Despite suffering defeat in Ireland, Tuesday evening’s match against Sligo Rovers proved to be another productive runout for the Celtic FC B Team.

After falling two goals behind in the first half, the young Hoops managed to pull one back through Jude Bonnar - although it would end in defeat for the Celts.

Ultimately, preparing for the season ahead was the most important factor of the trip and the Bhoys put on a good showing against the League of Ireland Premier Division side.

Reflecting on the 90 minutes, B Team coach Darren O’Dea expressed his delight at what was a positive display from the young Celtic squad.

Although the Irishman was without upwards of ten players from his regular squad, that is only a good sign, with those not on the trip to Sligo currently out with the first-team in Portugal.

He said: “I was absolutely delighted. I said before the game, how young a squad we have got that is trying to learn new things and adapt to a new intensity.

“We asked the players to give themselves to the team, apply themselves and not have any apprehension.

“That was the message and they did exactly that. They played with such courage and freedom. Some of the stuff we played was fantastic.

“We got better as the game went on and that is hopefully going to be a continuation of the whole season, where you will just see us get better each game.

“So ultimately, to field that team and come over and play against a very good and competitive Sligo team.

“We’ve got ten players up with the first-team over in Portugal, which is the best feeling of all. That is our job, to try and give our manager players that he can rely on.

“It’s early in pre-season and sometimes those opportunities come. But you can never begrudge an opportunity.

“So to have ten with them over there right now is testament to the work that has been done and fingers crossed it is the start of a new batch at the start of their journey.”

Before the game, O’Dea was keen to see how his side would match up against Sligo Rovers, as the very youthful squad gears up for the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign.

After watching his side compete with the hosts at the Showgrounds, he was left extremely pleased by the performance put in as a whole.

O’Dea also praised his squad and backroom staff for the hard work that has been put in so far this pre-season.

“I thought this game would be a marker,” he said. “And I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t think we would hit the mark of what we did tonight.

“We have done so much work in terms of movements and things that we have changed because we were so aligned into one way of thinking last year.

“To change can actually be quite difficult. But to change that quickly and be able to take on information.

“There is a real emphasis on Michael Gallacher, our analyst. He has played a massive part in that and worked tirelessly to make sure myself and Stephen (McManus) have the information to give to the players.

“The biggest thing is when you try something new on a pitch when you are exposed, people are sometimes apprehensive to try it.

“The players absolutely weren’t and that is what we ask of them. Because of that, you see improvements.

“From where the game started, I thought we were a better team come the end of 90 minutes.”

Missing a number of more experienced players from your squad would potentially be a detriment for most managers.

However, for O’Dea and McManus, they have both been left happy to see so many of last campaign’s squad join up with the first-team in Portugal.

The B Team coaches believe that seeing so many of those players out there should provide even more motivation for the next batch of youngsters coming through into the side.

O'Dea said: “It’s brilliant for this batch of players to have more players to look up to.

“I think sometimes we maybe lean on saying to these players, you could be the next Callum McGregor or James Forrest.

“When actually, that seems like a lifetime away. They are some of the most decorated players in Celtic’s history.

“So to actually see some of the guys you have trained with last year, which a lot of these players will have at some point, and see that they are getting an opportunity because of the way they conducted themselves.

“The way they eat, the way they sleep, the way they rest. We make sure everything is done right.

“And if you are going to play at this club, it needs to be done right. So they’ll realise this opportunity might not be far away.

“That is what we want. We want hungry players, that are desperate to get better every day and today gave me a lot of encouragement for the rest of the season.”

Darren O’Dea: We were delighted with the performance from a young Celtic squad