Great showing in Como last night, now focus on the real deal

Celtic finished their pre-season on a high note after defeating Saudi side AI – Ahli on penalties to earn a third place finish in the Como Cup after the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

It was a much better performance after that disappointing showing in the second half against Ajax when Celtic had a Dortmund-like collapse, and in many ways was a polar opposite of the game against the Dutch giants.

In Thursday’s game we were competent and assured in the first 45, and collapsed completely in the second 45. Last night we looked a bit out of sorts in the first half, but looked the much better side in the second against a decent and sometimes over zealous side who clearly wanted to prove a point while playing in Europe.

These games are nothing more than training sessions for players to gain fitness and try to catch the eye of the manager. It’s all about preparation for the real challenges ahead and in August Celtic have some really significant matches including trips to Pittodrie and Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership and most importantly of all the UEFA Champions League qualifier – which Celtic simply MUST WIN.

Players such as Viljami Sinisalo, Auston Trusty, Hayato Inamura, and debut Bhoy Shin Yamada certainly impressed last night, and will have given the manager some much needed food for thought ahead of flag day next Sunday. Given the transfer fees involved both of the new Japanese Bhoys look like real finds and Imamura should comfortably be able to fill that second left-back role while Yamada looks sharp, fast and capable of finishing as he showed twice last night in Como. It’s early days but Shin certainly impressed Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic support.

Pre-season is thankfully over. We enjoyed the wins over Sporting and Newcastle with their horrible support sent packing from Paradise with their tails between their legs. Now it’s time to focus on the real deal starting with St Mirren on Sunday afternoon.

Bet you can’t wait!