Celtic took part in a behind-closed-doors training game against Ligue 1 side Rennes this afternoon, in Portugal, losing 4-3 after a hectic first half.
A double from Matt O’Riley and a Kyogo Furuhashi effort provided the Bhoys’ three goals as the French side capitalised on a 45 minutes full of chances at both ends. All seven goals came before the interval.
It was a pressure-free friendly for Ange Postecoglou’s side which was made up of an almost full-strength starting eleven including Joe Hart, Anthony Ralston, Carl Starfelt, Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, Liel Abada, Jota and Kyogo.
The second half was less eventual despite more chances, with events covered by French journalist Nicolas Mangeard on the ground in Portugal.
Postecoglou would go on to make many changes, giving most of his squad a solid run out ahead of the return to competitive action against Aberdeen next week.
The big positive of the afternoon’s events is of course the return of captain McGregor to a starting line-up more than two months after the knee injury sustained away to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
McGregor has been a big miss to the team, despite Celtic finding consistency in domestic results. O’Riley and Hatate have carried the load in midfield with Aaron Mooy also getting a run of starts.
That he’s fit enough to start and come through a match before the competitive stuff even resumes is a major bonus. Especially when you consider everyone feared the worst in the immediate aftermath of his knee problem, which can sometimes rule players out for much longer.
The starting eleven that featured today is likely very close to what we’ll see at Pittodrie, though Cameron Carter-Vickers will be pushing for a spot when he returns to club duties through the week.
Celtic have been training in Portugal all week but will now return to Scotland for a full match build-up at Lennoxtown as Postecoglou and the Bhoys hunt for more trophies in the second half of the season.
In other news, The Josip Juranovic verdict as Celtic star gets special TV treatment; millions added to potential transfer fee.
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