Rodgers highlights fitness benefits despite Hayes injury in defeat

Brendan Rodgers was able to put a positive spin on events at Celtic’s Austrian training camp where the Scottish champions went down 1-0 to Bohemians Prague on Saturday.

Dominik Hasek recorded the game’s only goal on 35 minutes, Celtic having already suffered a blow when Jonny Hayes, pictured, on his comeback from a leg break, limped off.

Emphasising the training nature of these fixtures, Rodgers made ten half-time substitutions and later declared himself more satisfied with the fitness benefits than concerned about the defeat.

A clutch of new signings were unveiled in the weekend pre-season fixtures and Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson was delighted with at least one of his new acquisitions as Danny Johnston, the former Gateshead player, scored the only goal against Irish League Champions Crusaders in Belfast.

Like Motherwell, Aberdeen also had a debutant matchwinner in their clash with Irish outfit Cobh Ramblers at the Fota Island Resort in Cork. Chris Forrester, signed from Peterborough United, capped an impressive appearance with the only goal, converting Graeme Shinnie’s pass.

Elsewhere, St Johnstone went down 3-0 to Croatian side NK Osejik at their Austrian training camp where manager Tommy Wright gave 22 players an outing.

Clyde secured an eye-catching 4-2 win over Alloa Athletic, David Goodwillie scoring one and setting up two of the Bully Wee’s goals.

Forfar Athletic also got the better of a team from a higher division, Jamie Bain netting the only goal against Ayr United at Station Park. Stranraer were 5-0 winners at Cumbernauld Colts while Edinburgh City similarly pulled rank over nonleague opposition with a 4-0 home win against Whitehill Welfare. Dumbarton geared up for life in League 1 with a 3-1 success at East Kilbride while Stirling Albion secured a 2-0 victory at Dalbeattie Star.

Stephen Dobbie, last season’s top scorer in the Championship, took over where he left off with two for Queen of the South at Annan but it wasn’t enough to secure victory, the League 2 outfit hitting back through Tommy Muir and Aiden Smith.

Anither prolific marksman Rory Mcallister was on target as Peterhead won 1-0 at Montrose, Cowdenbeath had the same margin of victory at Civil Service Strollers, Dunfermline edged out East Fife 2-1 at New Bayview while Elgin City beat Kelty Hearts 2-0.

Rather than making countless substitutions in one game, Inverness Caley took part in two matches, winning them both 5-0 – against Keith and Strathspey Thistle.