Celtic announce surprise October fixture as Brendan Rodgers talks up ‘great occasion’

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The Celtic first team, led by Brendan Rodgers, will be taking part in a friendly match away to Sligo Rovers in October.

The fixture was announced out of the blue on Friday afternoon, with Celtic heading across the Irish Sea during the next international break.

It will take place at the Showgrounds in Sligo on Wednesday, October 9th at 7:30pm, with tickets set to go on sale via the Rovers website.

Celtic season ticket holders will receive priority for purchase until 5pm on September 10th.

Brendan Rodgers talks up Celtic trip to Sligo Rovers

The Bhoys boss said: “When you’re working at a club like Celtic you are reminded every day of its history, so it’s great to be able to visit and play in Sligo, a place where the club has so many amazing links.

“The game takes place during the international window so it’ll be a good workout for the first-team players who aren’t involved with their countries that week.

“We know there is a huge Celtic following in Ireland, nowhere more so than in the north west, so it will be a great chance for so many to see the players in action.

“For myself personally, it’s always great to go home so this is a trip I am really looking forward to but for everyone else of course, both sets of fans and both clubs, I know this will be a great occasion.”

Big Celtic names could be involved in Ireland

A total of 15 Celtic stars are currently involved on international duty and it’ll be a similar number heading off next month, too.

However, players such as Callum McGregor, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and new signing Luke McCowan could all be involved on the Ireland trip in some capacity.

No doubt Rodgers will be eager to give most of the minutes to fringe players not getting week-to-week action such as Odin Thiago Holm while youngsters like Francis Turley could be given a big chance to impress if they are not involved in youth internationals.