Blackburn Rovers boss expects ‘tough day at the office’ at Celtic Park

The legend that is Jon Dahl Tomasson, takes his new Blackburn Rovers side to Celtic Park on Saturday to face up an Ange Postecoglou side who have negotiated three away friendly encounters without loss and now return to Paradise looking to put on a show for an expectant home crowd.

Jon Dahl Tomasson, head coach of Malmö FF ahead of the UEFA Champions League qualifying match between theRangers and Malmö FF on August 10, 2021 i Photo: Ludvig Thunman

And Tomasson, who famously arrived in Glasgow last year with former club Malmo, pointed out rather publicly how desperate our city rivals were for Champions League riches to keep the lights on at Ibrox, and then duly emptied them from the competition – with ten men – will no doubt receive a warm welcome from Celtic fans.

Yet Tomasson as reported in Yahoo Sports is expecting a “tough day at the office” for his Blackburn Rovers side this weekend, after heading to Dens Park last night and leaving with a 1-1 draw against Dundee. However, it would appear Tomasson opted for a mixture of youth and experience in his starting line-up on Tayside, something he’s perhaps less likely to replicate when he heads to Glasgow’s east end.

“I’m really happy. I think we made some steps physically, good direction with and without the ball. We saw a lot youngsters, with some senior players who took care of those boys, we saw a team creating chances, dominating with and without the ball and getting more or less 75 minutes for them all which is a positive.”

“I hadn’t arranged the games, so we needed to work around how to get the best opportunities for each player to improve, and to see the players but also getting the best physical planning.”

“If I had organised it myself I would have worked it up and always try and hit two tough moments each week, which is what we’re doing at the moment.

“Tuesday was an extremely tough day for those that didn’t play and they will have a tough day at the office on Saturday. You need to have volume, have intensity, and we’re training extremely hard, which is something new for a few of the boys with regards to intensity and they need to work.”

If Tomasson is looking for an intensive work out for his players then he’s heading to the right place for Saturday’s lunchtime fixture. Celtic’s pre-season games have been played at a high tempo, and in the last two of those with a good atmosphere from the stands.

Ange Postecoglou has already stated he’s ‘buzzing’ to get back to Celtic Park after a training camp in Austria and Wednesday’s game in Ostrava, and the Celtic support will be feeling exactly the same way.

With the game included in the cost of season tickets a big crowd will be expected on Saturday and Postecoglou will be hoping English opposition will provide a good test for his Celtic team as we build up to flag day on July 31.

And despite Tomasson playing the kids against Dundee, it is far more likely we’ll see men against Bhoys when Blackburn kick off in Glasgow.

Now where have we heard that one before?

Niall J

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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