Given Celtic were beaten 6-2 yesterday, there’s not much enjoyment to be had from picking the bones over the match.
In fact, hopefully, we’ll all have forgotten about it by this time next week.
However, as a sheer fitness exercise, it was useful.
Postecoglou has confirmed that his squad have come through the match unscathed. That’s a bonus in itself considering he pretty much played what will be his starting line-up against Midtjylland this Wednesday. Ultimately it was another learning experience for this unit of players up against a quality outfit.
In the second half, plenty on the bench got minutes under their belt too.
The headline name, of course, was James Forrest. The winger hadn’t had a minute of pre-season football prior to yesterday. He was included on the bench on Tuesday night against the Danes but didn’t take to the pitch.
Having now come through training and gotten a bit of match practice under his belt, he’s now set to play a role in Denmark this week.
It’s unlikely he’ll start given how sharp Ryan Christie and Liel Abada look on both flanks, but as an attacking option from the bench, he could well be Postecoglou’s ace in the hole.
Forrest still has some detractors, but I honestly don’t know why. He’s one of our best and most influential players. Honestly, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see him take the captain armband from Callum McGregor yesterday.
He had a really difficult season last year with injuries. Undoubtedly, the slow start to his pre-season has been a concern and a blow to his preparations.
However, the stage is set for him to recapture his form of the 2019/20 season when he scored 16 goals in all competitions and assisted a massive 22 more. [Transfermarkt]
Just having him available is a huge boost for the second leg and hopefully the manager finds a useful way to deploy him on Wednesday night.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou explains Ajeti and Ntcham Celtic absence; squad status ahead of Midtjylland.
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