Celtic slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Sporting CP as Martin O'Neill's need for fresh faces was laid bare. The Hoops were dismantled by the Portuguese heavyweights at the Estadio Algarve in a second-half goal blitz as they rounded off their week-long training camp in Faro.
First-half performance
At this stage of the summer, the result matters little after a week in which the Scottish champions have been put through gruelling double training sessions in the scorching heat. The one positive for fans to cling to was Camilo Duran scoring on his unofficial debut, with the £6million striker even dubbed Daizen Maeda Mk II by his manager.
Here, Record Sport's Ryan McDonald rates all 21 Celtic players who featured.
Goalkeeper and defenders
VILJAMI SINISALO 7 – Finland goalie has been handed the No1 jersey this season. Made a decent early save by denying Ricardo Mangas one-on-one. Was left isolated again as Geny broke free and pulled the trigger inside the box, but somehow dragged his shot wide. Conceded from close range as Silva knocked home from a cut-back. Pulled off another smart stop to deny Silva just after the break when Cameron Carter-Vickers was left in the dust. Kept the scoreline down before the goals rained in for deputy Ross Doohan.
COLBY DONOVAN 4 – Young right-back, 19, had a tough shift up against Portuguese ace Ricardo Mangas. Lacked composure on the ball at times and struggled defensively. Roamed forward into decent attacking positions in the first half but lacked a final ball. Lasted until 84 minutes before eventually being given a breather as Sporting stormed 4-1 in front.
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS 4 – The USA stopper was back at the heart of the defence but looked extremely rusty. He was caught out big time as Gabriel Silva raced past him and pulled back for Geny to break the deadlock. CCV has been such a commanding presence for the Hoops but after a horrific period out with an Achilles injury, O'Neill will hope his first-choice stopper hasn't lost a yard of pace.
DANE MURRAY 4 – Giant Murray looks set to remain fourth-choice centre-back this season. At 23, the academy graduate is no youngster, but his towering figure gives Celts some much-needed height. Looked a bit all over the shop at times with Scales on the left-hand side. Calamity at Sporting's second goal as Doohan's shocking clearance rebounded off him and into the path of Daniel Branganca who restored the hosts' lead. Took a sore one in the nuts before Sporting added a third and fourth. Only one to play the entire 90 minutes.
LIAM SCALES 4 – Seeing the Irishman at left-back will give Celtic fans flashbacks to Wilfried Nancy's disastrous reign. With Kieran Tierney absent, Scales was shifted out of his natural centre-back position and was given a torrid time by lightning-quick Mozambican winger Geny. The lack of strength and depth just underlines the need for Celts to wrap up a deal for Marcelo Saracchi - as the only other senior option is Adam Montgomery.
Midfield
CALLUM McGREGOR 5 – Skipper has been at the centre of intense transfer speculation but continues to lead the champions out for now. McGregor anchored the middle of the park for the first hour but looked a bit leggy at times. Whether he stays or leaves, at 33-years-old, surely Celtic will have some sort of succession plan in place? Kept things ticking before his number went up as O'Neill made a flurry of changes.
PAULO BERNARDO 4 – Portuguese fringe man partnered McGregor in the engine room. Bernardo has a big opportunity this summer with the likes of Reo Hatate and Arne Engels expected to move on. But he hasn't really grasped his chance so far and was really careless with possession at times. He did have a shot cleared off the line after a scrappy corner but was hooked at half-time. His days look numbered.
MICHEL-ANGE BALIKWISHA 3 – The £5m misfit started just once under O'Neill last season but has now been given the nod in back-to-back friendlies. He's been deployed in his favoured No10 position too, floating just behind lone striker Callum Osmand. But yet again, he flattered to deceive. Looked lost as he struggled to link up play and was far too ineffective. Subbed at the break and appears surplus to requirements.
JAMES FORREST 5 – The veteran winger turned 35 last week but still has a decent burst of pace. Zoomed in behind the Sporting backline on a couple of occasions. Pulled a couple of balls back for Callum Osmand and Bernardo. South Korean wide man Yang has still to return from his World Cup break but you wouldn't be surprised to see Forrest start flag day in three weeks' time unless more reinforcements are added.
Forwards
CALLUM OSMAND 5 – The kid who etched his name in folklore by netting the title-clinching goal against Hearts started as the lone striker. Hotshot ran his socks off up front but didn't have much service at all. Can't fault his work rate but was far too isolated before being subbed for new Bhoy Camilo Duran.
LUKE McCOWAN 4 – Ex-Dundee man started on the right-hand flank, where he played earlier in his career with Ayr United. McCowan is probably better suited in the centre of the park, but with a lack of wide options, O'Neill used his versatility to fill a gap. Should've netted an equaliser from close range but dragged his effort wide. Will have a squad role to play this season after signing a new contract.
Substitutes
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN (Balikwisha, 45) 3 – Ex-Liverpool and Arsenal star made his first appearance since re-signing on a one-year deal. Struggled to impose himself, though, and looks well short of match sharpness.
ARNE ENGELS (Bernardo, 45) 3 – Nottingham Forest are believed to be hot on the trail of the £25m-rated man. He's still at Celtic for now and came on for Bernardo at half-time. Handed the captain's armband when McGregor was given a rest. Contributed nothing of note in second-half collapse.
ROSS DOOHAN (Sinisalo, 64) 2 – Shotstopper had a bit of a shocker. Did nothing to settle the nerves with a wayward first pass. Then cost Celtic a second goal as his sloppy clearance rebounded off Dane Murray, allowing Branganca to slot into an empty net. Conceded another after initially saving a close-range header before Mangas reacted quickest to hit Sporting's third. Shipped a fourth to round off a forgettable night.
MAIK NAWROCKI (Carter-Vickers, 64) 3 – The Polish defender is quite the specimen but you'd be surprised to see him somehow shoot up the defensive pecking order. Future looks to be elsewhere.
ADAM MONTGOMERY (Scales, 64) 2 – Forgotten Bhoy turns 24 on Saturday but needs to kickstart his career elsewhere. Came on at left-back but was rinsed as Sporting piled on the agony with a fourth.
LIAM KENNEDY (McGregor, 64) 2 – Talented midfielder, 17, signed his first pro deal with the club last summer and is rated highly by the coaching staff. Has a towering frame but was chasing lost balls as Sporting dominated.
SEAN McARDLE (McCowan, 64) 2 – Promising kid was once again thrown on at right-wing but is naturally a central midfielder. Was hardly involved.
THOMAS HATTON (Forrest, 64) 2 – Versatile winger was the pick of the youngsters last week in Dublin, but was pinned back as Sporting had wave after wave of attack.
CAMILO DURAN (Osmand, 64) 5 – Colombian striker needed just five minutes to announce himself as a Celtic player. Nicked possession off sleepy captain Eduardo Quaresma to power home from close range as he was rewarded for his relentless pressing. That'll do his confidence the world of good.
FRANCIS TURLEY (Donovan, 84) 2 – Handed a late cameo at right-back. At least he helped Celtic close the floodgates for the final minutes after a Sporting goal blitz.
Unused substitutes
MARCUS GILL, MICHAEL CHARLTON, JOSEPH HANEY, REO HATATE, FRANCIS TURLEY, KYLE URE, JUDE BONNAR, RHYS DARGIE, EMMANUEL OBIDIWE.
