What on earth was going on at Cliftonville?

Results in friendly games barely matter, it's not wise to comment on a game that you haven't been at, to quote James Sanderson, but tonight's 3-0 defeat at Cliftonville is a poor result whatever the circumstances.

Wearing a Celtic shirt at any level should carry a strong element of pride, for various reasons playing for Celtic in Belfast should bring out an extra effort regardless of the friendly tag.

Facing up to Neil Lennon, Danny McGrain and Tony Mowbray after a 3-0 defeat in a heartland that is starved of Celtic isn't recommended.

Amongst the Celtic side tonight was Lucasz Zaluska, Barry Robson, Marc Crosas, Zheng Zhi and Koki Mizuno. Zhi can mainly be excused but the others should have been putting on a performance to impress.

OPPORTUNITY
With a lengthy injury list, international fixtures and a two-games-a-week schedule underway, fringe players had the perfect opportunity to show that they are worthy of first team consideration.

Again without being at the match it's difficult to comment but the Celtic side that played Cliftonville should have put on a better performance and will have no-one to blame but themselves if they aren't given a first team look in the coming weeks.

With all respect to Cliftonville the Irish League is currently one of the weakest in Europe with their teams regularly hammered in the opening rounds of the European competitions.

Champions Glentoran lost 10-0 on aggregate to Maccabi Haifa while Randers of Denmark beat Linfield 7-0.

After 13 league matches Cliftonville are sitting in sixth place in the 12 team league with 19 points so far this season, nine points behind leaders Crusaders.

FAVOURS
It will barely register in the chip wrappers but tonight's result won't have done any of the players any favours.

Mowbray must have been hoping that someone would shape up and provide him with an option for the weekend game with Motherwell.

Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt have made the most of their recent first team opportunities, it is possible to play your way into the first team. I wouldn't hold my breath on any of tonight's team making the bench against Motherwell on Saturday.

Celtic team: Zaluska, Towell, Thompson, D Gallagher, Conroy; Carey, Robson, Crosas, Mizuno; Zhi, McGowan