With guaranteed UEFA Champions League group-stage football returning to Celtic Park this season, the double-winning Celtic squad were allowed an extended summer break.

No European qualifiers mean those players not involved in international matches were able to head off on holiday after Trophy Day, before returning to Lennoxtown on Monday.

Joe Hart was one of those back in for the first day of pre-season and despite the time off, the Hoops goalkeeper, now wearing the No.1 jersey for the new campaign, was delighted to get back to work.

He joined the Hoops on the eve of a crucial Europa League qualifier last summer, so this year he has the benefit of a full training camp with the team, and he believes that can only push him further forward.

Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, Joe Hart said: “I loved the break, it’s always nice going into a holiday after a successful season. It’s an opportunity to be a different person and have a different focus but we are back now and ready to go.

'For a goalkeeper, it’s about getting your body ready to go and getting used to hitting the floor.'

“It’s amazing how your hands have five weeks of not being punished and you need to build them back up and re-programme the brain to get yourself in a frame of mind to get in front of the ball.

“Believe it or not, that’s not a natural thing for a human but we drill it into us as goalkeepers. However, that slight percentage goes away during the summer so it’s all about programming that back into your head.

'Pre-season is different for us. I’m a fit guy but I’m purpose-built to be a goalkeeper, so if you put me out running then you wouldn’t see me again.'

“We need a different sharpness, so the days of everyone running into the woods and running are gone.”

Heading into the new season with two trophies to look back upon gives Hart strength that the group can be successful again in the forthcoming campaign.

However, getting stronger is the target and with a year of the manager’s philosophy already embedded into the minds and feet of the squad, Hart believes this can only benefit the team going forward.

Joe Hart: We're using pre-season to come back even stronger