Celtic
Watch Report: Duo of Calamitous Scott Bain Errors Against Sligo
Watch Report: Duo of Calamitous Scott Bain Errors Against Sligo
Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain was suspect for two goals this evening as the Hoops beat Sligo Rovers 3-2.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group E – Atletico Madrid v Celtic – Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain – November 7, 2023 Celtic’s Scott Bain reacts before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina
The Bhoys headed across the Irish Sea to take on the Rovers in a mid-season friendly at the Showgrounds tonight.
Manager Brendan Rodgers fielded a team mixed with senior fringe players and exciting academy prospects.
Although Luis Palma put the visitors ahead early doors with a back-post-tap-in, strikes from Kailin Barlow and Simon Power turned the game on its head. Palma, though, scored twice late on to give the Celts a dramatic win.
The Honduran winger will undoubtedly take acclaim for tonight, but focus will surround stopper Bain, who was at fault for two goals.
Barlow’s shot from inside the box, which looked like a simple effort for Bain to deal with, ended up in the back of the net to draw Sligo level in the first half.
The third-choice Celtic ‘keeper fumbled the ball in, much to the delight of the home fans:
Secret How Luis Palma saves Celtic from Sligo embarrassment as Brendan Rodgers left with creeping fringe men issue – 5 talking points
The winger netted a hat-trick as the Hoops ran out 3-2 winners in Ireland
Brendan Rodgers admitted beforehand it felt like a crime he couldn’t give some of his fringe men more first team game time.
The Celtic boss needed Luis Palma to get his side out of jail as the Hoops nicked a 3-2 win against Sligo Rovers when it looked like the Irish outfit were going to them red-faced. Rodgers’ men got a result in the end but he might not feel quite so guilty as several his back up brigade don’t look like threatening to break into the first team any time. Palma gave it a go and has a better chance than most as Celts got off to a flier.
But a couple of shockers from Scott Bain turned the friendly clash on its head and it could have been worse for slack Celts in an alarming opening period. Rodgers gave run outs to the likes of Maik Nawrocki and some of the club’s kids, while Alex Valle got another 45 minutes under his belt and Luke McCowan put in a shift trying to help out the youngsters alongside him. The Showgrounds was bursting at the scenes for the friendly clash between two clubs with historic links.
But the future still remains uncertain to some of the players at Celtic Park. Rodgers’s men probably expected a stroll when Palma pounced to drive it from Yang’s deep cross after just eight minutes against a full strength Rovers side. But a couple of howlers from Bain put Celtic on the back foot for the rest of the first half.
Some slack play in the middle allowed Kailin Barlow to curl an effort from the edge of the box. Bain seemed to be caught between catching it or pawing it over the bar – but did neither as the ball squirmed through his hands and into the net.
Sligo Rovers’ Simon Power celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal of the match with Charlie Wiggett and Kailin Barlow (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
Worse was to follow when he was slow down at his near post to allow Simon Power’s 20 yard trundler in for number two. In fairness, Bain redeemed himself a tad with some smart stops as Rovers threatened to leave Celts red faced.
There was improvement in the second period and by the end Rovers were hanging on for grim life as the Parkhead men piled on the pressure. It looked like they were going to do it before Palma popped up twice at the in stoppage time to tuck in from close range and spare some blushes.
Aye or Naw
He’s become one of Celtic’s great enigma’s. Unfortunately, the £4m puzzle that is Maik Nawrocki was no clearer to being solved last night.
In fairness to the Polish defender, he was probably rustier than an old gate given his lack of game time. There were some nice passes out from the back but he was caught out too many times for comfort against the side sitting sixth in the League of Ireland. It’s a hard one to work out as it wasn’t so long ago, the former Legia Warsaw man was part of the Poland squad and almost went to the World Cup in 2022. Nawrocki has fallen well down the centre back pecking order at Parkhead and don’t bet on a recall any time soon.
Palm door
Luis Palma has landed in a similar boat to Nawrocki – and the wide man also faces an uncertain future. Palma’s old man insisted this week his boy is going to knuckle down to get back into Brendan Rodgers’s good books.
He did look determined to do the business in Ireland. He took his early goal well and was in the right place at the right time to secure the win. He got his reward at the end but whether he is any closer to getting back into the first team – or hanging around behind January, is still a major doubt.
