Celtic boss hails Moses
Fit-again Hayes shines as Forrest seals win
BRENDAN RODGERS last night predicted that Moses Odubajo could prove to be a steal for Celtic — if the defender can first prove his fitness. Out of contract at Hull this weekend after two years out through injury, the 24-year-old is at the Scottish champions’ preseason camp in Austria for discussions over a possible move to Glasgow. Stressing that the former England cap would need
SIX months and a day from leaving Dens Park on a stretcher, Jonny Hayes served notice that his Celtic career will belatedly start in the coming season.
This may have been one of those instantly-forgettable early preseason matches which, were it taking place in your back garden, you would be disinclined to open the curtains to watch.
But after such a prolonged period of recovery from a broken leg, the 45 minutes the Irishman was afforded were among the most important he has ever played.
Sharp, direct and brimming with confidence, it was hard to fathom that this was his first outing after such a lengthy recuperation. Both the player and his manager will be delighted at how he showed up here — even against modest opposition.
Hayes was not the only Celtic player hoping for a fresh start. Marvin Compper, not sighted since his one and only outing against Morton in March, was also given a run-out and did enough to suggest he will swiftly add to that depressing appearance statistic.
Rodgers used 22 players here and had James Forrest to thank for sparing his blushes with a fine winner 18 minutes from time.
With the local theatre standing on one side, the Vorwarts Stadium in the picturesque Austrian town of Steyr made for a pleasing backdrop as Rodgers’ side attempted to rid themselves of any ring-rust which may have set in over the summer.
Recently promoted to the second tier of Austrian football, Steyr were the ideal opponent as Celtic set about crunching through the gears ahead of their Champions League qualifier with Armenian side Alashkert on July 10.
There was always going to be a large degree of experimentation for the Scots with a different team, with the exception of the goalkeeper, taking the field in each half.
Rodgers started with a string of development squad players — namely Stephen Welsh, Calvin Miller and Kerr McInroy.
Compper was handed a chance to rewrite his own narrative, Lewis Morgan appeared in a Celtic shirt for the first time while Ryan Christie set about the task of finally establishing himself in the team. With Craig Gordon rested, Scott Bain started in goal with Jozo Simunovic, Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths and Scott Sinclair the initial heavyweight inclusions.
Despite travelling to Austria, none of the French contingent of Moussa Dembele, Olivier Ntcham and Odsonne Edouard was involved.
A sitting midfielder to trade, McInroy was the pick of the fringe players as Celtic struggled to break the minnows down on a playing surface which looked a shade too long for a passing game.
A wayward Miller drive aside, there was nothing to trouble home keeper Reinhard Grobalber in the opening 20 minutes.
Compper came close to making the kind of start he desperately needs this season when he climbed to meet a Griffiths’ corner, but he was unable to keep his header down.
The low-key affair was rather summed up by a bizarre moment at the midway point of the first half. Sent clear on goal by a heat-seeking pass by Christie, Sinclair’s hopes of opening the scoring were rather crudely ended by Grobalber flying out of his box to block with his hands.
In a competitive match, it was a red card all day long, but the local referee made do with the award of a free-kick and a word in the ear. In any event, Griffiths fired the set-piece over.
Morgan grew into the match. One impressive bob and weave down the right ended in him launching a fierce strike which saw Nicolas Wimmer, Steyr’s towering centre half, block with his head.
On the other flank, Sinclair too had his moments. One impressive dart from left to right saw him evade three red shirts. The attempted finish, though, was weak.
Morgan fared better when played in by a cute pass by Brown on the cusp of half-time, his meaty strike requiring Grobalber to shovel it over the bar.
Shaping with a back-three, Rodgers’ second team of the day saw Hayes make his first appearance since Boxing Day with Eboue Kouassi, Ewan Henderson, Scott Allan and Jack Aitchison also handed chances to impress.
Hayes certainly caught the eye from the outset. He bounded away from three home defenders to tee up Forrest. The winger failed to hit the target.
The Dubliner’s next involvement was to put a corner right on Jack Hendry’s head. This time, Grobalber pulled off a fine pointblank save.
The best chance of the opening hour fell to Steyr, though. Having timed his run in behind the visitors’ defence to perfection, Simon Gasperlmair froze and shot weakly into Bain’s arms.
Forrest squandered another chance after more Hayes’ trickery had set him up before an incredible block by Michael Halbartschlager denied Allan the opening goal.
TV replays subsequently showed the Austrian had saved the ball with his hands and was behind the line. Where’s VAR when you need it?
It took until the 72nd minute for the breakthrough goal to arrive but, for the small pocket of Celtic fans, it was well worth the wait.
A neat exchange between Allan and Henderson preceded Forrest gathering the ball 30 yards out on the right.
The winger’s pace and dribbling sent the tiring Austrians into a panic. Forrest showed them no mercy and dispatched a low strike into the far corner from 15 yards.
As ever on these occasions, the result was of less importance than the need to gain match sharpness. But Rodgers will take it all the same.