-hand.

“Obviously, it’s a good chance for the fans out that way to see us as they don’t often get a chance to see us, apart from TV,” he told the official website. 
 
“I have been fortunate enough to see so many places what affect the club has on people in the far reaches of the world and how we always seem to have a massive fan base everywhere.
 
“But the boys who have just joined or joined us last summer might not quite realise how big we are in these far flung parts. In Australia there are a lot of Scottish and Irish people there so there will be a big following. So it will be good for these boys to see how big we are.”
 
The Hoops’ squad will spend over two weeks in Australia and the 27-year-old believes that time together can only foster an improved togetherness and team-spirit among the dressing room.
 
“I thought America last year was great for that as we had a few new boys in and a few younger lads made the step up. We went away for nearly two weeks and it really brought the team together.
 
“This time, I think there will be one or two new signings again and we will be away for two-and-a-half weeks, so it’s great it gets the boys together, although at the end you feel you are in each other’s faces all the time.
 
“But I think you need that to get to know each other’s game and also to get to know each other personally as well.
 
As someone who has never visited Australia before – he missed Celtic’s last trip to Brisbane in 2009 through injury – Wilson is relishing the opportunity of both playing there and seeing the different parts of the country.
 
“It’s always been somewhere that I have wanted to go but just with the flight times and things, I have never got round to it,” he said.
 
“Obviously, I am looking forward to playing there but just seeing the country, I am quite excited about as well.”
 
Celtic will tackle the Central Coast Mariners, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory over the space of 11 days. All three sides are members of the A-League, Australian football’s top flight.
 
Although yet to face opposition from down under, Wilson expects them to perform at a similar level to American teams he has played against in the past.
 
That means a stern physical test, but ultimately a useful exercise in the build-up to the forthcoming campaign.
 
 “I am sure it will be a good test,” he said. “Obviously in pre-season the games will always be difficult for us because it’s very hard getting back into it.That’s always been the case when we got to America and things like that.

 
“I am sure it will be much the same as American teams. Australian football is up and coming just now and has been going on a while, but it’s improving almost every year now, and they are getting some ex-Premier League players to go out there and play which has really upped the profile of their game.
 
“I am sure it will be a hard test and the players playing it will be physical. You find with these countries that they are all athletes and very good technically. It will be a very good test and well worthwhile going out there for, with the Europa League qualifiers which will be coming up.”
 
Along with the European fixtures, the early SPL start means hitting the ground running is vital. That’s why Wilson and everyone among the Celtc party will be attaching great importance to the Australian expedition.
 
“Obviously at other clubs you want to get off to a flying start but it’s not as important as it is at Celtic, where you have to hit the ground running, win your first game and go on a run from the first minute.
 
“At other teams, you might get away with losing or drawing the first few and make up for it in the season.

“We have to start fast and win every game we possibly can. The pre-season is one of the most important parts of the season as it gets you ready for a long year ahead.
 
“You really have got to choose the right place to go, and obviously the manger and the coaching staff feel Australia is the right place for us to go to prepare for what is going to be a really important season.”
 
Ticketing details:
 
Central Coast Mariners v Celtic
7.30pm Saturday, July 2, ANZ Stadium
Tickets from Ticketek, 132 849
http://premier.ticketek.com.au/
 
Pre-sale for following groups commences Tuesday, May 24:
Central Coast Mariners Members
Celtic FC and Official Celtic FC Supporter Groups
Football Family (FFA)
Football NSW Registered Players
Ticketek Members
ANZ Stadium and Trust Members
 
Public sale now on.
 
Perth Glory v Celtic
5pm Saturday, July 9, NIB Stadium
Tickets from Ticketmaster, 136 100
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
 
Pre-sale for following groups commences Monday, May 23:
Perth Glory Members
Celtic FC and Official Celtic FC Supporter Groups
Football Family (FFA)
Ticketmaster Members
 
Public sale now on.
 
Melbourne Victory v Celtic
7.30pm Wednesday, July 13, AAMI Park
Tickets from Ticketek, 132 849
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/
 
Pre-sale for following groups commences Monday, May 30:
Melbourne Victory Members
Celtic FC and Official Celtic FC Supporter Groups
Football Family (FFA)
Ticketek Members
 
Public sale to be advised.