AS Celtic’s training camp in Dubai nears its conclusion, Callum McGregor said the quality training time has helped the champion’s refocus and has intensified their hunger for the challenge that awaits in the second half of the season.

Celtic will fly back to Glasgow on Sunday for the second half of the season after wrapping up their week-long warm-weather training camp in Dubai.

It’s the fourth successive year the squad have travelled to the Emirate to prepare for the season run in and McGregor highlighted the importance of the training time.

“With the amount of games in the calendar year, it makes the training time a lot shorter,” said McGregor. “We get pre-season to plan how we want to implement our style of play and getting the boys together on the grass as a group. As the season rolls on, you lose that and becomes more a case of recovering and preparing for games.

“It’s a good idea to come out here, get everyone together and refocus our idea in terms of our identity, how we want to play in terms of our press and passing and moving the ball. It’s been a valuable week in terms of getting everyone together and doing that style of training.”

The Hoops midfielder said the intense sessions in the heat have helped sharpen up the squad both physically and mentally, preparing them for the remainder of the season.

“It’s been tough. The last few seasons we’ve used it really well in terms of getting away for some good training time in the heat. The weather’s been nice and it’s been an intense week.

“The boys have been great. The standard’s been really intense. The coaches have asked for that in terms of really putting the work in and getting that fitness level for the second half of the season up.

“Everyone’s coped well and looked good. It’s nice to get everyone together for a change because there are some boys who’ve missed pre-season, so this gives them a chance to train fully with the group and let everyone see where we’re at.

“There’s a big challenge ahead in the second half of the season. We’ve trained well this week and they boys look hungry so it’ll stand us in good stead for the second half of the season.”

McGregor also had kind words for his Treble Treble team-mate Scott Sinclair, who recently left for club after signing for Preston.

“Scotty was an incredible player for the club," he said. "His statistics over the last three seasons have been incredible so everyone thanks him for his contribution. They boys are grateful for what he’s done for the club and I’m sure the fans are as well. Everyone wishes him well for where he’s going next.”

McGregor: Bhoys are refocused thanks to Dubai training camp