Celtic were last week reported to have an interest in Slovakian striker Ladislav Almasi, as manager Ange Postecoglou looks to add some reinforcements up top.
And the interesting thing about the report was that Celtic were due to take on his club Banik Ostrava, in a friendly match to cap off our summer training camp, and to celebrate Banik’s 100 year anniversary.
Well, that match took place tonight, with Celtic spoiling the home team’s party with a 4-2 victory in another six goal thriller after the 3-3 draw with Rapid Vienna on Saturday.
So tonight was a chance for Celtic supporters and Ange Postecoglou to see Almasi in the flesh, however, the Slovakian striker only played the first half, which was a bit disappointing.
Like I said in my previous article tonight, I wasn’t able to watch the first half as closely I would have liked to, but from what I did see, it didn’t impress me that much.
I did notice he was pressing and tracking back, which of course Ange wants his strikers to do, with Kyogo being one of the best in that department in world football, and he would have been happy to see that, if indeed he is a genuine transfer target for us.
Almasi had one great chance that he should have scored though, their right winger got down the line and whipped a beautiful ball into the box, with Almasi doing brilliantly to get in front of his man, I believe it was CCV, but he powered his header straight at Joe Hart, leading the striker to put his hands on his head, not believing he didn’t find the back of the net with his effort.
Apart from that we didn’t really see too much of him.
If he is indeed a genuine target for Ange, he won’t base his decision on whether to sign him or not based on the game tonight. Everyone can have an off game or miss a chance or whatever, but it definitely would have helped his case and left a stronger impression with the manager if he buried the chance he had.
What I will say is though, he didn’t look the reported 6 ft 5 to me! At one point he was standing beside Matt O’Riley and he appeared to be the same height as him, 6 ft 2 according to Wikipedia, which is still very tall of course, but not the giant he is made out to be on how own Wikipedia page.
Personally, I would like to see more of Johnny Kenny soon, hopefully in the next friendly against Blackburn or in Boruc’s testimonial against Legia. He looked very sharp in our first pre-season friendly, and if he continues to shine when given the chance, there may be no need to look for a third choice striker in the transfer market.
