Friendly match
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
The Showgrounds, Sligo

SLIGO ROVERS… 2
(Liivak 17, Trialist 25)

CELTIC… 1
(Bonnar 51)

A youthful Celtic FC B squad put in a positive performance against Sligo Rovers tonight (Tuesday), narrowly losing 2-1 against the League of Ireland side.

After conceding two first-half goals, Jude Bonnar scored for the Hoops early in the second-half but an equaliser unfortunately evaded the Celts.

With a number of the B team regulars currently with Brendan Rodgers’ squad at their training camp, it was a young Celtic side that faced more experienced opponents in Sligo Rovers, but the Hoops acquitted themselves well throughout the 90 minutes at The Showgrounds.

In the opening 45 minutes of action, the Bhoys produced some positive moments in the attacking third.

Ben Quinn was working himself some space down the left, and a few nice interchanges of play almost carved opened the Sligo Rovers backline.

However, it was the home side who were able to take advantage in front of goal, showcasing a clinical edge, which helped them establish a 2-0 first-half lead.

Their first goal came in the 17th minute when Frank Liivak smashes a thunderous volley past Josh Clarke, before a Rovers trialist doubled their advantage with the half-hour mark approaching.

The Hoops best opportunity came just before the break after a lovely move saw Jude Bonnar produce a fantastic reverse pass into the path of Lewis Dobbie.

The forward took a touch before striking towards goal but his effort was blocked by the Sligo defence.

Going into the second half, the Celts grew in confidence in the attacking third and they managed to grab an early goal.

Following some fantastic individual play down the left hand side by Magnus Mackenzie, the left back delivered a pinpoint low cross to the back post, where Jude Bonnar was waiting to tap the ball home.

The Hoops went on the hunt for the equaliser in the second half and had a number of good opportunities to do so. After setting up the first goal, Mackenzie was causing all sorts of trouble down the left and put a number of great crosses into the box.

Substitutes Lenny Agbarie and Thomas Hatton has the best chances from those deliveries, but the Sligo goalkeeper produced a number of strong saves.

Bonnar also came close to grabbing what would have been his second of the game, but again, the keeper was a match for the powerful effort.

Sligo Rovers also came close to scoring their third goal of the night but Josh Clarke produced a stunning save, tipping the ball on to the crossbar.

The game finished 2-1 in favour of Sligo Rovers, but it was another good 90 minutes for the Celtic B team as their pre-season preparations continue. Next up for the Hoops is a friendly away to Alloa Athletic this Saturday (July 15).

CELTIC: Clarke, Osagie, Mackenzie, Trialist, Robertson (Agbaire 58), Ure (Fearns 46), Bonnar, Turley (Cannon 58), Dobbie (Hatton58), Haddow, Quinn (Hale 61).
Subs: Morrison, McLean

Young Celts produce strong showing against experienced Sligo Rovers side