JOHN Collins believes that Celtic’s final pre-season encounter with Tottenham Hotspur was a worthwhile experience for all involved – despite the result.
The Bhoys were defeated 6-1 by the London side in the Hoops’ final pre-season tie, held at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.
It was a homecoming for Finnish striker Teemu Pukkil, who captained a side that featured a mix of youth and experience, with Efe Ambrose lining up alongside a host of young Celtic players.
Reflecting on the defeat, Collins insists that the game will help with the long-term development of the young Hoops.
Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: “We had many 18-year-olds or under 18 players that have gone on a path that’s exposed them to a Premier League select side that has quality throughout.
“They had strength, power and technique. There’s a new manager in the other dugout and they were desperate to impress him before the new season.
“It wasn’t much fun for the boys losing to such a heavy defeat but I think it should drive them on, make them work on the training pitch, where they will work to improve every aspect of their game to get to that standard.
“It’s massive jump from playing Scottish youth football to playing an English Premier League team.
“There were patches of play in the first half where we passed it and controlled it, but as the game went on we tired, while they brought out a whole new team at half time, full of experience.
“But what I like is that the kids never gave up. They kept giving it everything and chasing it but it’s not easy when you are so many goals behind.
“But it’s a valuable lesson and that’s the standard they want to get to, so you come away thinking about what you can learn – it’s about their first touch, their speed of play and movement.”
