Rodgers hails ‘outstanding’ display after Celtic’s friendly win over Sporting

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed his side’s “outstanding” performance after they rounded off their training camp in Portugal with a 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon.

Second-half goals from Reo Hatate and substitute Luke McCowan earned Celtic victory at the Estadio Algarve near Faro.

Rodgers’ side delivered a polished display and controlled possession for long spells against the Portuguese champions.

Rodgers told Celtic TV: “Performance wise it was outstanding. We made another step in our fitness and tactical idea with some of the players coming in.

“Overall it was a very, very good performance against a very good team. Tactically we were excellent with our pressure and pressing and some of our football was outstanding.

“We maybe lacked a little bit in the final third at times just to finish off some great moves but other than that it was a very, very good workout for us.”

Celtic lined up with Dane Murray in central defence and summer signing Benjamin Nygren in midfield and created the better first-half chances, although goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pulled off one save at full stretch.

Adam Idah failed to get enough power on two efforts from good opportunities and Daizen Maeda forced a good stop with a powerful volley.

Half-time substitute Johnny Kenny earned Celtic a 47th-minute penalty when he beat a defender to James Forrest’s cross after a slick and purposeful passing move. Hatate converted as the spot-kick went in off the goalkeeper.

Kenny was also involved in the second goal in the 72nd minute with his run and throughball setting up McCowan, who showed good feet before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.