Five things we learned as Celtic impress in 2-0 win against Sporting CP

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Celtic put in their best performance of pre-season with a 2-0 win against Sporting CP.

This was Celtic’s first visit to the Estadio Algarve since 2008 as they faced the last season’s champions of Portugal, Sporting CP.

Brendan Rodgers named a near-full strength side for the first half and although both teams worked to create opportunities, they couldn’t break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes.

The Bhoys came out of the traps in the second half after Johnny Kenny was fouled in the box, allowing Reo Hatate to score for the second game running thanks to a penalty that went in with a helping hand from the goalkeeper.

Most players were handed 70 minutes to get more game time under their belts and those who came on inthe last 23 minutes were able to see it out as a great through ball from Kenny sent Luke McCowan on his way to glide through the Sporting defence and slot the ball home.

With that, here are five things we learned from the fourth game of pre-season.

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Benjamin Nygren continues to shine

At FC Nordsjaelland, Benjamin Nygren was deployed in the attacking roles as a striker but the summer signing found himself in a new position.

Rodgers decided to name Nygren as part of the midfield trio alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.

Arne Engels and/or McCowan have been occupying that position in the international players’ absence but with Nygren hoping to learn from McGregor, early indicators suggest that he will be playing there this season.

Celtic’s pressing will cause teams so many problems

The high press has always been a common feature of Celtic’s games, especially when Daizen Maeda is part of the attack, but it was frightening to see how relentless it was.

All 11 players on the pitch at any one time understood the assignment against the Sporting defenders, who didn’t enjoy a moment’s peace.

Considering this is pre-season it was brilliant to see how sharp everyone looked and this is only going to be a problem for opposition sides domestically and in Europe.

Adam Idah won’t be glad to see another striker in

Shin Yamada is on his way to Celtic, as confirmed by Kawasaki Frontale, which is bad news for Adam Idah.

The £9m striker had an opportunity to show he deserves to be the main striker but squandered numerous chances put on a plate for him and was taken off at half time to be replaced by Kenny.

What’s worse is that Kenny played a role in both goals and Idah will now be fearing the worst about his starting spot.

Celtic must get a right winger in before the start of the season

Nicolas Kuhn may have angered Celtic fans after joining Como, but nobody can deny that his goalscoring exploits will be missed.

Kuhn scored 21 times last season and with Jota not back until 2025, James Forrest is the only out-and-out right winger in the squad.

Daizen Maeda and Hyunjun Yang are also available as wide options, as is forgotten man Marco Tilio, but once Yamada comes through the door a right-sided winger must be next.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha seems the most likely candidate and if so, he needs to be in before the season starts.

Dane Murray will have a part to play this season

Cameron Carter-Vickers is still continuing his recovery from injury which means that the centre-back slots have been there for the taking.

Liam Scales was slammed by fans for his performance against Estrela da Amadora but started again on Wednesday night.

Starting alongside him though was Dane Murray, who has been favoured ahead of Auston Trusty and Hayato Inamura.

Murray played almost 70 minutes in Faro and looked the more comfortable of the defenders once again. Is this a sign to say that we could see more of the 22-year-old?