Cape Town - Bloemfontein Celtic coach Clinton Larsen has predicted a bright future for the club following a successful campaign thus far.
Phunya Sele Sele lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup in December when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in the final in Durban. They are currently eight on the PSL log standings, and also had a successful Nedbank Cup, only narrowly losing to Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals.
They had also been challenging for a top-four finish before a run of five matches without victory saw them drop down the league ladder, although a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows on Sunday left them in the final MTN8 qualifying position with four matches to go.
"Even though results have not gone our way in recent weeks, I think the team has been showing a lot of improvement," Larsen said on the Football411 website. "They've continued to show fight and character throughout the winless run and I am really encouraged by that.
"I believe we're building a team here, we're playing the right brand of football that we've been trying to at the club.
"The core group is made up of a seriously talented group of players. We have some exciting guys here... if you look at Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lerato Manzini, 20-year-old Limbikani Mzava in defence, Lyle Lakay, 21, these are the future of the club, so I feel that by next season we will be hitting our straps.
"The future of this club is bright."
Celtic next face Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL on Saturday.
Phunya Sele Sele lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup in December when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 in the final in Durban. They are currently eight on the PSL log standings, and also had a successful Nedbank Cup, only narrowly losing to Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals.
They had also been challenging for a top-four finish before a run of five matches without victory saw them drop down the league ladder, although a 1-0 win over Golden Arrows on Sunday left them in the final MTN8 qualifying position with four matches to go.
"Even though results have not gone our way in recent weeks, I think the team has been showing a lot of improvement," Larsen said on the Football411 website. "They've continued to show fight and character throughout the winless run and I am really encouraged by that.
"I believe we're building a team here, we're playing the right brand of football that we've been trying to at the club.
"The core group is made up of a seriously talented group of players. We have some exciting guys here... if you look at Ruzaigh Gamildien, Lerato Manzini, 20-year-old Limbikani Mzava in defence, Lyle Lakay, 21, these are the future of the club, so I feel that by next season we will be hitting our straps.
"The future of this club is bright."
Celtic next face Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL on Saturday.