Celtic’s injury list is worryingly long this morning as Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou counts the cost of the pre-season match against Bristol City last night. With both Kris Ajer and Odsonne Edouard sitting this one out with ‘knocks’ and the likes of Nir Bitton, Tom Rogic or Ryan Christie taking part against the overly physical English Championship side, the Australian manager selected a strong enough side for the game.
However Vasilis Barkas injured his finger in the warm-up and is now a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Midtjylland and worse was to follow with Mikey Johnston pulling up with what looked like a hamstring injury, and Karamoko Dembele being cynically and disgracefully halted as he broke through towards the Bristol City penalty area, from behind in what was a shocking challenge, particularly for a friendly.
The winger looked upset and in some pain as he hobbled off, blanking the attempt at an apology from the Bristol thug who really should have been shown a straight red card. A furious Celtic captain Callum McGregor certainly made his own thoughts on the matter very clear to both the player and the referee.
The upshot though is that both of last night’s wingers Mikey Johnston and Karamoko Dembele are unlikely to be available for Tuesday night. Albian Ajeti also took a knock in the game but stands a much better chance of playing next week.
One for the #BristolCity. pic.twitter.com/d7XDIyJXim
— Gregor MacGregor (@GeeMacGee) July 14, 2021
Speaking to Celtic TV after the 0-0 draw Postecoglou accepted that it had been a tough night for the team. “It was a tough workout for the boys. We had a really solid session yesterday as well.
“But to be fair, we started really well and I thought that for the first 55 minutes, we were really good. We dominated the game, we were playing in their half and creating chances, and didn’t really allow much.
“There were some really positive signs but it’s a fine line for us. We’re trying to get as much work into the boys as well without compromising their wellbeing.
“We picked up a couple of injuries so that’s disappointing but overall in terms of the football, it was another positive step.”
Ange added this thoughts on the increase in quality of the opposition last night from the weekend but was adamant that he was not going to change the style of play to suit different opponents. “Positions are irrelevant, it’s more about how we go about our football. I said to the players before, we’re not going to adjust or change. It’s a challenge, sure, but the most important thing is we want to dominate the game and we want to make the other team adjust.
“Honestly I thought, for the most part, we were really good today,” the Celtic manager concluded.
Watch Ange Postecoglou speaking to Celtic View Editor Paul Cuddihy after the game against Bristol City, below….