Happy Valle
The borrowed Barcelona youngster got another run out after impressing against Ross County at the weekend. Valle looked a class act against the Irish outfit, comfortable on the ball and with a burst of pace going forward. He’ll be tested more defensively in the weeks to come but he’s got a big opportunity to stake his claim to be the main left back with Greg Taylor likely to at least miss the Aberdeen game after the break. Taylor has been superb in recent seasons and will be a big miss – but Valle now provides solid competition.
Production line
Rodgers wanted to test some of his youngsters and while there are a few prospects in the ranks, it looks like there’s still a bit to go for some of them to trouble the first team.
The manager has high hopes for Francis Turley and the kid showed some neat touches. Lenny Agbaire has the power and physique at the back, but is still pretty raw, while the likes of Jude Bonnar and Lewis Dobbie will have learned a lot from their run out alongside more experienced players like Luke McCowan.
The Hoops have produced players such as Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney, but the next batch have a lot of work ahead to follow in their footsteps.
Emotional journey
This was more than a kick-about for Celtic and for Sligo Rovers. It was a chance to reforge a link between the clubs and the area that goes back to the very origins of the club.
Founder Brother Walfrid hailed from these parts as did club legend Sean Fallon, whose dad helped secure the land for the famous Showgrounds almost a century ago. Son Sean junior was a guest at the game, along with Willie McStay, who was a player and treble winning manager at Rovers in the 1990s. Rodgers also got a huge roar when he addressed the crowd before kick-off. To say Celtic got a warm welcome would be a serious understatement – with 5,000 fans packing out the place – around double what they’d usually get for a League of Ireland clash.
See Report: Palma the hat-trick Bhoy in Sligo
Wednesday, October 9 2024
The Showgrounds, Sligo
SLIGO ROVERS…2
(Barlow 13, Power 17)
CELTIC…3
(Palma 9, 89 & 90)
It was an entertaining win for the Celts as Luis Palma grabbed at hat-trick at The Showgrounds in Sligo as Celtic reconnected with their Irish roots in a wonderful friendly against Sligo Rovers.
Brendan Rodgers’ team made the trip over to Sligo with a changed side hoping to get some minutes in the legs of youth players and those on the fringes of the first-team.
Celtic started brightly at The Showgrounds, with Palma making an early impression by capitalising on a defensive lapse from Sligo. Driving forward, the Honduran’s clever effort just missed the mark.
Palma’s persistence paid off in the ninth minute when he opened the scoring for the Hoops. Luke McCowan and Yang combined superbly on the right, and Yang’s low delivery evaded the defence, allowing Palma to slot home at the back post.
However, Sligo responded quickly and decisively. Kailin Barlow levelled the score in the 13th minute after latching on to a deflected pass. His curling effort was parried by Scott Bain but ultimately found its way into the net.
Just four minutes later, Sligo took the lead through Simon Power, who cut inside from the right and unleashed a powerful strike low to Bain’s right, sending the home support into raptures.
Celtic looked to regain control, but Sligo continued to pose problems. Bain was called into action several times, denying Power and Fitzgerald to keep the Hoops in the contest. Celtic’s best chance to equalise came in the 41st minute when Francis Turley’s deflected effort looped harmlessly into McGinty’s hands.
The Hoops came out firing in the second half and nearly equalised in the 49th minute. Good interplay between McCowan and Irishman Turley ended with a blocked shot, denying the Hoops an early breakthrough.
Palma, who had been dangerous all evening, almost found the top corner with a free-kick from 18 yards in the 52nd minute, but the ball crept just wide. Moments later, Lewis Dobbie had a golden opportunity to equalise from close range, but his header missed the target.
Wave after wave of Celtic attacks kept Sligo pinned back, with McCowan’s effort in the 75th minute cleared off the line by Charlie Wigan’s brilliant header. The chances kept coming, and the Hoops looked certain to equalise when Samuel Isiguzo nodded wide and Yang missed another clear opportunity soon after.
Celtic’s perseverance finally paid off in the 89th minute. Sean McArdle’s cross found Palma at the back post, and the Honduran calmly slotted it in for his second goal of the night.
Just two minutes later, Celtic completed the comeback. Isiguzo, who had been involved in much of Celtic’s attacking play, delivered a fantastic ball in and Palma finished at the back post to secure a dramatic 3-2 win for the Bhoys.
It was a spirited display from both sides, but Celtic’s late show ensured they left Sligo with a hard-earned victory.
