​1st March 2026; Ibrox Scottish Premiership the Rangers versus Celtic; Chris McKay and Michael Nicholson of Celtic arrive ahead of the game. Vagelis GeorgariouAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYesterday evening Celtic suffered a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Algarve in our second pre-season game, and despite serious concerns in some quarters, it’s not in my view, something we should be overly worried about.Of course there were negatives, as is always the case with any defeat, but there was also a positive in that new signing Camilo Duran scored on his debut, and looked sharp in his short time on the field in the baking Portuguese sunshine. That would be my main take from this preseason friendly and nothing else really.Rafael Nel of Sporting CP (L) tries to pass trough Maik Nawrocki of Celtic FC (R) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues Getty Images)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYes, Sporting CP went on something of a goal spree late in the game, and made the match very much look like the proverbial doing, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the entire story.Martin O’Neill started with just about the strongest side he had at his disposal, with the likes of Viljami Sinisalo, Cameron Carter Vickers, Liam Scales, Callum McGregor, and James Forrest getting some game time.The bulk of that starting XI made way before the hour mark, being replaced by youngsters who were only there to make up the numbers due to the amount of absentees in the squad.Geny Catamo of Sporting CP celebrates scoring Sporting CP first goal during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPeople complain, with good reason, about the lack of pathway for Celtic Academy players at the club. They can’t then moan when these players are given a chance to play for the first team against a highly rated opponent.The likes of Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti, Daizen Maeda, and Yang, players who where regulars in our side last campaign, were of course missing due to participation in the World Cup with their respective nations.Naturally, Sporting CP, who were Champions League quarter finalists last year, took advantage and showed their true class against an inexperienced Celtic side in the closing stages of the match.Colby Donovan of Celtic FC (L) vies with Flavio Goncalves of Sporting CP (R) for the ball possession during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis has unsurprisingly been headlined as a ‘thumping’ for Celtic, with the Scottish mainstream media, and some of our own more overcritical supporters making more out of the issue