Ange Postecoglou was left impressed by his sides software throughout the first half of their pre-season pleasant towards Blackburn Rovers. And the Hoops boss believes his squad are nicely on monitor to be the place he needs them to be come the primary aggressive sport of the season in two weeks time.
Celtic recovered from a nightmare begin, the place they conceded throughout the opening 30 seconds, with Jota and David Turnbull giving Postecoglou's males a half-time lead earlier than Ben Diaz fired house a late free-kick to degree the scoring. It would've been a pleasant nevertheless it was additionally the primary time the house supporters had seen their aspect in motion in ten weeks so there was that aggressive edge between the Scottish Premiership champions and the English Championship outfit.
And talking to Celtic TV, Postecoglou mentioned: "It was not too dangerous. I believed the primary half was good when it comes to our competitiveness and our efficiency, each groups have been at it and we conceded early however then we obtained a great grip of the sport. Within the second half it obtained scrappy however each groups made a variety of substitutions so it’s exhausting to get into the rhythm for the gamers approaching.
“So the second half wasn’t nice as an general train however that’s the problem of those video games. I believed the primary half was reflective of the work we’ve accomplished thus far, however we’re nonetheless two weeks away from the season.
"We did a variety of work in Austria and right here in Scotland and it’s now about getting the fellows in the very best bodily situation for the primary sport. Meaning working exhausting in coaching and we confirmed within the first half we’re going nicely and the work we’re doing will bear fruit.
"We wish as a gaggle to be able to go after we play Aberdeen right here. How we get to that area is as much as us. There’s a variety of time to organize with a number of good stable weeks already within the bag and now we have two extra weeks now to prepare.”
Postecoglou was with out the injured Carl Starfelt, whereas key stars Reo Hatate and Giorgio Giakoumakis have been additionally lacking from the matchday squad. And he admits he would possibly want so as to add one or two extra faces to the squad.
He added: "We’re undoubtedly going so as to add a few gamers. We’re engaged on that however would count on to do this within the subsequent seven days.
"We needed to be affected person and that was far more necessary than speeding. I’m assured we’re near the top level in bringing in a pair which can assist.
“The squad is wanting actually good however on days like immediately we need to be sure that we don’t lose our effectiveness when a pair are lacking. We had a reasonably hectic schedule final 12 months.
"The fact is we’ll play near 60 video games. Champions League on a weekly foundation will add stress to the squad which is why I’m eager to herald a pair extra, to ensure we’re robust and strong.
"Final 12 months it affected our skill to carry out at a very excessive degree. I don’t suppose it’ll be a much bigger squad, simply extra strong with high quality."
Celtic will now jet off to Poland to play in an Artur Boruc tribute pleasant in midweek, earlier than returning to Parkhead to face Norwich Metropolis forward of the season opener towards Aberdeen.
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