Sligo Rovers: McGinty, Morahan, Denham, Wiggett, Hutchinson, Henry-Francis, Malley, Barlow, Fitzgerald, Pearce, Power.
Subs: Brush, Mooney, McElroy, Mahon, Radosaljevic, Malone, Muldoon, McDonagh, Reynolds.
Celtic: Bain, Agbaire (Bonetig 61), Welsh, Nawrocki, Valle (Robertson 45), McCowan, Turley, Bonnar (McArdle 61), Yang, Palma, Dobbie (Isiguzo 61).
Subs: Morrison, Rice, Robertson, Bonetig, McArdle, Dargie, Davidson, Cannon, Haddow, Isiguzo.
Celtic Fringe Players Evaluated in Sligo Rovers Friendly Win
It was a break from the competitive action as Celtic took a much-changed side to face Irish opponents Sligo Rovers. After ninety minutes of quality football in front of a packed-out Showgrounds, Celtic won by three goals to two. While there were many valuable minutes for youngsters on display, Brendan Rodgers used this to give an opportunity to those in the first team who have seen their chances limited. Here on Last Word on Football, with this in mind, we provide our Celtic fringe players analysis and the future implications.
Celtic Fringe Players Analysed
Scott Bain
Despite joining the club in January 2018, Bain has rarely nailed down a place as a number-one goalkeeper. He has played second, and sometimes third fiddle to Craig Gordon, Fraser Forster, Joe Hart and now Kasper Schmeichel.
Ultimately tonight showed why.
With the ball at his feet, he was comfortable, and at times he made some decent saves. Yet as always, there were some moments of madness.
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Perhaps for the second goal you could cut him some slack, with an awkward bounce catching him off guard. For the first goal though, there can be no reasonable explanation of how a shot straight down the thirty-two year old’s throat ended up with him throwing the ball into his own net.
Ultimately though, it changes little. He wasn’t in Rodgers’ plans and functions as an admin tool for home-grown players.
Stephen Welsh
It will have been a special night for the Scotsman, captaining his boyhood club for the first time.
Individually he won his duels and showed great composure, although he was part of a dysfunctional structure in all honesty.
Read More: A change to Football Transfers Forever?
You would expect Welsh to be a bit-part player this season. He has been around the squad long enough to step in aptly and is on a long-term contract. Plus, he fills the homegrown quota. It’s unlikely he will ever be a nailed-down starter but he only needs to look to Liam Scales as inspiration on how quickly the picture can change.
Maik Nawrocki
There were rumours of him heading out the exit door this Summer – although the Polish international has stayed fighting for his place. Although, it seems he is fifth in the pecking order with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Stephen Welsh and Auston Trusty all getting more minutes.
Like Welsh, he barely put a foot wrong. The scoreline looks harsh thanks to two goalkeeping howlers.
There is talent and quality there, it is clear to see, but a lack of pace is evident. Particularly, on the continental stage, that won’t cut it. He’s a Rodgers signing from last season, yet he seems completely out of his plans.
Alex Valle
On loan from Barcelona, a trip to the Showgrounds may have been a culture shock.
He had a wonderful piece of defending to save Celtic from what looked like a certain goal with a one-on-one situation looming. In possession, he did well with the limited options he was given.
With Greg Taylor set to return after the international break the Spaniard will likely be relegated to the bench, however, in his few opportunities, he has shown promise, and should the Champions look to sign him permanently next season, there is the making of a future starter there.
Luke McCowan
He has made brief spells – since signing from Dundee, and the majority have been bright. Tonight, besides two inexperienced youngsters he had a responsibility to be a leader in the central areas. He was bright on the ball at times although lacked the quality connections beside him to get in a real rhythm. Late on he played a wonderful pass through to Yang, which was blazed over the bar.
The diehard hoops fan will be a squad player for the three-in-a-row champions. Should he take his opportunities well, there is potential for more. Only time will tell.
Luis Palma
Since an outstanding start to last season, the Honduran has seen game time hard to come by.
Although tonight, he will have done no harm, with a man-of-the-match hat-trick performance.
In the opening stages, his decision-making was questionable, however, the twenty-four-year-old stepped up in the second half and was Celtic’s main attacking outlet.
Considering the fee he was bought for, he has aspirations of fulfilling more than a squad role, yet it’s hard to see any other outcome at this moment in time solely down to Daizen Maeda’s influence.
