After a rather inconsistent pre-season to date which included a dismal display against Tottenham last time out, Celtic put in a much improved performance against Feyenoord in the Rotterdam club’s Jubilee tournament. Goals from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras gave the Bhoys a deserved 3-1 to end their brief tour of Holland positively.

It is always good to see your strikers scoring in pre-season. That’s why this victory was extra sweet in my view. It gives them the confidence they need to go into the new season. Samaras – who played a minimal role for Greece in Euro 2008 – got Celtic off to a excellent start. The striker curled a fabulous strike into the net after 13 minutes after taking the ball down well from a Paul Hartley pass.

After losing to Spurs in the sunshine on Friday, the rain was falling and appeared to suit Gordon Strachan’s men down to the ground because they doubled their lead just a few minutes later. This time it was Samaras’ strike partner Vennegoor of Hesselink getting himself on the score sheet. He got onto the end of a Lee Naylor cross to head powerfully into the net. It was 2-0 and the travelling Celtic fans were loving every minute.

The Dutch striker went on to make it 3-0 before the interval. Excellent work from the ever impressive Aiden McGeady set up Hesselink who drove the ball in to virtually seal the game for the away side. I have to say that if I was to bet on the Scottish Premier League , I wouldn’t look too far past Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as the leading scorer. He looks in fine form.

Celtic were thankful to Artur Boruc for keeping a clean sheet up to now, but as the teams went in for half time, Celtic deserved their three goal lead. The second half was less eventful and because of the number of substitutions, slowed in pace. After 57 minutes though, Feyenoord got themselves back into the game when Leroy Fer smashed the ball into the net from 25 yards. It wasn’t enough though and Celtic held on for the victory.

The first half performance was enough to suggest that this team does remember how to play. Hesselink and Samaras could form a vital partnership in the SPL this year and on this evidence, it could work well. If nothing else, this victory has done wonders for the optimism ahead of the new season. One thing I can’t overestimate is how important Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is to this side – the majority of Celtic’s goals this year will come through the Dutchman.

All that remains before the season’s curtain raiser is a home game against Manchester City later today. In all things are looking OK for Strachan’s men. Rangers have got plenty of problems, so in reality, Celtic are better prepared for the season ahead than Walter Smith’s side. This could mean a better start to the campaign and therefore, the first step towards retaining the SPL title.

My slight concerns are mainly focused on the defence. Artur Boruc is world class in goal, but I’m not convinced by Lee Naylor or Gary Caldwell in front of him. Hopefully this area of the squad can be added to before the transfer window slams shut.

To finish with for today, let’s take a look at who you might stick some money on when you do your online football betting for this season. Celtic are favourites for the title, so obviously you will back them! Looking deeper into the market though, why not back Motherwell to be the leading side outside the Old firm or St Mirren to finish bottom of the league? There are loads to make the SPL season even more interesting than it already is!

Anyway, that’s me for today. Good luck to the Bhoys against Manchester City tonight and against St Mirren on Sunday. Hopefully I will be reflecting on two victories in my next blog for Armchair Celts on Sunday evening.