Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has hailed Celtic for their "competitive" showing as Ange Postecoglou rounded off the Sydney Super Cup with penalty shoot-out defeat.
The English Premier League side were held to a goalless draw by the Scottish Premiership champions, but would go on to earn bragging rights over Celtic in the penalty shoot-out to round off Postecoglou's homecoming. It could have been very different had Begovic not denied Kyogo Furuhashi from point blank range at the Accor Stadium, but the Bosnian stood tall to keep a clean sheet for Frank Lampard 's men.
The Hoops will now return to Europe for a training camp in Portugal before they return to their league duties against Aberdeen on December 17 and look to keep the title in the Celtic Park trophy cabinet. Despite the loss on penalties, Begovic reckons that both sides can take a lot from the game and admits he was impressed by Celtic's all-out attacking style.
Following the full-time whistle, he told Everton TV: "It was nice to win, nice to put on a performance, and when you play a team like Celtic you know you're always going to be in for a competitive game - that's exactly what we got today.
"I think the commitment, the effort the attitude was spot on (from both sides), which is exactly what you need. Obviously, we've had a long few days travelling and everything so we need to be fully committed to get a performance."
He also opened up on the stunning save that denied Kyogo the only goal of the Sydney showdown. He said: "Obviously, he is the favourite to score in that situation so for me, it's just about making myself as big as possible and giving it a go.
"It's nice to contribute when called upon. The boys in front of me did a great job all game. I thought we were really tight, compact and aggressive as a unit but, of course, if it comes through and you can help with a couple of saves then that's a good thing for me."
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