Celtic FC vs Manchester City
It’s the champions of England against the champions of Scotland in North Carolina on Wednesday.
Such clashes, even friendlies like this one, used to be mouthwatering, let alone meetings in European competition.
In fact, the unofficial Battle of Britain used to attract massive attention.
I can still remember a clash between the reigning champions north and south of the border, Everton and Rangers, in 1987/1988 – a time when English clubs were banned from Europe – which provided excitement.
There was a Battle of Britain battle in 1992, the inaugural season of the Champions League, which saw Leeds and Rangers involved in two ding-dong ties, while meetings in Europe between Manchester United and the two Glasgow giants were among other stand-outs.
To be honest though, this 2024 alternative doesn’t do it for me.
That’s because the gap between English and Scottish football has grown exponentially.
Talking Points
On saying that, Scotland’s best have a far better chance of club friendly highlights and defeating England’s best this week than in a competitive meeting.
That possibility increases when you consider Celtic are probably more advanced in their pre-season preparation than Manchester City right now.
For a start, the Scottish season begins a fortnight before the English Premier League kicks into action.
The Glasgow giants are already well into their USA tour and faced former skipper Scott Brown’s Ayr United in a 1-1 draw and Queen’s Park in a 6-4 goal fest as the Bhoys were put through their early pre-season paces.
A dominant 4-0 victory over MLS side DC United followed ahead of these games with Premier League big boys City and Chelsea.
So, what new faces to look out for in the Hoops’ line-up?
Well, they are reportedly moving closer to signing Paulo Bernardo from Benfica but, as it stands, their only main recruits have been goalkeepers.
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo has been snapped up from Aston Villa and, aged 22, is well within the ‘young prospect’ category. He is a full Finland cap and made 50 appearances for third-tier Exeter City last term.
In addition, veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has passed his medical and signed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
Still one of the best goalkeepers around, he was linked with the Hoops a year ago when he left Ligue 1 outfit Nice, but decided on a short-term move to Belgian club Anderlecht.
As for City, well they have brought in highly touted Brazilian winger Savio from Girona, a club he helped to finish an historic third in La Liga last term.
Their pedigree is not in question, of course, even if 2024-25 will be the campaign in which off field distractions will be stronger than ever.
That is because of THAT case with more than 100 charges against them for alleged financial wrongdoing and question marks over how long their influential manager Pep Guardiola will stay in post.
On the playing front the talent is not in question and, even if Kyle Walker and Kevin de Bruyne may be moving towards the end of their peak, they are still classy performers, as illustrated by Walker’s inclusion in the official team of Euro 2024.
Don’t be surprised if another big signing is also on the way for the champs, especially after two fringe players departed in recent days with newly promoted Ipswich Town agreeing a deal worth £20 million for forward Liam Delap and Spanish defender Sergio Gomez joining Real Sociedad on a permanent deal.
The 23-year-old had been at the Etihad Stadium for two seasons, during which he made 38 first-team appearances without establishing himself as a regular in the side.
The deal could be worth up to £8.4million and also includes a sell-on clause of 30 per cent of any future fee.
Celtic and City operate on two very different levels these days, but this should be a much closer encounter given Celtic are further ahead in their pre-season preparations.
History
Competitively these sides have only met twice.
They were also both draws in the group stages of the 2016/17 Champions League – Guardiola’s first campaign in charge at the club.
Their inaugural meeting was a cracker as the sides played out a six-goal thriller at a raucous Parkhead.
On that occasion, Celtic led three times only to be pegged back quickly.
A Moussa Dembele header, Raheem Sterling own goal and Dembele strike were cancelled out by Fernandinho, Sterling at the right end and Nolito in a pulsating encounter.
That was followed by a 1-1 draw at the Etihad when Patrick Roberts and Kelechi Iheanacho traded goals in the first eight minutes and that was how it stayed.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