Yang
Last season there were brief moments when Yang provided a spark, but with the improved form of Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest, the South Korean has found it tough to consistently make the bench.
He started on the right wing and had an impressive evening. For a brief spell, he swapped wings with Palma and got heavily involved although missed a guilt-edged opportunity.
He rounded off the night with a wonderful assist for Palma’s winner.
A loan move may be the best option for him, as minutes could be hard to come by. An injury or two though, and he will become necessary. Gametime elsewhere is what he needs, but the Champions cannot afford to let him leave, otherwise they would be incredibly short in depth.
Liam McBride
Liam writes for Last Word on Tennis and Last Word on Football as well as Sportingwrap.wordpress and Celticwrap.wordpress. He is soon to join Strathclyde University where he will study Journalism, Media and Communication
Exclusive News: Luis Palma takes Celtic chance with hat trick in Sligo friendly
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic’s Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match 9/10/2024 Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
Luis Palma was impressive as Celtic beat Sligo Rovers in a friendly match in Ireland. The Scottish Champions travelled to the West Coast for the game at The Showgrounds…
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma shoots to score his side s first goal of the match.Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
Brendan Rodgers picked a team that was blended between experience and youth with first team players being supplemented by B Team players. Clearly the manager wanted to use the fixture to give his the players that have struggled for game time in the last few weeks the opportunity to have minutes on the pitch.
Bain’s Blunders
Despite scoring early through Luis Palma, Celtic found themselves down 2-1 after two efforts evaded Scott Bain. The third pick Celtic goalkeeper will have been disappointed to have been beaten by both of the shots.
Celtic controlled the game for large periods and had a number of chances. However, there was no breakthrough. Brendan will have been pleased with first team players like Luke McCowan, Palma, Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki and Yang getting valuable minutes but he’ll have been equally delighted as his side pressed on and got the winner.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic’s Luis Palma celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match with Luke McCowan 9/10/2024 Photo: INPHO/TomxMaher
Palma’s Treble
In the last five minutes, Celtic finally managed to convert their chances with Palma the beneficiary as he completed a hat-trick.
McArdle did extremely well to work to to pen up a crossing position, which allowed the younger the chance to float the ball to the back post and let Palma pounce. Then, with two minutes of stoppage time almost up, Isiguzo slid a tantalising ball to the back post and the 24-year-old arrived to make it 3-2 to Celtic.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher
Brendan started the evening by talking about a game in 1983 that he attended as a youngster where Celtic played Finn Harps. The manager said that he could remember that and he wanted his team to inspire the supporters. The fans will certainly remember this late show from Celtic, especially those that were able to take selfies on the pitch with the Celtic team.
Scotland starlet Ben Doak opens up on Euros blow, how he watched Hungary tie and social media relationship
Teenager reflects on past year – and what awaits him for exciting season
We’ve heard plenty about Ben Doak in Scotland since he burst on to the scene as one of the country’s most talented youngsters, but very little from the teenager himself.
Therefore there was an air of anticipation when the 18-year-old winger sat down to do one of his first major interviews with the Scottish press. “It’s just something you get used to,” Doak says of his media duties. “You’re nervous before it, but then as soon as I start talking, I’m alright.”
Doak is more than alright in a very candid and honest 15 minutes holding court. There is much to like about the dribbler from Dalry.
He’s experienced quite a 2024, returning to fitness just in time to be provisionally called up for last summer’s European Championships, before injury ultimately stopped him jetting off to Germany. With new manager Arne Slot in the door at his parent club Liverpool, Doak was farmed out to Middlesbrough on deadline day and has since won his first two caps for the national team. Included in the squad for the latest tranche of Nations League ties against Croatia and Portugal, he is set to add to that haul.
Ben Doak made his Scotland debut last month. | SNS Group
Doak could be forgiven for being in a hurry now. His past year has been punctuated by injuries and some 18-year-olds with less of a reputation have more senior appearances than him under their belts. “Some lads have been playing for two years already,” he says sagely. “Some lads might start playing next year, like other lads my age. But everyone’s got their own journey, and mine’s just starting now.”
Scotland should be the beneficiaries. Doak is establishing himself in the Middlesbrough first team. The English Championship is a gruelling league, but the former Celtic kid is already relishing the challenge. “It’s good to be starting games,” he smiles.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke had hoped to be giving Doak minutes at the Euros in Germany. Viewed as the team’s wildcard with the ability to unlock defences, his trickery and guile may have changed the direction of an ultimately depressing tournament for the national team. Doak mirrored the feeling back home, being cruelly denied the opportunity to star at a major finals.
