It is important to acknowledge from the outset that the dynamic of a pre-season friendly is entirely unlike that of a competitive game. Celtic’s international players, who were afforded an additional week’s break due to their summer commitments, have been back in training for only a few days, and the side’s preparations for the friendly fixture against Dukla Prague were not as intense nor as earnest as they would have if the game had been of greater significance. Having made that clear, Celtic’s performance was rusty, disjointed, and witnessed a relatively strong side concede five goals for the first time since a 6-1 defeat against Tottenham in a pre-season friendly last season. Dukla Prague were unquestionably the better side, and were good value for their comfortable victory.
The game was evenly matched for much of the first half, with both Celtic and Dukla creating early chances. In the eighth minute, a measured through-ball from Dedryk Boyata found Leigh Griffiths, whose shot from the right side of the area was deflected wide for a corner. Boyata, however, had an uncertain afternoon, and in the seventh minute lost the ball deep in his own half, momentarily redeeming himself by making an interception, only to direct an underweight pass back towards Craig Gordon, which, if not for the quick feet of the Celtic keeper, could have resulted in an embarrassing start to Boyata’s Celtic career. Dukhla’s first goal was a fabulous finish by Hanousek from the edge of the box, but a critical eye would have identified that, prior to the goal, Celtic lost possession in their own third due to a misplaced pass from Boyata. All players must be granted time to acclimatise to their new surroundings, and I firmly believe Boyata will find his feet, but on the strength of today’s performance, more work is required before he fills the young-player-of-the-year shaped boots of Jason Denayer.
Celtic soon found themselves back in the game, as in the 26th minute Leigh Griffiths confidently placed a penalty in the bottom left-hand corner. The penalty was won by Mikael Lustig who was bundled over after latching on to a lofted through ball from Stefan Johanssen. Griffiths looked sharp throughout the first half, and immediately prior to converting the penalty, he struck a powerful drive that was saved by the Dukla keeper following another through ball from Johanssen. Stefan Johanssen cannot feature in a game without being at the heart of the action, and despite putting in a below par performance, his energy and commitment meant that he was often the conductor of Celtic’s attacking play. The fact that he managed to get into a minor set-to with a Dukla defender towards the end of the second half is indicative of his will to win, and it is clear that he is one of Celtic’s most valuable assets.
In the 35th minute, Dukla retook the lead after an Emilio Izaguirre slip permitted a Dukla attacker to square the ball to Hanousek. His initial shot was blocked by Boyata, before the rebound was tucked away with aplomb. Moments later, Hanousek almost completed a first half hat-trick with a marvellous drive from outside the area which rattled the crossbar. Despite Dukla having the best of the first half, Celtic went in at half time on level terms. Gareth Mackay-Steven continued his notable pre-season form after effortlessly controlling yet another lofted through-ball from Johanssen, and confidently striking the ball across the keeper and into the net.
Celtic found themselves behind soon after the restart, when a tangle of legs between Charlie Mulgrew and a Dukla attacker in the area was deemed worthy of a penalty. Hanousek completed his hat-trick by wrong footing Italian keeper Leonardo Fasan, who had replaced Craig Gordon at half-time. Fasan looked unsettled throughout the game, and his distribution (both with his feet and his hands) was poor. Dukla’s third goal was followed by a period of sustained possession for the Czech club, with Celtic seemingly unable to hold onto the ball, let alone get back into the game. Dukla’s possession was rewarded in the 58th minute, when Hanousek delivered a cross from the right hand side which was met by Mares, who glanced a header past Fasan from the penalty spot, as both Virgil Van Dijk and Efe Ambrose looked on helplessly.
Celtic conceded a fifth goal in the 74th minute, when Kimencik out-jumped the Celtic defence from a set piece. However, Dukla’s celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag. It seemed as though Celtic would induce a frantic final ten minutes when Virgil Van Dijk headed home a Stefen Johanssen free-kick from the right in the 82nd minute. However, Dukla restored their two goal cushion almost immediately, when Prikryl curled the ball around Fasan and into the net for the final goal of the game.
After the match, Ronny admitted that the watching Sjarnan manager Runar Pall Sigmundsson would take courage from Celtic’s disordered performance, and it is clear that an improvement will be required if progression to the Champions League is to become a reality. Celtic supporters are more than aware of the ability Ronny’s side has, yet will be haunted by memories of last year’s infirm performances in the qualifiers. Today’s display is certainly not a cause for panic, but with the qualifiers only ten days away, improvement is imperative, and sooner rather than later.
La Gazzetta Della Celtic 