The fact of the matter is however that this game was of benefit to the team. With Celtic already in the country after 'competing' in the Algarve Cup and in need of a game against a progressively more talented football side this offered Gordon Strachan and his charges the platform to test a new formation with away Champions League ties in mind.
The manager elected for a 4-5-1 formation with Georgios Samaras in the lone striking position. A central pairing of Hartley, Brown and Donati offered extra cover for the defence and also afforded Donati a little more time and space on the ball, that, more often than not the undoubtedly talented Italian squandered.
The energy and willingness of Barry Robson to get forward and support Samaras shows that maybe now we have the personnel at our disposal to make an impact in these away Euro ties, although I won't get too carried away over a preseason result but the early signs are there that Celtic may be able to shake that European monkey off their backs, especially after witnessing that sublime passing move that led up to JVH's winner.
Strachan said: "Against Middlesbrough on Tuesday, our idea was to keep possession of the ball for as long as we could. It might have killed the game as a spectacle and I know that. But we're trying to educate ourselves in how to win away from home in Europe."
On the subject of new signings, Strachan contradicted his comments from last week stating that Celtic were indeed actively pursuing new players. This contradiction was more for the benefit of throwing the media dogs off the scent than to send mixed messages to the support. Here is what the ginger genius had to say:
"We have four or five targets at the moment - a couple in the same position - and we'll work away at getting them," he said.
"Of all the ones we are talking to right now, only one has popped up on the radar in the last couple of months.
"There have been ones you look at in the European Championships and go 'I like him'. Too dear. 'I like him'. Too dear."
I for one hope that the couple of players in the same position turn out to be left backs. Lee Naylor was an able bodied player who was generally evenly matched with his previous counterparts at right back but now since we have brought in a more talented ball playing right back in Hinkel this only serves to further expose the failings of the Weasel. The lack of balance going forward in the flanks is there for all to see and I wonder what impact having a better full-back to play with would have on Aiden McGeady's game?
On a final note, the only disappointment from Saturday's victory over Porto was that Victor Baia was not on the pitch when big Jan scored the winner!
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt