Celtic show fighting spirit - report

Shamrock Rovers 1 Celtic 1

Celtic’s ability to grind out results did not desert them at Tolka Park as a late goal earned them a draw against Shamrock Rovers.

The Dublin side stunned the Scottish champions by surging into the lead through Mark Kenny shortly after the half-time break.

But - like they did so often last season - Celtic fought back to ensure they would not be the losing side when Steve Guppy’s shot deflected off Bobo Balde into the back of the net.

Celtic supporters were given the chance to see Martin O’Neill’s men take the field for the first time in their new yellow and green away kit as the Parkhead side kicked off their second pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers.

It was the Irish side who sported the green and white hoops, almost identical to those usually worn by Celtic, and indeed it was Rovers who enjoyed the best of the chances in the opening stages of this game.

Celtic had already claimed a convincing 4-1 win against Irish champions Shelbourne the day before but it was clear from the outset Shamrock Rovers would prove to be tougher opposition.

They enjoyed the first chance of the game after just six minutes when Noel Hunt slid the ball just wide of the post.

And Celtic’s best chance early on came only when Chris Sutton was hauled down on the edge of the 18-yard box by Stephen McGuinness. Paul Lambert played a short free-kick to Stilian Petrov but his shot was blocked by the Rovers wall.

The Irish side were unlucky not to open the scoring after 34 minutes when Tony Grant’s effort looked destined for the back of the net.

But he was denied his moment of glory by towering defender Balde, who somehow managed to make a dramatic clearance off the line to save Celtic’s blushes in a disappointing first half.

O’Neill opted to make a seven changes during the interval.

But, as with the opening 45 minutes, Shamrock Rovers looked by far the hungrier side and they stunned Celtic by storming into the lead seven minutes after the re-start.

Mark Kenny stepped up for a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box and he left goalkeeper Robert Douglas helpless by curling the ball into the top corner of the net.

It was 16 minutes later before Celtic even looked like having a chance of cancelling out that goal when John Hartson played the ball to Simon Lynch in the box but the youngster’s left-footed shot flew just over the crossbar and Shamrock held on.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Celtic had another chance to level the scoreline when Alan Thompson’s corner was met by Shaun Maloney at the near post but the young striker could do no more than nod past the upright.

It was Shamrock Rovers could have added to their tally when Douglas was forced into a superb save to deny a point-blank shot from Shane Robinson just a few minutes later.

But it was Celtic who netted after 83 minutes when Guppy’s shot deflected off Balde into the back of the net to earn a draw.