Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers fielded a mixed team comprising senior experience and youthful exuberance during their Hoops’ win against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
In the end, Luis Palma stole the show in Ireland with a hat-trick and delivered a performance that was a few levels above the rest.
Meanwhile, Luke McCowan and Hyunjun Yang were the other main standouts on a night where their professionalism shone through in a clash where they applied themselves admirably.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of Celtic Academy starlets who also demonstrated their potential, including Samuel Isiguzo and Lenny Agbaire, with the former claiming an assist late on.
Post-match, Brendan Rodgers reference improvements Celtic youngsters could make to their game alongside lauding their contribution in Ireland, as he said: “I think it’s physicality. A lot of them need to improve on that aspect. They need to have more running power and get into contention more. They have talent with the ball, but it’s nowhere near enough.”
On immediate reflection, the Irishman’s demands sound eerily familiar when analysed, almost as if he has said something along similar lines in the recent past. Indeed, this isn’t the first time Rodgers has made this demand, amplifying the weight of what he is saying being taken on board.
Brendan Rodgers’ unrelenting Celtic demands on show
Looking back at pre-season, Rodgers delivered an almost identical summary of what he wants to see out of possession, that time laying down the gauntlet to Bosun Lawal and Odin Thiago Holm.
He explained: “That’s why we want to give them the opportunity, so I can see them in pre-season. But, it’s just running more. You have to run. Without the ball, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to be bright, you’ve got to be in good positions to press the game, then to get the ball and take the ball.
“So I think the two boys that you mentioned have talent. But I want more. A lot more. Talent is not just enough. You can play in teams, but not in our team.”
Take the words whatever way you want, but the proof is in the pudding regarding what will happen if you aren’t seen as a suitable fit in Rodgers’ plans. Not long after his admission about the midfield pair, Celtic sold Lawal to Stoke City for a fee rising to £3 million.
On the same token, Holm missed out on the Bhoys’ Champions League squad. None of this is intended as a criticism of either player, both are very talented. Still, it is merely to show that the manager’s ruthless streak doesn’t spare anyone.
Listening and learning is key for Celtic hopefuls
Although it may sound simple to say, listening and learning to every nugget of information provided by coaching staff at Celtic will be critical for first-team hopefuls to turn their aspirations into reality.
Aside from Rodgers, individuals at B Team level are learning from Stephen McManus and Jonny Hayes, two men who forged distinguished playing careers that allowed them to play an important role in Hoops’ successes in the not too distant past.
The midweek test in Sligo was a flavour of bigger things to come if one or two youngsters can play their cards right.
Previously, Rodgers endorsed Celtic bringing through more homegrown talent, there is scope for that to happen if they execute his firm demands.
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