With many of Celtic’s senior players still on holidays it was a youthful Celtic team that took to the field last night to take on Scott Brown’s Ayr United. The Celtic team also featured a number of fringe first team players and fans favourite, Kyogo who scored Celtic’s only goal from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw.
9,000 fans turned up at Somerset Park for the opening of the new stand on the night that the cream of World Football were turning out in the Euros for Spain, Germany, France and Portugal and available to watch on TV. Friendly games such as last nights are a great chance for younger Celtic fans to enjoy an away day with their parents.
Brendan Rodgers used all 25 players named in the matchday squad including 3 goalkeepers. It was noticeable that Siegrist was not one of them and Celtic fans were wondering where he was with still 2 years left on his contract.
Oh who played 45 minutes last night could be on his way out if Celtic can get the Adam Idah deal over the line with interest coming from Belgian Club, Gent offering somewhere in the region of £4m. The South Korean fell down the first team selection pecking order when Idah came to Glasgow on a short term deal.
Idah’s contribution was outstanding, scoring some very important goals away to Motherwell, Hibs and the rangers to help secure the SPFL trophy and he made our summer with that late winner at Hampden to wrap up the double.
Irish underage international, Bosan Lawell was the stand out Celtic player on the night and the manager spoke of him and the qualities he has after the game. Stephen Welsh captained the team and spoke about the importance of the game for getting the fitness levels up ahead of the stat of the season.
Next up Wednesday night Celtic take a short journey from the East End of Glasgow to the Southside to play Queens Park. Tickets were only made available for this one to the home teams season ticket holders but it will be streamed on Celtic TV.
Rocco Vata has moved on to Watford, as Celtic fans wait for news of who will come into strengthen Celtic’s first team. The club is awash with money and selling clubs will know this. Celtic have plenty of money in the bank and the share price is now at its highest value in 23 years.
Celtic are expected to bank another £30m from the upcoming Champions League but will need to add quality to the team to compete at European Elite level and that has to start with a goalkeeper who is on top of Brendan’s shopping list.
One Celtic player still involved in competitive football is Alister Johnston who will now line up against Messi’s Argentina in the midweek semi-final of the Copa America after a penalty shoot out victory over Venezuela.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes Celtic Fanzine
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