Celtic enjoyed a 2-1 win over Steaua Bucharest in Marbella as the SPL champions prepared for the resumption of domestic duties at the weekend.
After trailing to an early goal from Stefan Nikoli the hoops hit back after the break with goals from Georgios Samaras and forgotten man Mo Bangura to the delight of the vocal Celtic support inside the San Pedro stadium.
As an added bonus Joe Ledley made his first appearances in over a month while Anthony Stokes was given the final 20 minutes having been ruled out by an ankle injury since August.
Bangura was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI with Dylan McGeouch and Lucasz Zaluska also back in favour.
Thomas Rogne partnered Kelvin Wilson in central defence with Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre in the full-back slots.
Joe Ledley made his first appearance in over a month as part of a three man midfield alongside Victor Wanyama and McGeouch. Tony Watt started the match on the left of a three man forward line before switching to the right with Gary Hooper partnering Bangura in attack.
Not surprisingly there was a lack of intensity to the match with both sides taking advantage of some warm weather training during breaks in their domestic programmes.
Steaua looked slightly sharper and took the lead in the 13th minute when Stefan Nikoli found space in the penalty box and shot past Zaluska from 15 yards out.
Celtic enjoyed some extended periods of possession without really threatening the Steaua goal with the Romanians almost doubling their advantage ten minutes from the interval with a shot that grazed the cross bar.
Johan Mjallby made four changes at the interval and within 10 minutes Celtic found themselves 2-1 in front.
Scott Brown, Kris Commons and Samaras bolstered the midfield while Charlie Mulgrew came in on the left of a back three pushing Izaguirre into a more advanced role.
Seven minutes into the second half Izaguirre sent a cross from the left flashing across goal, Commons returned the ball into the danger area with Samaras levelling the scores from close range.
Two minutes later Celtic took the lead with Bangura’s first goal at any level for the club. Commons cross from the left was met perfectly by the striker running away from goal who steered his effort in low at the keeper’s left hand post.
CELTIC: Zaluska: Matthews (Mulgrew 45), Rogne, Wilson, Izaguirre (Stokes 68): McGeouch , Wanyama (Lassad 68), Ledley (Brown 46), Bangura, Hooper (Commons 46), Watt (Samaras 46)
I thought Bangura looked decent with some nice touches and good possession, took his goal well and deservedly so as he put in a fair shift! McGeouch was tremendous apart from a few slack, passes he did well! hh!
Another European away win 🙂
Good second half,would like to see Bangura get some game time, the bold Henrik recommended him so let’s see it Mohammad. HAIL HAIL
Thats 6 away games on the trot big Sammi has scored in!! Astonishing!!
Keep up the good work big man but save some for Turin!!
Bangura certainly put in a full shift despite the low key approach to the game. A few positives to take from the game, thought Stokes looked reasonably sharp considering how long he has been out while Lassad & Zaluska both looked iffy at best. Rogne is good in the air, but pulled out of position too easily…maybe with an experienced old campaigner alongside him but I feel he will be allowed to move on.
cant see Rogne getting moved on but agree that he needs someone to organise him tactically but generally a very good spl squad player! although, if Gershon can show up well over the next few months then maybe Rogne will move on as he falls from grace, along with a few other fringe players albeit..