Celtic went down in a shootout against Everton after impressing over a goalless 90 minutes but this will always be remembered as the Old Firm game that never was, writes Michael Gannon from the ACCOR Stadium.
The Hoops were due to square up with their fierce foes in Sydney today but the Ibrox club didn’t fancy being part of the Ange Postecoglou homecoming tour and the Toffees were drafted in instead. The punters enjoyed a party regardless and got to see their Celtic side look the part against the English outfit but just fail to add the finishing touches that would have secured a deserved win.
It didn’t come but Postecoglou got the reaction and performance he demanded at the sensational Accor Stadium – where he won the Asia Cup with the Socceroos in 2015. The manager was less than chuffed with his side against Sydney, but there were on it against the Toffees – and it would have been a comfortable win had Kyogo and Liel Abada buried a couple of sitters and made a ricket of the spot kicks.
Giorgios Giakoumakis ballooned one over the bar and Reo Hatate hit a post with the first two efforts and Joe Hart’s save from Stanley Mills wasn’t enough. And there was even an Old Firm element – with ex-Gers ace Nathan Patterson notching one of the spot kicks. The youngster relished the moment but he didn’t half have his hands full trying to tie down Jota, with the Portuguese in the mood to show off. The Scotland star managed to get booked in the kind of game where a hint of GBH would only merit a minor ticking off.
Send Haksabanovic was doing the same to his man on the other side as Celts completely bossed the opening period.
Matt O’Riley saw a couple of digs blocked, a lively Kyogo was denied by Asmir Begovic, while Reo Hatate lashed one just over. Everton were dangerous on the break and should have scored when Neal Maupay sneaked around the back of Carl Starfelt but scooped his attempted dink wide of the mark. There were some tasty tackles flying in for a friendly – none more so than Isaac Price’s eye-watering lunge on O’Riley.
It was just as well the Hoops playmaker managed to absorb most of the impact and the midfielder would have been up the tunnel if this had been a competitive clash. Celtic’s best chances in the opening half game from dead balls though, with Jota clattering the bar with a free kick and David Turnbull testing Begovic’s reflexes from another one just before the break.
The keeper brilliantly stopped Kyogo early in the second half after a superb Celtic move. Anthony Ralston opened up the Toffees with a terrific ball down the channel and Haksabanovic squared by the Japanese ace couldn’t lift the ball over the giant goalie.
O’Riley drilled over but Everton had chances too, with Maupay going around Joe Hart but hitting the side netting. Celts were still in control and could have sealed it at the end when James Forrest picked out Abada, but the attacker couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball deep inside the six yard box to set up the spot kicks.
Here's 3 talking points from Sydney.
PREMIER LEAGUE CLASS
It’s always hard to properly judge in bounce games but this was an interesting encounter against a team with ambitions to be competing at the top end in England.
On this evidence Celtic have a good few players who could cut it at that level. Jota is more than capable and Scot Nathan Patterson won’t come up against many tougher opponents on a weekly basis in the EPL.
Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate world also stroll it while Sead Haksabanovic is another who wouldn’t look out of place at that level.
The money down south makes it the prime market for Celtic to punt players and these guys are top assets already.
Don’t be surprised if they get the chance to prove their Premier League class in the near future.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
It seems a bit harsh nip-picking after a friendly but there were some familiar sights for Celtic that might niggle at Postecoglou.
Like the lack of a cutting end at key times as a killer in the Champions League and there was a hint of it against Everton. Celts hogged the ball and got into some great positions, only toot quite pull it off at the final moment.
The Kyogo opportunity early in the second half was case in point as the little striker should have burst the net when he had just the keeper to beat. In fairness, it was a great save from Asmir Begovic but last season he probably would have stuck it away.
Perhaps the rest will be good for the hitman to polish up the shooting boots a tad for the rest of the campaign.
STAR STRUCK
A long-haul trek around the globe for a couple of friendlies might not be a lot of players’ idea of fun.
But this trip will have done the world of good for Carl Starfelt. The big Swede is one who needed the games after his long injury lay-off.
He still looks a tad rusty and there were a couple of ropey moments against Everton that could have been punished.
But he settled in to the match and it was a decent test up against a Premier League frontman such as Neal Maupay.
Moritz Jenz has forged a formidable partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers in his absence and it’s going to be interesting to see who will get the nod when Celtic return to action.
The imminent arrival of Yuki Kobayashi will add more competition and it’ll be a decent fight for places in that part of Ange Postecoglou’s team.
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