Celtic were well beaten by Sporting Lisbon
Celtic supporters have been going mad over the fact more strips have been launched this summer than new signings secured.
However, the one fresh face who has arrived immediately demonstrated his quality in the Hoops.
Colombian forward Camilo Duran netted on his debut just 10 minutes after entering as a substitute to make an instant impression.
The £6m man’s contribution provided a rare bright spot in a 4-1 defeat against Sporting in the Algarve.
Celtic have devoted the summer to commemorating the 60th anniversary of the club’s finest hour, with a collection of Lisbon Lions-inspired kits being sold, reports the Daily Record.
Yet it’s another date looming larger – with the vital Champions League qualifier just five weeks away and the league opener in slightly over a fortnight.
The Bhoys remain without several crucial players and were given something of a run-around by the Portuguese giants before capitulating late on following numerous substitutions.
They were lucky only to trail by one before Duran’s equaliser, with Sporting accelerating late on to win comfortably.
The striker has proved a welcome recruit but the fanbase desire more – and there were even some ‘sack the board’ chants from a section of holidaymakers in attendance.
It was somewhat light-hearted but the discontent will intensify if fresh arrivals aren’t secured to sport the stylish jerseys in the weeks ahead.
Celtic’s international contingent will return to action next week but it’s evident reinforcements are required – particularly with several important players virtually on their way out. Sporting CP were also without several key players, yet still fielded a formidable lineup—and Celtic were fortunate not to fall behind early on, with Ricardo Mangas and Geny squandering clear-cut chances.
The latter caused considerable problems for makeshift left-back Liam Scales throughout and eventually broke the deadlock, converting Gabriel Silva’s cutback on 24 minutes.
The Bhoys found it difficult to contain Sporting’s attacking tempo and were forced onto the back foot on multiple occasions.
However, they ought to have drawn level around the hour mark when Callum Osmand set up Luke McCowan, only for goalkeeper Joao Virginia to thwart the midfielder’s effort.
Duran wasn’t to be stopped though, as he pressured defender Eduardo Quaresma into an error before slotting home an equaliser.
Sporting responded immediately following defensive confusion between substitute goalkeeper Ross Doohan and Dane Murray, allowing Daniel Branganca to restore their advantage.
Branganca nearly added a fourth after Ricardo Manga had struck from close quarters during a chaotic eight-minute spell that saw three goals fly in, leaving Celtic reeling.
Here are five talking points….
Hungry like a wolf
While the evening didn’t go to plan for Celtic, Duran’s instant impact offered reason for optimism.
The 24-year-old overcame an upset stomach to emerge from the bench and swiftly claim a debut goal.
The £6m acquisition from Qarabag is capable of operating wide or centrally, but it’s the latter position he’ll be expected to fill until additional striking options are secured. His goal was quintessentially Daizen Maeda-esque, with the forward relentlessly pursuing a defender before slotting home.
While it’s still early, Duran appears to be the ideal replacement for the Japanese pressing dynamo.
Selling the jerseys
Celtic donned their Stadio National-inspired third strip here, just hours after unveiling their new away kit.
However, fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with more new jerseys than signings this summer.
A quick glance at social media reactions to each launch reveals many want the club to invest in players before they fork out for additional merchandise.
Duran has arrived for a substantial fee but presently the squad is weaker than the one that secured an incredible Double last season.
With several current stars also linked with departures – including skipper Callum McGregor – the chequebook will need to come out soon.
Midfield crossroads
Paulo Bernardo dropped so far down the pecking order last season he became virtually invisible.
The midfielder demonstrated considerable promise in his initial seasons with Celtic and the £3.5m deal to convert his loan spell from Benfica into a permanent transfer was a no-brainer.
However, the former Portugal under-21 skipper appears set for an exit, though conversely he might spot a chance to fight his way back with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate expected to depart. Bernardo featured for 45 minutes in the match and, while he saw an attempt cleared off the line and demonstrated some tidy play when afforded space, opportunities were limited and there wasn’t much to catch the eye.
He requires match practice, but having failed to impress O’Neill last term, don’t bet on it happening.
Help on the way
Supporters are eager for fresh arrivals, but the imminent return of several established players will undoubtedly alter the landscape over the coming days.
World Cup stars including Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Benjamin Nygren, Yang Hyun-jun, Sebastian Tounekti and Daizen Maeda are all set to rejoin the squad shortly.
Celtic may need to resist approaches for players such as Johnston and Nygren, while Maeda is anticipated to depart.
However, the majority of that group will undoubtedly prove crucial to the team’s fortunes in the forthcoming weeks.
Style council
It remains pre-season and there’s no cause for alarm just yet. However, it will be intriguing to observe Celtic’s approach in their remaining warm-up fixtures ahead of the Premiership curtain-raiser.
O’Neill has indicated his desire to introduce his own philosophy this term, but with numerous absentees, evidence of that has been scarce thus far.
That ought to shift with key personnel returning – and potentially even fresh additions – though the Hoops have only Middlesbrough this weekend and AC Milan seven days later to trial any tactical innovations.
Plenty of uncertainties surround Celtic at present.
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