Celtic 'alter' pre-season plans as Northampton Town friendly cancelled amid Austrian tour

Northampton Town have claimed a friendly with a Celtic XI next week has been cancelled.

Ange Postecoglou's side are flying out to Austria for pre-season shortly. Those who spent June on international duty will link up with them in preparation for a Premiership title defence and Champions League group stage football. A match was also due to take place on home soil against the English League Two side this Wednesday, which has now been called off. It would have likely have been made up of players out with the first team squad.

Lowland League side East Kilbride thrashed a Hoops XI 6-1 on Saturday as new term preparations for those involved provided a harsh lesson. Cobblers boss Jon Brady said: "It's a little bit disappointing but it can't be helped and it gives us an extra day's training and we will be able to embed more of our philosophy, which is really important. There will be some team bonding and stuff on leadership skills.

"We are looking forward to going to sunny Scotland – hopefully it’ll be nice and warm up there! We want to use the time for the group to bond and bring everyone together. That’s very important."

St Mirren have now confirmed they will face Northampton on Tuesday night. It comes after their friendly with Hartlepool United was cancelled.

Postecoglou's men face Wiener Viktoria and Rapid Wien this week. Further friendlies against Banik Ostrava, Blackburn Rovers, Legia Warsaw and Norwich City await later this month.

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