BRENDAN RODGERS declared himself “really pleased” after Celtic eased to a 4-1 win over Portimonense SC today as they completed a positive week in Portugal.
The returning Hoops boss beamed as he watched Reo Hatate net the opening goal from the penalty spot with Liel Abada, Ben Summers and Oh Hyeon-gyu also getting on the scoresheet in the closed-doors encounter.
Joe Hart also produced a fine diving save to prevent the hosts equalising with a spot-kick when the keeper got down swiftly to his right to push away an effort destined for the back of his net.
Rodgers said: “It was excellent. We’ve had a fantastic week, so to finish off with a decent performance and a good result for the guys, even though that is not the most important thing at this stage, I was really pleased.
“Obviously, the heat’s been sweltering here, but in terms of the intensity and some of the football was very good. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m really pleased.
HAPPY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers was “really pleased” with the 4-1 win in Portugal. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
“You can see with some of the goals we scored, our pressing high up the pitch and looking to win it, and then we took our chances. So it was a really good run-out.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “For some of the guys, the international guys, it was their first bit of game-time. but, overall, it’s been a really good week.
“It’s been a tough week for the players and the staff, because there’s been no real time in the schedule for much, but they’ve worked really well in this first part of the tour was really pleasing.”
Oh, scorer of the fourth and final goal, will be joined at the Hoops by his South Korean compatriot Yang Hyun-jun with a deal announced by K-League outfit Gangwon while the match in Portugal was in progress.
OH YES…South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the fourth goal in Portugal.
The winger could be quickly followed by Kwon Hyeok-kyu with a deal imminent for the Busan anchorman, as CQN reported yesterday.
Rodgers and his squad are now heading for Japan with games scheduled against Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday and Osaka Gamba three days later.
The champions return to face Wolves at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin a fortnight today and then there is the James Forrest testimonial match against Spanish ace Athletic Bilbao at Parkhead on Tuesday August 1.
The competitive action will get underway when Ross County visit the east end of Glasgow on Premiership Flag Day on Saturday August 5 with a 12.30pm kick-off.
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