Aalen 1 - 2 Celtic: Celtic sign off pre-season tour with victory

Published on 17/07/2012 22:29

THE most potent strike pairing in the SPL last season –

Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper – indicated that they will again be a force to be reckoned with this coming campaign, as they scored the goals that gave Celtic a solid 2-1 win over Aalen last night to wrap up their German tour.

Aalen took the lead after only four minutes in the Sholz Arena, when Benjamin Hubner scrambled the ball over the line from a free-kick, but Celtic made a pleasing recovery and a tap-in from Hooper after 64 minutes drew them level, before Irishman Stokes fired in the winner in the 77th minute.

Victor Wanyama and Mikael Lustig both started in a strong-looking Celtic side, while James Forrest again impressed with a lively performance and played a role in setting up Stokes for his winning goal.

Celtic now move on to play Ajax in the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday, before meeting Norwich City at Celtic Park on Tuesday next week, before the glamour friendly at home to Inter Milan on 28 July – the last outing for Neil Lennon’s side before they open their SPL campaign at home to Aberdeen the following weekend.

Celtic: Forster; Lustig (McGeouch 62), K. Wilson, Wanyama (McCourt 63), Mulgrew; Forrest, Ledley, Kayal (Brown 46), Commons (Bangura 65); Stokes, Hooper (Murphy 73) Sub not used: Zaluska