Celtic rounded off their pre-season tour with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Czech outfit Banik Ostrava. Targets from Kyogo, Matt O'Riley, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Liel Abada capped a wonderful exercise for Ange Postecoglou's facet after Eldar Sehic opened the scoring.
It was a midsummer pleasant with a slight twist as Banik's rowdy followers packed out the Metsky Stadion to rejoice the membership's one hundredth anniversary. And whereas that get together ambiance spurred their heroes into an early lead, it was a largely assured and dynamic show from the Premiership champions as Postecoglou once more gave minutes to a raft of gamers.
Celtic will now return to Glasgow for a gathering with Blackburn Rovers after what can be thought of a profitable camp overseas. Postecoglou's facet took management of the early possession however have been virtually caught out by Jota's wayward move again into midfield. There would've been no fast emergency however for the very fact Joe Hart had been taking over place some 35 yards from his purpose within the opening minutes.
Nemanja Kuzmanovič tried to lob the keeper from the midway line as he scrambled again however the ball bounced simply huge. Minutes later, nonetheless, Celtic gave away an opener Postecoglou will really feel was simply as low-cost. The guests did not cease a cross from deep on the again put up and Sehic caught Josip Juranovic napping to complete past Joe Hart.
Banik's lead was short-lived, nonetheless, as Juranovic made amends by cleverly slipping in James Forrest and he squared for Kyogo to faucet house an equaliser. The purpose was sufficient to ease Celtic into a gradual rhythm. Gamers have been being inspired to push as excessive as potential and it wasn't lengthy earlier than not less than six or seven have been commonly occupying Banik's last third at each alternative.
It quickly bore fruit as David Turnbull picked out O'Riley working from out to in and he curled a pinpoint shot throughout Jan Laštůvka and into the far nook. Banik had been spurred on by the get together ambiance surrounding the event however because the closing phases of the primary interval approached, Celtic's dominance had largely saved that in test.
They may properly have added a 3rd, too, however efforts from Forrest, Juranovic after which O'Riley sailed over from the sting of the field. Postecoglou rung the modifications on the interval, introducing Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Anthony Ralston, Alexandro Bernabei and Giakoumakis.
And it did not take the ever-reliable Giakoumakis lengthy to make an influence, twisting to volley house Ralston's clipped supply to internet Celtic a deserved third. The place the primary interval had been performed at an depth belying it is place at peak pre-season, the tempo dropped off after the restart as either side rung the modifications.
Sub Bosun Lawal made a formidable begin off the bench however was caught by Muhamed Tijani's run and he slotted previous Benjamin Siegrist, on for Hart on the hour mark, to scale back the arrears. Any suggestion of a Banik revival proved short-lived, nonetheless, as Liel Abada squeezed house from a good angle after Giakoumakis was denied.
3 speaking factors
Sweeper keeper
Pre-season is that briefest of home windows for managers to experiment in a comparatively pressure-free setting and Postecoglou has proven he is not afraid to strive the unorthodox. Final summer season it was the inverted full-backs, which has since change into a staple of Celtic's play.
And there have been recommendations the supervisor is pondering the deserves of stationing Joe Hart larger up the pitch in sure conditions. Celtic loved swathes of possession on this encounter and, regardless of virtually being caught out from distance early on, Hart was usually noticed pushing up alongside centre-backs Cameron Carter-Vickers and Stephen Welsh.
Whether or not it turns into a staple of Celtic's strategy stays to be seen - it does carry appreciable dangers as was proof within the opening minutes when Jota misplaced a move in a midfield. Nevertheless it was nothing if not fascinating to observe.
O'Riley activates the type
Avid viewers of Celtic's behind the scenes coaching clips will certainly have noticed Matt O'Riley wanting as sharp because the razor which retains that goatee of his in test. The 21-year-old has that uncommon ability of with the ability to escape the tightest of spots with the ball at his toes and the complete extent of his expertise was on present on the Metsky Stadion.
His motion is simply as easy as his first contact and he is adept at gliding into areas at simply the appropriate second to obtain the ball. It is that impeccable sense of timing that opened the door to Celtic's second purpose as he made himself out there for a Turnbull move earlier than lashing house from distance. As ever right now of 12 months, all eyes are on Celtic's new signings to see how they could slot in going ahead. Nevertheless it'd be a sensible wager to again O'Riley being the person to observe at Parkhead this season.
Strikers staking their case
It is the very definition of a "good downside for the supervisor" however that is to not say it will not be a tough one. Postecoglou was spared the dilemma of how you can accommodate each Kyogo and Giakoumakis for a lot of final season, with the duo not concurrently at full health for lengthy intervals.
However assuming they've each put their harm issues behind them, it's going to be fascinating to observe what the upcoming marketing campaign holds. It is a uncommon state of affairs in that each gamers might make a convincing case for being Postecoglou's primary striker.
They have been each given a half every towards Banik and, predictably, each got here up with targets.
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