CELTIC are back in action over in Austria tomorrow when they play Bohemians Prague in the second pre-season friendly of the tour. The game kicks off at 2pm sunny Celtic Park time and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking for another win but more significantly to continue to build the fitness levels within the squad after their four week summer break.
The action in Austria got underway on early on Thursday evening and a goal by James Forrest gave the Scottish double treble winners a deserved 1-0 victory over SK Vorwarts Steyr, from the Austrian second tier.
???????????? Day 4 in Austria! pic.twitter.com/ZDHZI69heV
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 28, 2018
Rodgers effectively played a different Celtic side in each half, so maximised the number of players in the squad who got to see some action..
Speaking to Celtic TV after the win, Brendan explained that at this stage it is all about fitness, but still nice to get the win and he had a word of praise for Forrest, the match winner.
“James has got a real hunger for goals now and he took it very well.
“I thought the second-half team were bright going forward and gave them more problems offensively. But the most important thing was to develop our football fitness and it was a nice step for us at this early stage of the season,” Brendan said.
“It was very pleasing to get 45 minutes into the legs of the players. Of course, they’ve only been back just over a week so it was a good exercise and it was good to see the boys back playing as a team again.”
5⃣ positives from SK Vorwarts Steyr
???? Marvin Compper
???? Lewis Morgan
???? Jonny Hayes
???? Academy Bhoys
???? James ForrestFollow #CeltsInAustria with Celtic TV. Subscribe here ➡ https://t.co/OEkbxxC5SE pic.twitter.com/47PIiCZiBa
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) June 28, 2018
Lewis Morgan, making his debut for Celtic, also earned some post match praise from the manager.
“I thought he was excellent and I think he has settled in very well. You can see in the short time he’s been with us that he’s a very bright player and can play in a number of positions.
“He was very effective and looked to beat his man. He was nice and positive and he’s settled in really well.”
After the win, Rodgers and his staff continued with the hard work on the training ground as fitness levels are being restored ahead of the vital Champions League qualifying campaign which starts in Armenia on 10 July.
“We have another couple of hard sessions before Saturday. You can see the guys still have a bit to go in terms of fitness, but it will be another step up for us and we will be that bit fitter on Saturday as well.”
Celtic TV are showing all pre-season games live to all subscribers, including Britain and Ireland.
