Ange Postecoglou has credited the efforts of the Celtic youngsters after their first pre-season game of the season against Wiener Viktoria today.
Celtic’s squad for the contest was one packed with youth and fringe players as Ange featured those who returned to pre-season training last week. The international stars, meanwhile, were rested.
That meant that a host of opportunities were handed out to the likes of Johnny Kenny, Bosun Lawal, and Osage Urhoghide to name a few. Owen Moffat, Ben Summers, and Matthew Anderson were some of the other youth talents to feature from the bench.
Kenny in particular stood out with a fine brace but the 7-0 win as a whole will go down well with the Celtic supporters. And speaking to Celtic TV post-match, Ange lauded the youngsters’ contributions to pre-season so far:
“We’ve obviously just started pre-season. The boys who played today, the ones who came in earlier have had an extra week under their belt. We’ve had a good couple of days here, we’re working hard. We’re not going into these friendly games feeling fresh because we’re pushing the boys hard. Considering all that, the intent and the effort was good – particularly in the first half. I’m pleased with the overall effort.
“It’s about fitness, about playing our football, about the standards being set – everything’s included. Irrespective of whether it’s the first or last game of pre-season, we just want to make a mark with everything we do. For the most part it was positive today.
“Obviously through the pre-season we’ve had guys coming in at different stages. So this is a window of opportunity for the young boys to come in and experience the environment and for us to have a look at them. They’ve all acquitted themselves well, they all realise what’s required at this level. They’ve been solid contributors and they were today.”
Several Celtic talents impressed in first pre-season outing
We’ll continue to hammer home the point regarding the lack of quality we were up against, but you also can’t underestimate just how big a period pre-season is for the young players.
There’s massive pressure on them that they’ll also be placing on themselves to show their worth. It doesn’t matter who they’re up against, they’ll know it’s a huge platform for them to catch the attention of not just the manager but the supporters too.
Kenny of course will get deserved praise for 2 well-taken striker’s goals. But Lawal also showed good strength and composure on the ball as he got through the contest with no real issues.
It remains to be seen whether this will spur Ange on to play them against higher opposition in pre-season. But plenty can feel as if they’ve made their mark today.
It was an energetic performance and, perhaps most pleasing for Ange, was a display in which the players refused to lower the intensity levels. That the youngsters are taking that key message on board will surely please the Celtic boss.
Next up is Rapid Vienna on Saturday. Expect a more senior looking line-up to take to the stage for that one.
In other news, The interesting responsibility Celtic boss gave Alexandro Bernabei this afternoon
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