Recruits a sign that Celtic mean business this season
‘An almost entirely new team’ will push players to fight harder for places in the starting line-up
Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Mpho Maruping admits that the club’s new signings have added a new dimension that will force the old players to up their game.
Phunya Sele Sele have roped in eight new players to bolster the squad after a disappointing run that ended in a 12th-place finish last season.
Celtic have shown their intention to improve in the new season by reinforcing the side with Lucky Baloyi (Kaizer Chiefs), Given Mashikinya (Cape Town City), Ndumiso Mabena (Platinum Stars), Sipho Jembula (Polokwane City), Ali Abondo (Ajax), Victor Letsoalo (Baroka), Roggert Nyundu (AmaZulu) and Jacky Motshegwa (Baroka).
Celtic coach Veselin Jelusic is expected to unleash his offseason acquisitions in their scintillating opening Absa Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs at the Free State Stadium on Sunday (3pm).
The encounter will pit two opponents with different outlooks this season, with Chiefs having only made four signings while Celtic have signed eight new players.
Maruping has been impressed by his new teammates in training and is looking forward to competing for a place with fellow defensive midfielders Baloyi and Alfred Ndengane.
“It’s exciting to see the new guys adapting well. We have gone out to strengthen in a big way, it’s an almost entirely new team,” Maruping said.
“The competition is tough this season and it will force us all to get better. This season we are motivated to perform even better.”
Celtic had the worst attack last season with the team only managing 16 goals in 30 league games, while their defence was the third best, conceding only 28.
Celtic have in the past proven a tough nut to crack for the big teams but Chiefs got the better of them with a 2-0 pasting in their last clash.
Baloyi may just provide his teammates with the necessary insight into Chiefs to propel Celtic to a positive result against the faltering Soweto heavyweights.