Man City vs Celtic: US tour result ‘wasn’t easy’, says Guardiola

Manchester City head Pep Guardiola said nan inexperience of his broadside had been a “difficult” facet successful their thrilling 4-3 conclusion to Celtic successful North Carolina successful nan opening lucifer of their US tour.

Captained by Erling Haaland, nan reigning Premier League champions fell 3-1 down astatine nan interval successful their first pre-season friendly, Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn scoring doubly for nan Scottish Premiership holders.

Maximo Perrone’s 46th-minute extremity and a Haaland header 11 minutes later drew City level, only for Luis Palma to people nan 68th-minute victor for nan Hoops.

Man City vs Celtic: Haaland goal

“We created chances but they are truthful bully pinch nan gait and value they have,” said Guardiola, adding that he had seen “many bully things” from a squad besides containing erstwhile England world Kalvin Phillips successful midfield, accompanied by Jack Grealish down Haaland.

“You person to unrecorded these situations successful pre-season and we’ll spell from here. It wasn’t easy; we have… 8 aliases 9 who are truthful young.

“It’s difficult successful 1 section erstwhile truthful galore are young but I saw galore bully things from nan caller and aged players.”

City US tour: Lewis ‘exceptional’

Guardiola said 19-year-old defender Rico Lewis and 21-year-old winger Oscar Bobb, who drew City level for 3 minutes during nan first half, had played astatine a “high level”.

The brace were nan only players to beryllium fixed 90 minutes connected a nighttime erstwhile nan Cityzens utilized 14 academy graduates.

“Rico is exceptional and tin play successful nan pocket,” observed Guardiola. “Maybe it’s his earthy position but we didn’t person players successful nan backmost four.

“He’s truthful dynamic, his first power and imagination is really good. I was very pleased pinch his performance. Sometimes [Bobb’s] a spot awkward but erstwhile he plays without fearfulness he has unthinkable potential.”

Man City fixtures

The circuit continues against Milan successful New York connected Saturday (11pm BST), Barcelona successful Orlando connected July 31 (midnight BST) and Chelsea successful Ohio connected August 3 (10.30pm BST).

“They were reliable opponents,” Guardiola said of Celtic. “AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea person apical players.

“It’s steps, and it’s bully to spot really nan indebtedness players travel backmost and behave, and besides nan hit [building] for nan elder ones.”

City commencement their play against United successful nan Community Shield connected August 10 and recreation to Chelsea 8 days later for their Premier League opener.