For Bloemfontein Celtic the 2015/16 Premier Soccer League is done and dusted and it’s fair to say that it has not been a season they would like to remember.

While Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the champions a few weeks ago, there was a lot to play for during the last week of the league.

Celtic managed to secure the 11th place in standings, a position that the club is happy to accept taking into account that not too long ago, relegation seemed to be a real concern.
Phunya Sele Sele managed just 8 league wins this season, to go with their 12 draws and 10 losses.

Importantly, Celtic finished their season off strongly and wrapped up proceedings on Saturday with a 1-1 draw to Polokwane City at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

Captain Bevan Fransman told Voice that he will be taking a total break from the game for at least a week, but added that it will be important to have the right mindset going into the preseason, and taking that into the new season.

“It’s very important. If we didn’t collect those points early in the season, it would have been very tough, considering the results following the Christmas break.

“You have to take advantage with those first points, I think a lot of teams are not quite as organised in those first four or five games.

“The coaches play around to find their best lines and tactics to use on the fields, so I think the teams that are the most organised early in the season normally get the quick getaway.”

Meanwhile, the club’s first departure has been confirmed.

The exciting midfielder, Keagan Buchanan, will be departing the club and this has been confirmed by Celtic’s CEO, Kumbalani Konco.

Buchanan’s contract at Phunya Sele Sele expires shortly and it is believed that the Amakhosi moved quickly to secure his signature.

The player has been sidelined since January after rupturing his ACL in a freak training ground accident in January.

Since moving to Celtic from Cape Town FC, it’s the second successive season the player has been forced to spend the most of his time on the sideline due to similar injuries.

Fransman said it will be sad to see the player leaving the club, however, he is glad that he may be getting the opportunity to further his career at the Soweto giants.

“I think he is looking to move to Chiefs to further his career and there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious. I think he should go for it.

“We see things happening at the highest level in football the whole time. You see players leaving clubs and transfers happening.

The coaches and management have probably looked at a suitable replacement or earmarked one of the players that will fill that role.”

The rock solid and versatile Bafana Bafana winger, Thapelo Morena, has said he would like to play for Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns.

Since January, Morena, has been linked with a move to Chiefs or Sundowns.

It has also been confirmed that for a second year in a row Celtic will not be having player awards. According to the club, the team’s 11th place finish in the league does not justify an awards function. – MORGAN PIEK