A Celtic XI lost 3-0 to La Liga outfit Levante this morning.
The match culminated an extensive training period for the Celtic squad which was largely made up from last season’s u-17 side which lifted the Glasgow Cup at Hampden.
In contrast Levante had a number of La Liga regulars in their side with experience of playing Barcelona and Real Madrid on a regular basis. Last season Levante completed La Liga in fourteenth place.
Min 30 Sigue venciendo el @LevanteUD en el primer partido de preparación en Buñol (1-0). #LUDlivd pic.twitter.com/azwFodA0M7
— Levante UD (@LevanteUD) July 11, 2015
According to the Levante twitter account Bunol opened the scoring on the half hour with further goals coming from substitute Ruben Garcia just past the hour mark and Rafael Martins with eight minutes left to play.
Valencia based Celtic fan Toni Ponce tweeted that the young Celtic side acquitted themselves well but found the going tough as the game wore on.
After beating Real Gardia 5-0 in midweek playing against much stronger opposition will have provided invaluable for the Celtic side as well as coach Stevie Frail.
The build up to the new season continues on Monday night against Morton at Cappielow although that match is likely to feature players such as Luke Donnelly, Jamie Lindsay, Joe Thomson, Eoghan O’Connell and others who have been working with the first team in pre-season.
It’s likely that some of those players will be going out on loan when the season starts with Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock), Paul McMullan (St Mirren), Conor McManus (Alloa), Michael Duffy (Alloa) and Calum Waters (Dumbarton) already out on loan.
After the match at Cappielow on Monday Celtic travel to Turriff United (July 18), Raith Rovers (July 21) and East Kilbride (July 25).
LEVANTE: Rubén, Navarro, (35, 21), Juanfran, (38, 16), Pedro,
Nikos, José Mari, (27, 6) Víctor Pérez, Xumetra, (29, 11), Morales, (27, 33), Casadesús (30, 26), Roger.
Stats from ESPN. Age and number of La Liga appearances for Levante last season
