Celtic Instant Analysis as Luis Palma scores three in Sligo

While many of Brendan Rodgers' first-team players were away on international duty, this exhibition match was an opportunity for the manager to take a look at some of his fringe players, as well as evaluate the youngsters in the Celtic B team and below.

Celtic took the lead just before the 10-minute mark, as Luke McCowan fed the ball through to Yang Hyun-jun out wide, who squared it to Luis Palma - who made no mistake. Sligo would equalise just a few minutes later, however, as Kailin Barlow's tame shot was thrown into the back of the net by Bain - a howler from the third-choice keeper. They would take the lead through Simon Power, whose shot from distance went under Bain and into the back of the net. 

After a drab second half, Celtic would get a late equaliser through Palma, before the Honduran scored in injury time to secure the team the unlikely win - it did not look like it was coming.

Bain started in goals, supported in defence by Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki, Lenny Agbaire, and Alex Valle. Luke McCowan was in midfield alongside Francis Turley and Jude Bonnar, while Yang Hyun-jun, Lewis Dobbie and Palma operated in the forward areas.

The Celtic Way's Ryan McGinlay brings you his Instant Analysis from tonight's game in Ireland...

Bain's painful performance

It was a trip to forget for Celtic’s third-choice keeper Bain, who made not one but two mistakes in the first half that gave the home side an unlikely lead. His first one was inexplicable, as a tame shot from Barlow was literally thrown into the back of the net by Bain in the Celtic goal – a comical piece of goalkeeping that the former Scotland international will not want to see again anytime soon. His second mistake was a tad unfortunate, as Power’s long-range shot went under Bain, who was anticipating a bounce. Even still, for an experienced pro like the former Dundee and Hibernian goalkeeper, these mistakes are very poor. However, you must caveat this game with the fact that it is only a friendly and that the likelihood of Bain actually turning out for Celtic is extremely unlikely thanks to both Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo respectively. He seems like a player and individual who is happy with his lot at Celtic, being an experienced presence and cog in the background of the club. However, nights like tonight at The Showground are proof that Bain is not up to the required standard to start at the club – especially in 2024.

A mixed but bright night for Palma

Not called up to Honduras’ national team – not entirely surprising, given his current form – Palma started this match for Celtic as one of the experienced pros, alongside Bain, Welsh, Valle, Nawrocki, McCowan and Yang. He would start this game well, being in the right place at the right time to tap the ball into the back of the net from Yang’s cross, after good work from McCowan to feed the ball to the South Korean winger. However, much like performances of late from Palma, he flattered to deceive. His crossing was mixed at best, with the winger looking laboured as he took on his opposite marker on the left wing. The low point of the half for Celtic’s number seven was when he tried to con the referee by going down in the box – not the best look in a mid-season friendly versus Sligo Rovers. He endeavoured following the restart, going close with a free-kick early on, though his deliveries remained sketchy for the duration. Despite this, he would turn into the hero on the night for Celtic, as he would score another two goals in the final few minutes to win the game for his club. A wild night for the winger, who showed his quality right at the end to take the game away from Sligo. 

Fringe players fail to impress

Tonight was a golden extra opportunity for some of the fringe players to impress their manager, who took the team despite being on an international break. While McCowan had a couple of nice touches, Palma got on the scoresheet three times and Yang got an assist, it was a disappointing night for those experienced players in Sligo. Nawrocki looked shaky at the back, while Valle nearly got caught out on the break, before composing himself to intercept when the Sligo Rovers attacker was through on goal. Welsh took the captain’s armband for this one – his first start with this honour – though his failure to break into the first-team squad on a regular basis looks like it will continue when the season resumes. Apart from Valle and perhaps McCowan, none of these players can consider themselves starters presently, though games like tonight must be viewed as golden opportunities to impress Rodgers. At least for Palma, he justified his selection by bagging a hat-trick on the night.

Celtic's youth don't take their chance

This game also presented an opportunity for Celtic’s younger contingent to catch the eye of Rodgers and his staff, though this did not necessarily transpire on the night. Agbaire, Turley, Bonnar and Dobbie started this game, while the likes of Robertson, Bonetig, McArdle and Isiguzo all came off the bench in the second half. In truth, it was a messy affair with very little quality on display, as this weird amalgamation of senior and youth players failed to gel on the park. Bonnar and Turley in particular were careless in possession, allowing the ball to be turned over on a multitude of occasions, while Agbaire failed to impress while playing out of position. Dobbie had no service when leading the line – though the young player was playing out of position as a striker, too, as those who came on after the restart failed to impress on the night. While these games will not make or break the careers of these young players, it was an opportunity missed for those looking to make a positive impact – one that might not come around again in the future, in all honesty.

A great Sligo turnout - despite the drab display

Regardless of the team that Celtic put out or the friendly format of the match played, it was extremely positive to see The Showground at full capacity for this game in the Republic of Ireland. Before the match, Rodgers spoke about the importance of these games for the next generation of supporters, who got to see Celtic live and in the flesh for perhaps the first time. Though many of the visitor’s first-team stars were either away on international duty or resting up, those in attendance would have been delighted to see a Celtic team in any capacity, as well as get a potential glimpse at some of the stars of the future. The club have historical roots with Sligo thanks to the founder Brother Walfrid, as well as former player and assistant manager Sean Fallon both hailing from the area, so the trip had significant sentimental value to both sides. Any excuse for Celtic to make the trip west to Ireland will be seen as being beneficial both for exposure and financial reasons – it is just a shame that those in attendance did not see the team at their free-flowing best at The Showground on the pitch.