After last night’s match against Shelbourne at Tolka Park, Martin O’Neill’s men are on the road again as the Hoops head to Portugal for a week of warm-weather training and a match against Sporting CP at the Algarve Stadium next Tuesday (July 14, KO 5.30pm).

Celtic’s time in Dublin has been a wonderful start to the pre-season journey for the Bhoys, and, away from the training pitch, the first team have been involved in a variety of events and initiatives, connecting with supporters and members of the community here in Ireland.

Shortly after the team arrived in Dublin on Sunday afternoon (July 5), Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers visited Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, where the young patients were given the chance to have their photographs taken with their heroes and the Scottish Cup.

The Bhoys also handed out gifts to the youngsters and presented the hospital with a cheque for €5000 on behalf of Celtic FC Foundation.

Arne Engels and Viljami Sinisalo also helped the Foundation to launch a new partnership with Dublin-based charity Merchants Quay Ireland. Both players were given a tour of the charity’s extraordinary Jane’s Place facility which offers a daytime support service for women.

Meanwhile, over 70 supporters were delighted to welcome Luke McCowan, Callum Osmand, Colby Donovan and Dane Murray to the Malahide Celtic Supporters' Club, with the four Celts taking the Scottish Premiership trophy along, providing a wonderful opportunity for those supporters to view the silverware up close, meet their idols and have photographs taken.

The entire first team were also delighted to welcome 30 supporters to the training centre on Monday (July 6), giving those fans a unique chance to watch the Bhoys go through their paces and have a chat with players and staff.

The club also gave training access and tickets to the Hoops’ match against Shelbourne to several young supporters and their families through Make a Wish Ireland.

Prior to the team’s arrival in Ireland on Sunday (July 5), Celtic Chairman Brian Wilson, Chief Executive Michael Nicholson and Manager Martin O’Neill attended the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs’ AGM on Saturday, July 4, with over 30 CSCs represented at the event which took place in Cork.

The first team are now on their way to Portugal, where an intense training schedule and a tough test against Sporting CP awaits as the preparations for the upcoming campaign continue.

Celtic head to Portugal following a successful visit to Ireland