Celtic FC Prepares for Friendly Against Sligo Rovers Amidst International Break

Celtic FC is set to face Sligo Rovers in a mid-season friendly match, offering an opportunity for fringe players and youth prospects during the international break. The game will take place at The Showgrounds in Sligo, Ireland, and is a part of Brendan Rodgers‘ strategic plan to give game time to squad members who need it.

The friendly is scheduled for today, Wednesday, October 9, with kickoff at 7:30 pm. Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, confirmed the use of a rotated squad, emphasizing on younger players. “I’ll be taking the team,” Rodgers stated. “That plan was in place a few months back. It’s going to be a mixture of our first-team players in the squad and also some of our young players, because it’s my chance to see them.”

Sligo Rovers, currently holding the sixth position in the League of Ireland Premier Division, view this match as vital preparation for their remaining league fixtures. Despite being seven points behind league leaders Shelbourne, they maintain aspiration within reach, with a game in hand.

Due to international duties and injuries, several Celtic players will not participate. Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers are expected to miss the fixture, while Greg Taylor could also be unavailable due to an earlier injury. Rodgers remarked, “Ali won’t go with the international team, so that gives us a chance to recover him… Cam will be joining training later on in this week and then have a good week leading into Aberdeen. Greg, we will just have to wait and see.”

The match will not be televised, but a live stream is available for fans to purchase, with a pass costing €10. This fixture marks the first time Celtic has played an Irish side since their 2018 encounter against Shamrock Rovers, where the Glasgow club secured a 7-0 victory.