There cannot be many more intoxicating teams in world football than Celtic. Ange Postecoglou's men have a seldom seen quality in the game, the ability to make the mundanity and routine of pre-season friendlies a thrilling joy-ride. Enthusiasm for friendly matches can understandably be low, the tempo slower than the proper thing and lacking a semblance of edge.
None of that has been the case during the Scottish champions’ preparations so far. Twenty three goals and no shortage of feisty challenges and yellow cards across four outings.
Coming away from Celtic Park, supporters should be rubbing their hands at the prospect of what is in store for when the competitive action gets underway.
And so should the neutral. Celtic, with 12 months of Ange Postecoglou’s influence drilled, seeped and cajoled into them, should, in theory, be an even greater, more refined force.