Pre-Season Draws To a Close

[Hammer]

Big Kick-Off Looming As Celt's End Pre-Season with a Draw

Celtic ended their pre-season preparations last night against Premiership big-spenders Manchester City at a rain soaked Parkhead in front of a modest crowd of just fewer than 25,000.

Having taken great confidence from their final game against Feyenoord only days earlier, defeating the hosts of the tournament 3-1 with a dynamic and energetic performance, Gordon Strachan decided to use the game against City to run his eye over a few of the squads fringe players.

Riordan and Gravesen were both brought in from the cold and starts were also handed to the young centre half pairing of O'Dea and Cuthbert as well as 20 year old forward Paul McGowan. The youngsters did themselves no harm at all with assured displays but post match comments from the manager would suggest the more experienced pair were only there to give them a feel of what it's like to play in front of big crowds again rather than languish in the reserves.

"I simply wanted them to get used to the enjoyment of playing in front of a crowd again." Said Strachan

City started the first half looking the more assured with very little penetration coming in the final third from Celtic. Following a fine debut season with City, Martin Petrov was looking menacing on the left wing with his driving runs coming inside a main feature of their play. For Celtic, Paul Hartley was as busy as ever in his familiar holding role; reading the play well and popping up all over the place.

The game only really ignited in the second half with the introduction of Caddis and former City striker Samaras for Gravesen and, captain for the night, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. City took the lead in 53 minutes with a well worked goal leading to a Petrov finish from the left hand side of the box but although they looked dangerous at times going forward, Paul Caddis was outstanding in the second half on the right flank and his running power and crossing accuracy caused the City defence allsorts of trouble.

In the 65th minute a brilliant run and an inch perfect cross was squandered by the debut bhoy Paddy McCourt who, in his defence, had just taken to the field with another of Celtics young guns Mark Millar only minutes earlier. Caddis was not to be disheartened however and following another terrific darting run into the box he was unceremoniously felled in what was a penalty of the 'stonewall' variety yet his claims were waved away.

Celtic eventually got the equalising goal they deserved on the 78th minute when a lovely free kick by Millar was put over the line by the sharp McGowan for his first goal for the club. Before the game was over he had another shot come crashing off the bar following great work again by Caddis. Strachan will have been pleased with the end to this game with chances and goals being created by Youth Academy graduates and indeed Celtic finished the game with no fewer than 5 of them on the pitch.

With the transfer window closure getting closer with each passing day and signings at a premium, Celtic will take heart from the performances of a number of youth players who may well see plenty of action in the coming season!

CELTIC Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, O'Dea, Cuthbert, Hartley, Gravesen, Donati, Riordan, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McGowan. Subs -Brown, Caldwell, Caddis, Conroy, McCourt, McDonald, Millar.

MAN CITY Hart, Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Petrov, Jonson, Fernandes, Etuhu, Bojinov, Vassell. Subs - Schmeichel, Ball, Onucha, Evans, Ireland, Ben Haim, Sturridge.