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Hoops kick off new era with a draw

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Mr Shelby, Jun 30, 2016.

By Mr Shelby on Jun 30, 2016 at 9:53 PM
  1. Mr Shelby Moderator Moderator Gold Member

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    Rodgers' revolution begins

    [​IMG] 2 vs 2 [​IMG]


    NK Celje vs Celtic
    Arena Petrol, Slovenia
    Pre-Season Friendly
    30th June 2016


    Well, after weeks of anticipation, the Brendan Rodgers era at Celtic has finally begun. As we so often hear, pre-season friendlies are all about fitness and the players getting their shooting boots back on and Brendan will perhaps be satisfied with what he saw, particularly in the 2nd half against Celje. The game saw two entirely different Celtic sides take to the field in each half, with younger players such as Eoghain O'Connell, Liam Henderson, Anthony Ralston and Jamie McCart all making positive impacts in the second 45.

    The starting team, Rodgers' first as Celtic manager, was set up in a 4-3-3 formation as many had been suggesting prior to the match:

    Gordon; Fisher, Sviatchenko, Ajer, Tierney; Johansen, Bitton, Allan; Christie, Griffiths, Forrest

    The most interesting selection for fans was that of new bhoy, Kristoffer Ajer, who made his first appearance in the Hoops. The 18 year old made a solid enough impression in the 45 minutes he spent on the pitch but the real tests in terms of his ability are of course still to come. I'd expect him to be tried in various positions over the course of pre-season, as he appears to be quite a versatile young player. Having the qualities and attributes to play in both the centre of defence and the midfield.

    As you would expect from such an early season game, the Hoops looked slightly leggy throughout the first half, struggling to create any real chances apart from a Leigh Griffiths snapshot which went just past the post midway through the half. The opening goal came from the Slovenians and in fairness it was very well worked, albeit slightly aided by the Celtic defence going to sleep for a brief moment. Early season slackness, no doubt.

    After winning a corner, the ball was played in low to the centre of the penalty area where it was met by the onrushing Miskic, who slotted it home despite the best efforts of Craig Gordon in the Celtic goal. It was straight off of the training ground and it certainly caught Celtic napping.

    After that goal on the 28th minute, not much else took place until the 2nd half where an entirely new XI would thankfully inject some energy into the Celtic performance:

    Fasan; Ralston, O’Connell, McCart, Janko, Henderson, McGregor, Roberts, Rogic, Armstrong, Ciftci


    As you can see, it was a slightly more youthful Celtic side that took to the pitch for the 2nd half and it certainly made a difference. The Celts immediately looked a lot more energetic and up for putting on a show for the small band of travelling fans who had made the effort to turn up in Slovenia. Despite a better first 5 minutes though, the Bhoys fell further behind on 50 minutes.

    After giving away a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box, Celje captain Miskic once again stepped up to grab himself another, putting the ball up over the wall and beyond Leo Fasan. Albeit with the help of a slight deflection.

    At this point, it looked as though Rodgers might have to settle for a loss in his first game in charge. However, the young Celts showed great character(no Rodgers pun intended) to haul themselves back into the match, with the help of some good performances from the more seasoned pro's Nadir Ciftci, Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic.

    It was the former Dundee United buddies Armstrong and Ciftci who combined on 56 minutes to score Celtic's first of the match. Armstrong showed good persistence and skill to beat two players on the left hand side of the box, before clipping a lovely ball into the centre which Ciftci powerfully headed home. The goal was exactly what the Bhoys needed and from then on they controlled the game for the most part. The returning Liam Henderson and Callum McGregor played a big part in the centre of the park, keeping play ticking over nicely.

    The equaliser came 15 minutes from the end and it was undoubtedly the best of the night. Tom Rogic, who continues to impress every game you see him in, showed Rodgers just what he is about with neat feet just inside the box as he breezed past his marker and coolly dinked the ball over the Celje keeper. It was a touch of class in a game which had often been drab for large parts, understandably.

    [​IMG]
    Rogic grabs his goal

    The Celts continued to push for what would have been a winner but the Slovenians held firm and the match ultimately ended in a draw, which, was probably a fair result on the face of it.

    As we all know, these games are purely about fitness and the result is always a bonus. Considering the humid conditions the game was played in and the fact that the squad are only a few days back in training, it was a good warm up for the much tougher tests to come. Next up in the pre-season schedule is a game against Austrians Sturm Graz, on the 3rd of July.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 30, 2016