Man City boss Pep Guardiola shares thoughts on facing ‘top team’ Celtic

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is looking to use the current USA tour as a good chance to check in on the progress of his Academy youngsters.

The English champions’ initial travelling squad for the match against Celtic is made up primarily of young players, with some established stars such as Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish also included.

City are still in the very early stages of their pre-season preparations and after facing Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys have three other matches across the Atlantic against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.

So Guardiola’s focus for this leg of the tour is to come through without any injuries and check in on some emerging talents that can push for a place in his senior squad.

Pep Guardiola on Celtic vs Man City

Asked what would constitute success against Celtic and in the rest of their USA jaunt, Guardiola said in a press conference overnight [YouTube]: “No injuries. That would be a big success we can have. We don’t come here for the four trophies, we come here to have no injuries, to step up where we are. 80 or 85 per cent of the team is from the young Academy players – the experience will be good.

“We get to play against of course, Celtic, in Scotland a top team. After it’s Milan, come on, Barcelona and Chelsea. These guys playing against these teams, it’s a good experience to see how they can compete. It’s massively important for all of us, for them.

“I want to see all of them. I’m curious to see James McAtee especially, coming back from Sheffield. I have a high opinion of him. I would love to have him and keep him next season with us.

“He’s a special guy who can play in space in the pockets. I think he grew up in terms of physicality and mentality, when you play in the Premier League fighting for relegation you get something special.”

Brendan Rodgers has similar goals for Celtic

Rodgers himself has brought a raft of young Academy players with him on the trip to the USA and even gave starts to Colby Donovan and Matthew Anderson at the weekend.

There’ll be more game time for them against City no doubt, although the Bhoys are a bit further along in their preparations so we could see plenty of established regulars get minutes, too.

Rodgers’ aims are the same as Guardiola’s. Come through the match with injury issues, compete well and step up the intensity of pre-season. He’s made it clear this USA trip is all about best preparing his team physically for the start of the campaign against Kilmarnock.