Celtic continued their preparations for the new season with another goal-fest, this time drawing 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers upon their return to Parkhead.
A sell-out crowd was announced pre-match for the Hoops' first home game of the new term but it got off to a horrible start when Blackburn opened the scoring through Sam Gallagher. Quickly they responded with a fine finish from Jota and were ahead at half-time via a David Turnbull free-kick.
Rovers responded with one of their own through Ben Brereton Diaz strike from a deadball situation and that was that in terms of scoring. It follows on from Celtic's pre-season camp in Austria where they beat Wiener Viktoria 7-0 and drew against Rapid Wien 3-3, alongside a 4-2 win against Banik Ostrava in Czech Republic. They travel to Poland on Wednesday for another warm-up match, facing Legia Warsaw in a testimonial-style match for cult hero Artur Boruc.
Here are three things we learned from the match.
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Missing concern
Manage Postecoglou confirmed that midfielder Reo Hatate missed Wednesday's friendly against Banik through a knock. He was expected to be back in training ahead of this but didn't make the squad.
Neither did Greek talisman Giorgos Giakoumakis, who netted in the Banik affair, and then right-back Anthony Ralston trudged off after a heavy challenge.
It wouldn't appear as any of them are particularly serious, but with action just over a fortnight away, he will hope for their speedy returns.
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Jota inspiration
The Portuguese winger displayed clearly why Celtic were so keen to bring him back from Benfica after a successful loan.
He netted a fine first goal, lashing a straight-leg shot into the bottom corner through a sea of bodies. Then he displayed various bits of skill, including an audacious loop over a defender's head.
Jota will no doubt continue to improve as the clock ticks down towards competitive action.
Exciting affairs
You aren't short in entertainment if you are keeping up to date with Celtic this pre-season.
First they racked up seven goals, then a six-goal thriller ensued in Vienna. Another would come four days later in the Czech Republic before turning dials down ever so slightly at home.
While defensively there is work to do, signs of the attacking play which won many plaudits hitting top gear are showing.
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- Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou earns 'inspiring' tag from EPL boss once linked with role
- Celtic hero pictured at Banik Ostrava clash as Hoops round off pre-season trip on a high
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