4 things we learned from Man City's thrilling pre-season loss to Celtic

Manchester City got their pre-season campaign underway in the early hours of Wednesday morning as they suffered a shock 4-3 defeat to Scottish champions Celtic.

Without a number of international stars due to their commitments at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, the reigning Premier League title holders treated fans to an entertaining affair with Brendan Rodgers' outfit at Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina.

While the likes of Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish were in action, it wasn't enough to prevent Pep Guardiola's side from slipping to a loss in their first summer outing.

Here are four things we learned from the pre-season spectacle.

Erling Haaland takes the captain's armband

There were few experienced heads in City's starting lineup in North Carolina. Haaland led the line in attack while prominent first-team members Grealish, Stefan Ortega, Oscar Bobb, Kalvin Phillips and Rico Lewis were also included.

Perhaps with a lack of clear alternatives, Norwegian striker Haaland took the captain's armband and was in the thick of the action, dueling Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel throughout the contest.

Haaland eventually got on the scoresheet in the 57th minute, being withdrawn a little over ten minutes later.

Kalvin Phillips gets minutes to impress potential suitors

It's been a tough couple of years for Kalvin Phillips since he switched Leeds United for Man City. His manager has publicly declared he isn't keen on the midfielder, who couldn't turn things around during a brief loan at West Ham United in the second half of last season.

With the likes of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones and Matheus Nunes not yet available after their international excursions earlier in the summer, Phillips started alongside 19-year-old Nico O'Reilly in central midfield.

The England international completed 22 of his 26 passes and anticipated a couple of interceptions but made no tackles and was substituted at half-time. His future lies away from the Etihad Stadium, but which club will pick him up remains to be seen.

Oscar Bobb takes his chance

Bobb has already showed City fans glimpses of his undeniable talent, with one coming when he immaculately controlled De Bruyne's pass and tucked in a late winner against Newcastle United back in January.

He'll have to bide his time before getting regular competitive starts, but the 21-year-old showed he is ready for the step up with a starring role in the defeat to Celtic.

The Norway international equalised at 1-1 with a strike Schmeichel couldn't keep out and provided a brilliant assist consisting of sharp dribbling up the wing and a precise pass to Maximo Perrone. He then delivered the cross which Haaland nodded in at the back post to make it 3-3.

Youngsters strength in depth impressive with Euro 2024 stars absent

The international schedule means a number of City players are yet to link up with the squad ahead of the new season.

Defenders Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji were among those missing on Wednesday, meaning starts were handed to Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Luke Mbete-Tabu and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. Midfielder Perrone - one of a number of City youngsters to look out for over the summer - also bagged a goal following his introduction in the second half.

O'Reilly and Simpson-Pusey enjoyed their senior debuts and will hope for more minutes in City's next pre-season outing which comes against AC Milan on Saturday night.

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