Recalling his Scotland summer rollercoaster, Doak explains: “It was weird actually because I hadn’t played from December until May and I’d only just started training that week. I got the call up and I’m buzzing, I’m going to go away, I’m going to be training, I might make my debut at the Euros.
“I came back maybe a tad too early, but I was training shortly after so I was able to just put it out of my mind and get on to the next thing because all I could think about was getting picked again, even for anything.
“It was tough to watch just because I was like, even seeing the lads coming off the bench, I was like, that could be me coming on. It was obviously tough to watch, but I was desperate for the lads to do well.”
How did Doak end up watching the games he should have been involved in? “I was watching it with my mum and my family in the house,” he says. “I went out to watch the Hungary game with my mates and that ended up being a bit of a tough night. I think we all went home early, to be honest.
“But back to being a supporter rather than thinking you could have been out there helping, that’s quite difficult. To be honest, when I was watching it with all my mates and that, I just forgot that I was even picked for it in the first place. I just turned into that wee guy again that was watching Scotland when I was younger.”
Showing his maturity, Doak adds: “I can’t just go, I’ll get picked again, it’s fine. I can’t take that for granted. All I could think about was, I can set goals for myself. I knew there was another one last month, another international break. So I just thought, well, if I can get training and get playing again, I’m in with a good chance.”
And that hard work paid off. Doak was called back into the Scotland squad for last month’s internationals against Poland and Portugal, making his debut against the Poles in a 3-2 defeat at Hampden. He showed glimpses of what he can bring to the table.
“I didn’t really feel like anything, to be honest,” Doak says of his debut. “I came on at 2-1 down. All I was thinking about was trying to help us win the game.
“Obviously that didn’t happen. We got it back to two each, and then there was the penalty in the last minute. It was unfortunate, but after the game, because we lost, it wasn’t that same great feeling that you get.
“So all I was really thinking was, right, next one, next one. And that’s the way I’ve been with everything.”
Doak’s grounded nature comes from leaving his comfort zone so early. He was just 16-years-old when he was spirited off to Liverpool from Celtic. “To be honest, I settled in really quickly,” he says of life England. “I went down when I was 16. I went into digs with a host family. I stayed in one or two of them, and then moved into my own house. It feels normal now. I’m there to play football. As long as I’m looking after myself and living right, then I’ll be fine.”
His attitude towards social media also belies the normal mentality of a teenager. “I think when I first started playing games for Liverpool, coming off the bench and when I made my first start, it’s easy to fall into that and looking at social media and getting a bit too carried away,” he muses.
“The first time I realised it anyway was one game I wasn’t great, I wasn’t good, I wasn’t bad. The first thing you do, you go straight onto social media and you see everyone caning you. I think that was when I realised that these people aren’t your mates. They’ll big you up and then they’ll hit you down just as hard. I just don’t look.
“It’s the easiest thing to do, really, because it keeps you level-headed and you really know where you’re at when you don’t look at that. It gets exhausting reading all the good and the bad.
“What’s the point? What’s the point? The people that know what they’re talking about are in the building with me. If I want to hear any feedback, I’ll go to them, I won’t go to social media.”
The interview finishes with a question on what is his ultimate dream in a Scotland shirt. ‘The next one, anyway, is just to score and win that game,” he replies “I think just small targets for ourselves is the best way to do it.”
Doak may well get the chance to hit them over the next few days.
Brendan Rodgers insists that Premier Sports deal snub by Celtic is ‘reward’ for fans despite Aberdeen TV blackout
The Scottish champions ran out 3-2 winners in the friendly clash with Sligo Rovers
Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic have put fans before finances as he backed Parkhead chiefs TV blackout.
The Hoops boss is fully behind the decision to knock back extra dosh from Premier Sports that will mean the top of the table clash with Aberdeen after the international break cannot be screened live. Celtic – who last night saw off Sligo Rovers in a friendly clash in Ireland thanks to a Luis Palma hat trick – will stick to their guns and hold on to the 3pm Saturday kick-off rather than pocket a potential £75,000 a game extra.
