CELTIC will conclude Vale of Leithen's 125th anniversary season next month.

The Premiership champions will take on Chris Anderson's team on Sunday, July 24 at Victoria Park.

Anderson, who has already made 16 signings during the summer, is looking forward to the arrival of Brendan Rodgers' team.

He told us: "It's great that the fixture has been arranged and it will give the players a boost ahead of the season starting.

"We will hopefully get a good crowd along for the match.

"I am happy with the way the squad is building although we know it will be a difficult league to compete in."

Anderson, who took over from Mike Lawson at the end of last season, has retained eight players from the 2015/16 squad - James Elliot, Andy McQueen, Jay Stevens, Ainslie Hunter, Steven Lynch, Liam McIntosh, Jordan Gill and his assistant manager, Keith McLeod.

The former Spartans and Gala Fairydean striker has also been busy bringing in new players.

Former Spartans quartet Danny O'Donnel, Robbie Manson, Sean Stewart and Blair Atkinson have all agreed terms.

Former Gala defender Andrew Common, who has spent the last couple of seasons at Dunbar, has also signed.

And Ben McGregor, who was part of the Stow squad last season, has put pen to paper.

Matt Underhill from Stirling University is also heading to Victoria Park.

Chris added: "We have plenty of experience with the players we've signed as well as a few boys who will make the step up.

"You need a squad of around 20 for the Lowland League campaign. The Vale have struggled for numbers in recent seasons and that has cost them.

"I am pleased to have kept the players we have. James (Elliot) had several offers to go elsewhere and he has decided to stay which is a bonus for us.

"I have invited a few more players to join us for pre-season and we will hopefully bulk the squad up to 20 before the season starts."

Vale will begin their pre-season fixtures against Tynecastle at Victoria Park on Wednesday, July 6.

They will face Peebles Rovers on Monday, July 11, before taking on Bonnyrigg Rose and Heriot-Watt University ahead of the Celtic match.

Vale begin their pre-season training this weekend.