a work in progress... hopefully!

Another year, another pre-season and another sense of impending panic setting in among those of us of a more fragile disposition.

After having watched the first three games of our preparation for the new season courtesy of Celtic TV in the company of Ally Begg and Tosh McKinlay (that's me paid for my sins on this earth incidentally) I'm surprised there isn't a crisis looming. After all, last season's Celtic crisis started the week after Jackie McNamara left (James Traynor and company were talking in terms of an exodus at the time) before that it had set in during a tour of the United States which saw MON's team on the receiving end of a couple of hidings. Manchester United thrashed the Hoops 4:0 (it could have been at least double that) and we nearly qualified out of our Champions League group that year.

They are completely meaningless games, of course, and most fans acknowledge this fact. Therefore, there seems little point in dwelling on them or reading too much significance into the games themselves, nor the personnel involved.

As we go to print there are still five weeks to go until the end of the transfer window. We'd like to think that before it slams shut there will be some more significant business done. The time to pass comment on the squad will be when they're off and running.

For the Polish stage of the build-up the World Cup deprived us of the services of Boruc, Zurawski and Nakamura, while injury forced out Balde and Maloney. That's five certain starters, not to mention whoever is still to come in.

For what it's worth, both Polish teams were at a far more advanced stage of readiness than Celtic as a result of having to prepare for early qualifying rounds in European competition so the scorelines were hardly a surprise. That said, there wasn't a great deal to get excited about from our point of view. Hardly a shot at goal in 180 minutes does little to compensate for having to endure the Ally and Tosh show.

If you're looking for positives then Jarosik and McGeady looked good. That's about it. The DC United game in Washington had me squirming as well, and not just because I hate seeing Celtic losing 4:0 to anybody. Any fans who had been looking forward to this particular match and had travelled a distance across the States to get to see their beloved Hoops (actually that new white abomination) in the flesh must have felt as though they'd spent the evening with Larry Olivier's evil dentist from the movie Marathon Man. They're owed an apology at least.

Which brings me to one of the points of this monologue. I well appreciate that although there is a side to pre-season that involves getting the players fit, introducing new faces and trying some new tactics, there is also a commercial side to the business as well.

The States, for example, is an important market (hate that phrase) for Celtic and one that it suits all concerned to cultivate. But how much do performances and results like this enhance our reputation across the Atlantic? How many of the locals are likely to be impressed by what they saw in Washington?

If Celtic are going to do the marketing angle then they owe it to themselves and the people who pay at the gate to treat these games with at least a modicum of seriousness. Our main stars really all ought to have turned out for the show. I have no doubt that the friendlies against Premiership opposition will be different in their nature, but to make an impact in Japan will demand a much better level of performance.

Our choice of opposition is questionable as well, in my opinion. Apart from the aforementioned Poles, DC are in the middle of their season and clearly they were as fit as proverbials. Surely there's a case for warming up against one or two opponents who are, if not pub team goal fodder then at least only as far down the line as us in their fitness level.

Maybe Kenny Miller, for instance, might not have felt quite so much frustration with a couple of easy goals beside his name.

Perhaps the idea is that it is a deliberately demanding schedule in order to get the players into shape for the challenges ahead as quickly as possible. Fair enough, but it can't be good for morale or confidence - either of the players or the supporters - to be on the receiving end of such disappointing results, especially when they are bound to be followed by a wave of negative headlines.

The games lined up for the rest of the month are hardly any easier either. If nothing else I'd like to think that some lessons are being learned and it's better to learn them in these kinds of games than in a Champions League qualifier against Artmedia (swoon - goes for a tranquilliser and a lie down). Best not to think about it too much.

We were saying the same things this time last year. All our best players will come back and things will improve. The new guys will realise that playing for Celtic means you have to go out and perform in every game. More signings will arrive and it'll get even better. All the dead wood will be sold off to make way for better players still. Hell, we might even get a new left back!

Remember, these games don't matter, it'll be all right on the night. These games don't matter... These games don't matter...

MANFRED LURKER