Rodgers said: “I think the club has shown they have really thought about the supporters. They could have easily taken the money. But they have kept it there for supporters who come and see the games. It’s a shame, it would have been a great game for television, but it’ s not to be. It allows us to get a good run into next week and a bit of recovery time before we play again on the Wednesday (against Atalanta in the Champions League).
“We will be ready to go. You can’t win really when it comes to this kind of thing. But the club have put the fans first – and that is important.
“Celtic get a lot of fixtures moved. That is why I was so happy for the supporters at Ross County. Thousands of the travelled every which way to get to Dortmund and obviously the result didn’t go our way.
“The come back and they have to get up for a noon kick off at Ross County, three or four hours away. People come in from all over the country, come in from Ireland, they get late flights, early mornings, you name it.
“So for us to have that support is so important of us, so it was nice to reward them with a win. We know Celtic supporters will go anywhere at any time, but it’s about offering that bit of respect to them when we can, when it’s something we can control like the kick-off times. So I think the club has made a very good decision.”
Sligo Rovers’ Simon Power celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal of the match with Charlie Wiggett and Kailin Barlow (Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher)
Rodgers took a fringe side to Ireland to face Sligo Rovers – and they were given a minor scare. Luis Palma struck twice in stoppage time to secure the win to add to his earlier opener, with the League of Ireland outfit ahead until late after a couple of gaffes from Scott Bain.
The Hoops boss was pleased with the work-out, with Palma making an impact along with some of the Parkhead young players. Rodgers said: “The objective for us was to bring Celtic bring to Ireland which is always important. It was about getting some minutes into the legs of some senior players who haven’t played a great deal so that was a good exercise.
“There was also the opportunity for the young players to come in and see how they played with a bit of a crowd against a good team. Obviously the chance to inspire young people here. I really enjoyed the game and you could see Sligo played some really good football.”
PALMA’S 3-GOAL REMINDER IN LATE, LATE SHOW
LUIS PALMA sent a timely three-goal reminder to Brendan Rodgers in new-look Celtic’s last-gasp 3-2 victory over Sligo Rovers in an entertaining friendly at the Showgrounds this evening.
The Honduran winger, who has rarely figured this season, claimed an eye-catching hat-trick with two of his strikes coming in the fading moments to stave off a surprise defeat.
Rodgers took the opportunity to bring in a host of fringe youngsters while giving the likes of Palma, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh and Yang Hyun-jun some welcome game time.
Luke McCowan also made a start after looking lively in his substitute appearances since his deadline-day arrival from Dundee.
But it was international winger Palma who stole the show with a splendid trio with the first coming in the ninth minute.
McCowan and Yang combined on the right and the South Korean wide Bhoy’s low cross was superbly met by Palma at the back post and he tucked it away with ease.
However, the hosts stunned the Parkhead men with a swift one-two when Kailin Barlow levelled in the 13th minute and Simon Power netted No.2 just four minutes later.
Shortly after the turnaround, Palma came close to the equaliser with a cunning free-kick that just cleared the bar and then McCowan had an effort headed off the line by Charlie Wigan.
Yang was also just out of luck with a drive that flew off target and it looked only a matter of time before the visitors’ pressure would pay off.
Celtic left it late, though, before Palma whipped in a cross from substitute Sean McArdle in the 89th minute and, as the exciting friendly neared a conclusion, the touchline ace struck the winner after excellent service from Samuel Isiguzo.
TEAM: Bain; Agbaire (sub: Bonetig 61), Welsh, Nawrocki, Valle (sub: Robertson 45); McCowan, Turley, Bonnar (sub: McArdle 61), Yang, Dobbie (sub: Islguzo 61), Palma. Subs not used: Morrison, Rice, Dargie, Davidson, Cannon, Haddow.
