DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 16: Dundee's Marcel Lewis and Celtic Select's Sean McArdle in action during Cammy Kerr's Testimonial match between Dundee and Celtic Select at the Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park, on November 16, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Sean McArdle and Sam Isiguzo made the most of their half hour in front of Brendan Rodgers against Sligo Rovers last night.
Both players came off the bench to provide late assists for Luis Palma with trademark Celtic moves.
The visitors dominated the first half but were 2-1 down at the interval, after the break Celtic had all the pressure but the final ball left a lot to be desired as Sligo defenders blocked everything fired into the penalty box.
Providing the equaliser McArdle created space on the right of the penalty box to cross towards the back post for the onrushing Palma to drive into the net, in the 92nd minute Isiguzo opted for a low drive behind the Sligo defence with Palma scoring again in a similar fashion.
2?? late assists from a duo of academy bhoys helped Celtic beat Sligo!
17 y/o Sean McArdle’s teasing delivery found Luis Palma at the back post.
Samuel Isiguzo – also just 17 – then flashed a dangerous ball in to the box for Palma to score from.
— Celtic Youth & Loan Updates (@CelticYLUpdates) October 9, 2024
After the match Rodgers highlighted one of his favoured themes, physicality with the Celtic boss telling the club’s TV station:
I think it’s physicality, and a lot of them need to improve on that aspect. They need to have more running power and get into contention more. They have talent with the ball, but it’s nowhere near enough. That physicality will allow them to play at a higher tempo, but it’s nice for them to feel that and play out there in front of a crowd and play with that personality that you need to play for Celtic. Some of them did really well.
At 17 McArdle has a bit to go develop the physical qualities needed to compete at first team level but showed lots of imagination with a range of passes highlighted by his assist for Palma’s 88th minute equaliser.
Last season he was involved in the Cammy Kerr Testimonial against Dundee and scored in the UEFA Youth League draw with Lazio. This season he has played five matches in the Lowland League plus both UEFA Youth League matches against Slovan Bratislava and Borussia Dortmund.
Much less is known about Isiguzo who doesn’t even have a profile on the Celtic website.
Last night the Eastwood based club St Cadoc’s tweeted their congratulations for the striker getting an assist in his first top team involvement. At the age of 17 he has played in both UEFA Youth League matches this season.
Whilst our 3 U18 teams were training tonight one of our former players Samuel Isiguzo was making his 1st team debut for @CelticFC in a friendly v Sligo.
Not only did Samuel get on the pitch he assisted the winning goal!!!
Unbelievable Samuel ??????? pic.twitter.com/5gqSVloIw8— St Cadocs Under 18s (@StCadoc2007) October 9, 2024
I content myself with knowing I can spot a natural very quickly…and McArdle fits the profile…I was very impressed with him….Hope he goes on to have a successful Celtic career.