Virgo expects Celtic to be fit Bhoys

Celtic defender Adam Virgo insists the pre-season trip to Poland was about regaining “fitness and sharpness”.

The Hoops were beaten by Legia Warsaw and Wisla Krakow this week as they began their preparations for the new Bank of Scotland Premier League campaign.

Virgo, 23, played in both games and predicted the squad would be fully prepared for the new season after the trip to the United States and subsequent home friendlies against Everton and Manchester United.

The domestic campaign begins for Celtic with a home match against Kilmarnock on July 29.

The Glasgow giants will also play at Chelsea on August 9 after a match in Japan against Yokohama F Marinos six days earlier.

Virgo said: “The games in Poland were really designed to get our fitness, sharpness and touch back.

“We had chances in both games, but it didn’t really happen for us.

“However, everybody got a good run and we all look forward to the games in the States next week.

“With the American tour, and games against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea to look forward to, we should be well prepared for the start of the season.”

Celtic will begin their US tour with a game in Washington against DC United on July 12, before facing Chivas de Guadalajara of Mexico two days later.

Gordon Strachan’s team will complete their tour with a match against New England Revolution on July 19.

Former Brighton centre-back Virgo believes the variety of pre-season games will stand the team in good stead.

He told the club’s official website, www.celticfc.net: “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a different footballing culture over in America.

“The stadiums and facilities are excellent, the weather will hopefully be perfect and we’ll be coming up against a different type of opposition.

“We’re used to playing against good technical European sides, but I’m sure the sides we face in America will be a tough prospect as well.

“They’re very much into the scientific side of football and it will be a different test for us.

“Pre-season is all about getting to full fitness and I think we will all be in prime shape come the start of the season against Kilmarnock.

“We have six or seven games against a good-quality opposition lined up over the next few weeks and it should stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”