Sligo Rovers 2 Celtic 3 – Luis Palma’s hat-trick, Scott Bain’s comedy of errors
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher
Good run out for the Celtic squad players at Sligo…
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma shoots to score his side s first goal of the match.Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
With the international break upon us we had the chance to give a run out to some fringe players in a friendly in Sligo tonight. The big guns were either on international duty or back home putting their feet up for a well deserved rest, so it was the perfect opportunity for Brendan Rodgers to run the rule over his fringe players.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Sligo Rovers Kailin Barlow celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal of the match. 9/10/2024. Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
Squad players and young hopefuls
Only Scott Bain, Alex Valle, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Luke McCowan, Yang, and Luis Palma, players you would consider first team squad members started the game. With youngsters Lenny Agbaire, Francis Turley, Lewis Dobbie, and Jude Bonnar completing the starting XI.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Sligo Rovers Simon Power celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal of the match with Charlie Wiggett and Kailin Barlow. Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
Hoops salvaged a 3-2 win
Without being spectacular, the Hoops salvaged a 3-2 win after coming back from 2-1 down thanks to a Luis Palma hat trick, something that will do wonders for his confidence. The young players would have also gained some great confidence playing in the first team while the likes of Maik Nawrocki would have benefitted from getting minutes on the park.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic’s Luis Palma celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match with Luke McCowan 9/10/2024 Photo: INPHO/TomxMaher
Scott Bain blundered badly
As for Scott Bain though it’s a different story. He once again blundered badly for the two goals and showed why he is well behind Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo in the pecking order. It was like that dead rubber disaster at Easter Road in the dying days of the Ange Postecoglou era. Tonight’s disasters were just as bad, maybe even worse.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side s first goal of the match. 9/10/2024 INPHO/Tom Maher
All in all thought, it was a decent run out for our fringe players and a hard found win in the end. The Sligo Rovers boys gave it everything and were just a few minutes away from an historic victory over Celtic.
That embarrassment was saved by Palma’s second and honours even at 2-2 would have been a fair result. But Celtic play to the final whistle and Palma got his hat-trick right at the end to give Celtic the win.
Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic’s Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match Luis Palma is congratulated by teammates after scoring his side’s third goal of the match 9/10/2024 Photo INPHO/Tom Maher
In the end Celtic’s trip to Sligo will be remembered as Scott Bain 2 Luis Palma 3.

Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9.10 2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Hynun-Yang shake hands after the game Photo INPHO Tom Maher
Paul Tisdale ‘targeted’ for senior Celtic role as self proclaimed ‘football doctor’ in line to fill Mark Lawwell void
The former exeter and Stevenage boss is working as a consultant and has previously advised Crystal Palace and Fulham
Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale is reportedly being targeted by Celtic as the man to revamp their football operations, according to a report.
The 51-year-old, who branded himself a “football doctor”, has been working as a self-employed consultant since leaving Stevenage Town in 2022. Now the Daily Mail claim that he is in contention for a senior role with the Premiership champions. There’s a void to fill after the departures of head of recruitment Mark Lawwell – son of chairman and former CEO Peter – as chief scout Joe Dudgeon last March.
Tisdale, once dubbed “the most stylish man in football” due to his touchline attire while in charge of Exeter, sporting a variety of blazers, scarves and trilby hats, has previously acted as an advisor to both Fulham and Crystal Palace. He gave Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins his first team chance at St James’ Park. However, he missed Watkins’ Euro 2024 semi-final winner for his country, instead watching Celtic take on Queen’s Park in a friendly.
“I work as what I call a football doctor,’ he recently told a scouting podcast. “I go into football clubs and I try to find performance-improvement solutions using data and also my experience as a coach.
“I can translate very well from the boardroom to the pitch, and from the pitch to the boardroom, and also deliver CPD (continuous professional development) or coach mentoring. I’m currently into a period where I am doing a bit of a lot of things, waiting for one thing really to take off. (It’s) keeping me busy and I am self employed with my own business and really enjoying it.”
Aberdeen’s Celtic Park Allocation
Aberdeen fans are set to descend on Celtic Park for the crucial top-of-the-table clash on October 19. It’s now been confirmed that 1,150 Dons supporters will be in attendance, with Aberdeen selling out their full away allocation for what promises to be one of the most significant encounters between the two clubs in recent years.
The travelling fans will add extra spice to an already electric atmosphere, with Celtic also selling out their home tickets for this high-stakes fixture.
While Celtic sit at the top of the table on goal difference, Aberdeen’s resurgence has caught the eye, and their fans will no doubt believe their side can pull off an upset.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Celtic v Slovan Bratislava – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 18, 2024
General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The packed Celtic Park crowd of nearly 60,000, including the loud Aberdeen contingent, will create an unforgettable setting for what’s shaping up to be the game of the season so far.
Given the form of both teams and their position in the league, this encounter feels bigger than your average fixture. With a healthy rivalry between the clubs, the presence of over a thousand Dons fans in the corner of Celtic Park will only add to the tension.
