Brendan Rodgers gave his ‘second string’ a 90 minute outing against BW Linz this morning and was rewarded with a 2-1 victory over the Austrian side.
Mikey Johnston took the opportunity to show the Celtic boss that he is ready for a first team run by scoring the opening goal and creating the second for Scott Sinclair.
Leigh Griffiths and Sinclair were the biggest names in the starting XI as the Celtic squad cranked up their preparations for the Champions League qualifier against Alashkert a week today.
?? Goalscorer @mikeyjohnston10 speaks to @gerrymcculloch1 after this morning’s victory.
???? Only 3 hours until we kick-off again. Watch #CelticFC v. Sparta Prague live on @CelticTV! Kick-off: 4:30pm CPT. Subscribe here ?? https://t.co/hiI9BAztU9 pic.twitter.com/AWz5zqS3Px
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 3, 2018
Johnston on the right was the main threat to the BW Linz defence with the teenager setting up early chances for Ryan Christie and Scott Allan.
Just past the hour mark it was Johnston that opened the scoring, finishing with a low drive from 15 yards out after being played in by Allan.
Midway through the second half Johnston resumed his role of creator when he came in from the right to lay the ball off to Sinclair who doubled Celtic’s lead.
Eight minutes from the end the homed. side pulled a goal back
At 4.30pm Celtic Park Time the hoops complete their Austrian trip with a match against Sparta Prague.
CELTIC: Bain; Ralston, Welsh, Compper, Miller; Kouassi, Allan; Johnston,Christie, Sinclair; Griffiths SUBS: Doohan, R Hendry, Henderson, McInroy
