SC Wiener Viktoria 0-7 Celtic

Kenny 10′, 25′. Hatate 13′, Johnston 17′, Jullien 43′, Forrest 44′, Vata 77

It’s good to be back! Celtic took on Austrian club SC Wiener Viktoria today in their first pre-season match of the summer, only a few days after arriving in the country for their sunshine training camp. Celtic started with a strong enough looking line up that included a few first team regulars such as Joe Hart, Reo Hatate and James Forrest.

It also included new signing Alexandro Bernabei, giving the Celtic fans an early glimpse of their Argentinian left back. There was also a start for Christopher Jullien, the Frenchman who many expect to leave this summer and who just recently failed to agree a deal to move to German club Schalke.

The Celtic starting line up was as follows:

Hart, Urhoghide, Jullien, Lawal, Bernabei, McCarthy, Ideguchi, Hatate, Forrest, Johnston, Kenny

As this game started it was quite obvious that Celtic were on a different level to their lower league opponents. Celtic outplayed the Austrians from kick off, and it was easy to see from early on that Celtic had the potential to run up a cricket score in this game, with the Austrians constantly looking a few steps behind their Scottish opponents.

The first goal came inside the first 10 minutes when Irish youngster Johnny Kenny got on the end of a Mikey Johnston cross to tap in at the back post. It only took another 3 minutes for Celtic to claim their second when Reo Hatate scored a nice goal after some excellent link up play with James Forrest.

With only 17 minutes on the clock Celtic made it three, Mikey Johnston adding a goal to his earlier assist as the winger started his pre-season of in style. It took until the 25th minute for Celtic to find their fourth and once again it was lone striker Johnny Kenny’s time to shine with the Irishman scoring a lovely half volley from the edge of the box.

It was nearly another 20 minutes until Celtic would get their next, with the goal coming on the 43rd minute. Kenny almost sealed a first half hat-trick when he rose to meet a cross but unfortunately the ball rebounded of the post and just when it looked like Kenny himself would net the rebound, Christopher Jullien seemed to almost bundle his teammate out of the way as he headed in from close range instead. Let him have this one Johnny, hopefully a few scouts were watching and are interested in a goalscoring centre back.

Celtic immediately went on to score number six, as James Forrest netted just before half time as he added a goal to his earlier assist in what was a good half for Celtic’s three main attackers.

At half time Ange Postecoglou rung the changes, resting some of the more senior players and giving a few of our younger stars some game time. We would also see our new goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist make his first appearance in a Celtic top. The changes at half time were as follows:

ON: Siegrist, Ajeti, Anderson, Summers, Vata.

OFF: Hart, Kenny, Bernabei, Hatate, Forrest.

The second half was never going to be a fluid as the first half with so many changes at the break and as predicted it was a scrappy affair. It took a while for both team to get going and it was clear that Celtic weren’t going to be quite as dominant this half as they were in the first. As the hour mark approached, another two subs were made by Ange Postecoglou with Jullien and McCarthy being withdrawn and Shaw and Dede being introduced. Ten minutes later we would also see Moffat being introduced for Johnston.

The second half looked like it was to become totally forgettable with both teams only able to muster up half chances without either sides goalkeeper being overly challenged. That all changed on the 76th minute when one of the brightest youngsters to be introduced, Rocco Vata, scoring a lovely goal on the breakaway. Albian Ajeti was one of the first to congratulate him after his goal, maybe he could have a discussion with the young Irishman post game and ask him for advice on how to hit the net with such composure and finesse.

So 7-0 it was to end in what was a nice way to ease into a run of pre-season games. A few players I would like to pick out for praise would be our two first half wingers, Mikey Johnston and James Forrest. Both players claimed a goal and an assist and looked dangerous throughout. This will be a big season for both players who can hopefully learn something from new coach Harry Kewell, a winger who had plenty of talent but also struggled with injuries during his career.

Also a few words about a couple of our younger stars who stood out today. I will start with Johnny Kenny who many of us were probably surprised to see lead the line from the start. He did exceptionally well and really should have had a first half hat-trick, a mixture of the woodwork and a centre back determined to get back in the Celtic fans good books denying him that third goal. From what Ange has said previously regarding the Irishman, I expect him to be fully involved with the senior squad this season which will be a good experience and confidence boost for the player. He will find it hard to break into the first team but just being around it will surely help him progress.

Another one I liked the look of was centre back Bosun Lawal. Another Irish youngster on our books, he came in for a lot of praise last season playing for the B-team in the Lowland League and impressed me today. He looked to have a bit of presence about him. For someone so young he seemed very composed both on and off the ball. He was highly rated when Celtic snapped him up from Watford and it looks like he is progressing well.

So on to Saturday now, where a surely tougher challenge awaits in the form of old adversaries Rapid Vienna. It may only be pre-season but my god it is good to have Celtic back!

Conall McGinty