CELTIC STAR Mohamed Elyounoussi scored a fine goal last night against a full strength Lyon side but was quick to give the credit to James Forrest for the assist. Neil Lennon had opted to start with what was effectively his second eleven before making ten substitutions on the hour mark to bring on the players he currently sees as his first pick eleven and the team we’re more than likely to see start against the free scoring French Champions Paris Saint Germaine in the French capital on Tuesday evening.
Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the Veolia Trophy was a decent pre-season preparation match for both sides after such a long pandemic enforced lay-off. The test against PSG is such that Neil Lennon will look to his experienced first team stars for the final match of the three match French tour.
And while it was Celtic’s second string who played against a full strength Lyon side last night, on Tuesday Neil Lennon is going to be aware that he’ll only play the PSG superstars for 45 minutes and the second string PSG stars for the rest of the match – or maybe the other way around. That though gives Celtic a chance.
“Lyon was obviously a tough opponent and a good test for us,” Elyounoussi told Gerry McCulloch from Celtic TV after the game. “It’s been a good week of training and these two games have been good for us as well. There are a lot of positive things to take out of here, and now we go again on Tuesday.
“We wanted to press high, get on the ball and be brave on the ball, so I think we did that. We played well between the lines and the goal showed it. It was brilliant from Jamesy, so it was a good test for us and it’s going to be even tougher against PSG.
“We have to be on our toes, and it’s going to make us prepare for the season to start, which is only a couple of weeks now, so we’re going to enjoy it. These 30 minutes went too quick, and I’m looking forward to hopefully getting more minutes against PSG, so we can get ready for the season.
“They have a cup final just a few days after us and they have the Champions League games, so they should be at the top of their form, so it’s going to be a good test for us. We have to be sharp and we’re looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile PSG striker Neymar has sent out a warning to the Hoops ahead of Tuesday’s game at the Parc des Princes, which will be the first match that can (officially) welcome Celtic Supporters since the 5-0 win over St Mirren at Celtic Park on 7 March this year.
PSG have scored 16 goals in their two friendlies so far, beating ex-Rangers boss Paul Le Guen’s Le Havre side 9-0 before thrashing a tough tackling Waasland-Beveren 7-0. Celtic can’t say that they have not been warned.
Neymar always enjoys a moan and this time it was the physical approach employed by Waasland-Beveren that got his back up. “Yes, we were a little scared,” cried Neymar. “We are here for a friendly match, so those types of things should not have been happening,” the Sunday Post reported.
“We are here to prepare ourselves, but also to be careful. But we gave them a little bit back, so there are no problems.
“I was very happy to come back and play at home, with some fans as well. We are preparing little by little to get to the maximum. We keep on improving, and our next test is against Celtic.
“Then we play in the Cup Final and then the Champions League. Rest is not very important.”
Neymar’s manager at PSG admitted that, after the latest free scoring friendly, he’s looking forward to the visit of Celtic to Paris. Thomas Tuchel said: “We created a lot of chances and had no injuries, so it was a good night. The team is very focused and has benefitted from working together.
“We now have had two extraordinary results, and we want to continue that on Tuesday against Celtic. It’s always good to play at the Parc des Princes. It’s a unique, spectacular stadium, and there’s always a special atmosphere.
“Whether we play Le Havre, Beveren or Celtic, it’s our goal to play the best game possible.
“For the match against Celtic, we might give the players 45 minutes each, so they will be fresh for the Cup Final on Friday against St Etienne.”
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