|
After thousands of balloons were released into the Cardiff sky the game gicked off.
City started with Anthony Gerrard and Gabor Gyepes as the centre back pairing. Mark Hudson was away for personal reasons (a family funeral I think it was). Joe Ledley skippered the side and other new signings Paul Quinn (right back) and David Marshall in goal both started the game. Up front Jay Bothroyd and Michael Chopra led the attack.
City: Marshall, Quinn, Gyepes, Gerrard, McNaughton, Parry, Ledley, McPhail, Whittingham, Bothroyd, Chopra.
Celtic played in their famous green and white hoops and a warm welcome was given to both Glenn Lovens, and later, when he came off the bench Willio Flood.
Celtic fans had a few boos for the ex Rangers players in the City side.
The match early on was dominated by Celtic who were cutting through the City midfield but good defending and some sharp keeping kept them out. Cardiff then had their periods of pressure with chances being created and Boruc in the Celtic goal was forced into some smart saves. City did get the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.
After the break City made changes and on came Chris Burke for Paul Parry. Burke on his 45 mins could have been named man of the match, that honour went to Bothroyd for another typical awkward big man up front role.
Ross McCormack, with Burke provided some variety with ball down the line and in the channels to twist and turn the Celtic defence. Only poor finishing and Boruc prevented City from scoring.
Celtic's attack was much poorer in the second half. Samaras may have had something to do with that. He doesn't strike me as being a good attacker at all.
On the plus side for City I thought Anthony Gerrard was excellent and could soon be a first team regular. Hudson will have to impress to be better than Gerrard. Burke looked a great threat and I like the keeper as well.
Not so much negative but areas that could be improved are in midfield, too lightweight at times and McPhail is just not producing killer passes or creating enough magic.
Paul Quinn was just another full back. McNaughton is a class above any of the other full backs at the club. Worringly though he was injured during the game. Hopefully he'll be OK, he does seem to bounce back quickly each time he's hurt.
A crowd of over 15,000 watched the match (when was the last time we had that for a friendly?) with a couple of thousand Celtic fans in the stadium.
It ended 0 - 0, a good work out, not a bad game to watch and certainly not a lazy kick about.
No big screen fitted yet but the TV's were appearing on the concourses as the club heads towards an August 8th kick off for the Championship season.
Next up the team face Swindon away on Saturday and then Valencia at home on August 1st.
External Reports
Wales Online
Official Website
The Herald
Daily Record