There could have been an argument for giving Aberdeen more briefs, but Celtic put out the last of their tickets late last week, so there’s no room to accommodate them now. Celtic will go into the game as favourites, but Aberdeen have shown so far that they never quite go away. Even when they looked like they might drop points they find the win.
Watch: Duo of Calamitous Scott Bain Errors Against Sligo
Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain was suspect for two goals this evening as the Hoops beat Sligo Rovers 3-2.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group E – Atletico Madrid v Celtic – Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain – November 7, 2023 Celtic’s Scott Bain reacts before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina
The Bhoys headed across the Irish Sea to take on the Rovers in a mid-season friendly at the Showgrounds tonight.
Manager Brendan Rodgers fielded a team mixed with senior fringe players and exciting academy prospects.
Although Luis Palma put the visitors ahead early doors with a back-post-tap-in, strikes from Kailin Barlow and Simon Power turned the game on its head. Palma, though, scored twice late on to give the Celts a dramatic win.
The Honduran winger will undoubtedly take acclaim for tonight, but focus will surround stopper Bain, who was at fault for two goals.
Barlow’s shot from inside the box, which looked like a simple effort for Bain to deal with, ended up in the back of the net to draw Sligo level in the first half.
The third-choice Celtic ‘keeper fumbled the ball in, much to the delight of the home fans:
Scott Bain hahahahahaha
— Barry McCann (@Bazzinho9) October 9, 2024
Soon after they drew themselves level, Sligo took the lead. Power’s strike from a distance beat Bain at his near post:
Is Scott Bain actually serious
— Barry McCann (@Bazzinho9) October 9, 2024
If the 32-year-old’s position as a fringe player wasn’t already coherent, his performance this evening only reinstated it.
Granted, Bain hasn’t played much football recently, but he should have been doing much better with the two goals he conceded tonight.
Rodgers forced to dig very deep for Sligo squad
Brendan Rodgers will need to dig very deep into the payroll for tonight’s match against Sligo Rovers.
Callum McGregor, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn, Luis Palma and Luke McCowan are available for the friendly match but beyond that there won’t be many familiar faces.
Goalkeepers Kasper Schemeichel and Viljami Sinisalo are both away with their countries, Tony Ralston and James Forrest are with Scotland, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda with Japan with Liam Scales and Adam Idah in the Irish squad.
Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki and Odin Thiago Holm can step up with the B team the next port of call even if they are smarting from losing three goals in the last 10 minutes of Saturday’s match at Bo’ness United.
Three players from the B squad- Mitchell Frame, Josh Dede and Colby Donovan are in the Scotland u-19 squad for friendlies away to Hungary today and on Sunday.
Rodgers will lead the Celtic squad which flies out this morning to face Sligo who are sitting in sixth place in the LOI table, seven points behind leaders Shelbourne but with a game in hand, Sligo drew 0-0 away to Shelbourne in their last match, on September 27.
? Team news! ??
Here is how the young Hoops line-up to face Bo’ness United this afternoon ???#BONCEL | #CelticFC? pic.twitter.com/TarzoikrYU
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) October 5, 2024
Celtic could blow Rangers out of the water after ‘huge’ reveal – Stefan Borson
Celtic could start to outspend Rangers by a “huge” amount if they can consistently secure their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider a place in the knockout rounds could be worth up to £100million to the Scottish champions.
Celtic lost 7-1 against Borussia Dortmund in their second group stage game on the back of their 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in their opening fixture.
The Glasgow giants still have to make the trips to Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa in the competition, while they will face RB Leipzig, Club Brugge and Young Boys at home.
But they are already likely to make significantly more than Rangers from their European exploits due to the difference in prize money on offer in the Champions League compared to the Europa League.
Celtic will increase financial gap to Rangers with European success
Borson insisted Celtic will continue to increase the financial gap between the two Old Firm sides if they can qualify for the knockout rounds of the competition.
He told Football Insider: “Their focus will be ‘Can we win our home games, become a regular in the second phase of the Champions League, start to get £100million per annum and, if we can, then we can start to spend more money on the wage bill’.
“Their key focus then can continually be Champions League, and Rangers will find it very hard to keep up if they manage to do that.
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“That’s the other side to the equation of course.
“If they are outspending Rangers by a huge amount because they have got Champions League, that clearly will give Rangers a problem.
“That won’t be Celtic’s concern, but it will be Scottish football’s concern.”
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