Experimental Celtic side ends their campaign

IT was defeat for an experimental Celtic’s last evening in Ireland as their International Champions Cup campaign came to an end for 2016.

In Frank de Boar’s first game in charge of Inter Milan, the Italians found a goal in either half to ensure no winning experience for a youthful Cetic line-up.

While this final “pre- season friendly” came on the 50th anniversary season of the famed Lisbon Lions European Cup win over Inter Milan, this Limerick fixture was far removed from that famed night with just 12,873 attending in the 26,000 Thomond Park.

Normally home to Munster rugby, Manchester City were among recent teams to play in the Limerick stadium in soccer friendlies, while it also previously hosted the Republic of Ireland in friendly games with South Africa and Australia.

With Wednesday’s UE FA Champions League qualifier against Hapoel Beer Sheva in mind, Brendan Rodgers sent out a line- up which included just one survivor from last weekend’s opening game of the new Scottish Ladbrokes Premiership against Hearts – Stuart Armstrong.

The line- up did see defender Dedryck Boyata end his injury nightmare and return to first team duties after a Summer that saw him miss out on the European Championships with Belgium.

For Boyata it was a return to Limerick – in 2012 he was among the scorers when Manchester City were 4-0 winners over Limerick FC in a pre-season friendly.

Eager to impress new manager Frank de Boar it was the Italians who had the best of the early chances.

Just two minutes had lapsed when Leonardo Fasan was called into action to tip over a Banega shot after a nice exchange between Icardi and Perisic.

The pressure continued to come from Internationale and Fasan again had to be smart to deny Perisic in the 11th minute after an anxious moment for the returning Boyata.

It was Ryan Chr i stie that brought the Celtic support to life in the 20th minute but his low drive was easily saved by Handanovic.

Slowly Celtic found their feet and Christie was again involved in the 28th minute when a delightful flick from captain on the night Cifti put Armstrong through only to be denied by the keeper’s feet.

The final Celtic chance of the half fell to Henderson.

Janko did well up the right but when he cut back from the endline, Henderson drove over. But then came the Inter goal. Their fourth corner of the opening half and it was Eder that headed into an empty net at the back post after Perisic had glanced at the near post.

Unlike the opening half, it was Celtic that enjoyed the better early chances in the opening minutes of the second half.

The second of three early

corners was worked to Izaguirre and his cross was made by half time replacement Ambrose but his powerful header was just over the crossbar.

Growing in confidence, neat passing on the edge of the area saw a chance fall to Ciftci but his superb volley crashed off the crossbar and over.

He caused some problems for the Italians in the opening half and again in the 61st minute Christie showed some nice footwork but his low drive across the box was intercepted.

But for all the pressure from the Hoops it was a counter-attack from Inter Milan that had them 2- 0 ahead on 61 minutes.

The finish was sublime from replacement Antonio Candreva, who left Fasan stranded with a delightful chip after a through ball from midfielder Icardi.