Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased with several aspects of his side’s 3-2 victory over Sligo Rovers in a friendly last night.
The Hoops found themselves in a tough battle, with Scott Bain’s performance coming under pressure after letting in two goals. A Luis Palma hat-trick, though, ensured Brendan Rodgers’ side walked away with the win.
The match, played in Ireland, held special significance for the club, as Rodgers took his squad to Celtic’s spiritual home for the fixture.
Despite some early struggles, Celtic rallied to turn things around and come out on top in a second-half display that was much improved from their first-half efforts.
Rodgers was pleased with how his side performed, especially in the game’s latter stages. “It was a really good exercise for us,” he said (Celtic FC on YouTube).
“A lot of our senior players got 90 minutes in their legs which was great.
“It was much better in the second half than the first, we had better tempo, better rhythm and more speed in our game, so we were very good in the second half.
“It was excellent to come out here to Ireland against Sligo – it was a great little test for us with how they played and worked. Overall, I’m really pleased.”
Rodgers will no doubt hope the workout boosts the confidence of his squad as they return to domestic duties.
Celtic have made an impressive start to the season, winning every game bar one so far, but they face a stern challenge in Aberdeen next weekend. Like the champions, the Dons have a 100% record in the league and will be aiming to put a dent in the Hoops’ strong form.
With Palma showing signs of a revival and the squad getting some much-needed minutes, Rodgers will be keen for the Bhoys to carry the momentum gained last night into their upcoming fixtures.
