Magic Mahrez shows his real value yet again
RIYAD MAHREZ produced a moment of pure magic at Celtic Park to show why Arsene Wenger is willing to break the bank and make him Arsenal’s record signing. The Algerian trickster lit up the Premier league last season. And on a day when he was again linked to a £47million move to the Gunners, the Leicester ace dazzled once more. His dreamy curling shot past Craig Gordon seconds after half time was a reminder of his talent – and the fight the Foxes have to keep him. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reckons Leicester can surprise everyone again – if they keep Mahrez. He said: “He’s a fantastic player. “He scored a great goal, but he was scoring that sort of goal all of last season. “He’s top class and it’s important they keep him. He seems like a good guy and looks happy. I would say there is no need for him to move. “If he does I think they can surprise everyone again. You can see that confidence in them now they’ve won the title.”
Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri started with a sprinkling of the stars which rocked football and became champions last season.
With striker Jamie Vardy not joining up until Ranieri’s stars reach Los Angeles tomorrow ahead of their clash with Paris Saint-Germain next weekend all eyes were on Mahrez.
And the 25-year-old did not disappoint, showcasing the talents which electrified the Premier League last season.
He was Leicester’s main threat in a competitive first half in which Celtic matched up to Ranieri’s men. But when it came to shackling Mahrez, the Hoops struggled to lock him down and he almost scored after 24 minutes with a shot that fizzed just wide of Craig Gordon’s post.
Before that Celtic went close after a smart shot by Moussa Dembele brought a fine save from new keeper Ron-Robert Zieler. Zieler superbly saved a 37th-minute free-kick by Leigh Griffiths as Celtic put on a decent show considering they face a marathon trip to Kazakhstan to face FC Astana in a Champions League qualifier in midweek.
Ranieri freshened up his side at the break bringing on Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Simpson, Jeff Schlupp, Robert Huth, Shinji Okazaki and new record signing £16m striker Ahmed Musa.
And just seconds after the re-start they took the lead with a superb curling shot by Mahrez.
Backed by the majority of the 32,658 crowd, Celtic were not about to surrender and defender Eoghan O’Connell coolly levelled.
In the penalty shoot-out that followed defender Daniel Amartey scored the decisive kick after Celtic’s James Forrest had missed at 5-5.
It brought the first trophy of their season – and Ranieri will be hoping it is not the last.