From a defensive aspect, Martin O’Neill won’t be too happy with what he saw out in Portugal from his Celtic players.
The only plus side to it is the fact that it’s a pre-season friendly, so in that sense, there is no need to go overboard and allow the team to move forward.
But Sporting were a constant threat to Celtic in Lisbon on Tuesday night, and when Camilo Duran scored for the Hoops, there was life in the game and a much-needed equaliser.
However, Ross Doohan, who had come on as a substitute only minutes before, had a moment to forget, which led to Sporting retaking the lead.
Everything went to pot after that, but speaking on CelticPlayer, Peter Grant explained what Doohan did wrong, and how the likes of O’Neill and goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods will be picking out his technical mistakes.
Defeat for Celtic in Portugal! 🚨🤔🍀
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Peter Grant critical of Ross Doohan’s mistake as Celtic lose to Sporting Lisbon
“Ross has to open his body and go the other way,” said Grant. “He has to open it up on his right foot, and the full pitch is open.
“Now he smashes it at Dane Murray. That’s what I talk about: small details. Ross playing for a couple of minutes, obviously; it’s never easy.
“That’s the point Martin will be making. That’s the point the goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods will be saying: ‘You should have given yourself a little bit more time. If you get a pass back in that situation, open your body and go the opposite way.’
“Martin will be disappointed that they lost a goal so quickly after getting back into the game.”
There is a reason why Doohan is the third choice at Celtic
First and foremost, it doesn’t help a goalkeeper when he is introduced into the action midway through the second half, pre-season friendly or not.
Added to that, as a keeper, if you make a mistake, then you are done for, unlike your outfield teammates, who can get away with it a lot more.
Plus, Doohan came onto the pitch with practically the Celtic B team, which, once again, didn’t help his cause, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t immune to criticism.
He didn’t help himself when receiving the ball, and made a real horlicks of the situation, and proved why he is Celtic’s third choice keeper.
Funnily, as of this moment, Doohan is actually the second choice because Viljami Sinisalo is the number one, and he is behind the Finland star, but it seems as though Celtic are trying to change that by recruiting a new man between the sticks.
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