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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the efforts of his players against Manchester City.

The Bhoys came out victorious with a 4-3 scoreline in an entertaining game thanks to goals from Nicolas Kuhn, Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma.

It was a typical pre-season affair with lots of substitutions and more than a dash of youth in the English side but Celtic approached the match with intensity and intent – which is what was so pleasing for the manager.

Rodgers has been challenging his team to show more defensive nous and use that as a catalyst for attacking football and that’s exactly what we witnessed against City. Even Pep Guardiola was impressed.

Speaking after the game, the manager made it clear he’s seeing improvement in his team throughout the summer.

Brendan Rodgers on Celtic vs Man City

Rodgers said : “I think whenever you play Pep’s teams they’re so complex in how they play. Physically it was a step up for us but also tactically because you’ve got to be so concentrated and press in the right moments because you can’t always press or else you end up running more.

“I thought the players dealt with that so well. Some of the football we played was excellent. The goals again were attacking and showed how much we want to attack.

“I think it’s a big testament to the players, how hard they’re training and working. We’re pushing to be defensively strong and you’ve got to be aggressive.

“What I’ve been really impressed with in the games is that we’re making the last step much better. The guys are starting to get in and make the last step, win the ball and disrupt to bring a bit of chaos to the game.”

Nicolas Kuhn steals the show

The German winger was almost unplayable in the opening 45 minutes. He was finding so much space on Celtic’s right flank and his quality in possession was undeniable.

The attacker showed excellent direct decision-making and lethal finishing, as well as a beautiful touch to feed in Kyogo for his goal.

Rodgers said: “In the first year he was adapting but he’s come back looking really sharp. The moves for the goals were outstanding. The play through City’s press and pressure, we built it up really well.

“His pass for the third goal was just magical really. We wanted to let him play a bit longer but he just felt a bit in his knee. He was very good.”

Positive signs for Celtic all around then. Nobody will be reading too much into the result but things are moving in the right direction on the pitch.

If Rodgers can get the additions he wants from the transfer market then the Scottish champions are in very good shape for the season ahead.

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