Celtic this afternoon confirmed that Brendan Rodgers will NOT now take his team to South Korea later this month after the Hoops play the two scheduled matches in Japan. Instead they will head back to Lennoxtown a few days earlier than planned to continue their pre-season preparations.

Last week Celtic’s English Premier League side Wolves, our scheduled opponents in South Korea, pulled out of the pre-season trip to South Korea amid concerns relating to the promoter failing to meet their contracted financial obligations.

Glasgow, Scotland, 27th May 2023. Angus MacDonald of Aberdeen and Oh Hyeon-Gyu of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture credit should read: Neil Hanna / Sportimage

Spanish side Majorca and Italian side Roma also withdrew from their contracted commitment to travel to South Korea. Celtic though took time to look at alternatives and attempted to work with the promoter to source an alternative fixture against local opposition. That seems to have failed and this afternoon Celtic confirmed that sad news that the Hoops will not now play in South Korea this month.

😍 Preparations for the 2023/24 season begin at Lennoxtown! #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/f2sPGzb9SA

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 4, 2023

Glasgow, Scotland, 27th May 2023. Oh Hyeon-Gyu of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Photo Neil Hanna / Sportimage

The club statement, via the official Celtic website reads as follows:

It is with deep regret that Celtic Football Club has been forced to withdraw from our match in South Korea.

The Hoops were originally due to play English Premier League side, Wolves, later this month, but numerous financial and logistical operations were not met by the tour promoter, and after weeks of delays, the Club has taken the difficult decision to terminate the contract and pull out of the tour.

The Club and the players were excited about visiting South Korea and giving our fans the opportunity to see the team, but unfortunately, due to factors entirely outwith our control, we have been left with no other option than to withdraw from the match.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will head to Japan for two matches against Yokohama F. Marinos (July 19) and Gamba Osaka (July 22) before returning to Lennoxtown to continue their pre-season preparations.

Very sensible move HH Latest Celtic FC news: https://t.co/d8D8gZNdEz

— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) July 4, 2023

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The Celtic Star’s Summer Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

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