Scott McDonald captained Celtic in his native Australia

Forgotten striker Chris Killen scored a double and Celtic manager Tony Mowbray hailed goalkeeper Artur Boruc after his new side's 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar.

Koki Mizuno grabbed Celtic's other goal in the pre-season friendly in Australia that was Mowbray's first as manager.

"From day one, walking in the building, I could see how good a goalkeeper Artur is really," said Mowbray.

"He's so assured in everything he does and he's such a big presence and today he proved it on the pitch."

There had been speculation that Boruc, who had a dip of form last term amid problems in his private life, might leave Celtic Park following the arrival of Poland international team-mate Lukasz Zaluska from Dundee United.

But Boruc impressed in Brisbane as Sunday newspapers hit the streets quoting chief executive Peter Lawwell stressing that Celtic had no plans to sell the 29-year-old.

The Pole made brilliant one-handed stops to deny Robbie Kruse and Sergio van Dijk in the opening stages against Brisbane before Celtic stamped their class on the game.

I think Marc-Antoine Fortune showed how strong he can be, how well he holds the ball up Celtic manager Tony Mowbray

And Mowbray remarked: "It's no secret, I think everyone knows Artur Boruc is a top, top goalkeeper and we're happy to have him."

Former Rangers defender Craig Moore was in Roar's starting line-up, while ex-Ibrox players Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm came on as substitutes, but it was young striker Kruse who gave Celtic most trouble early on.

"It was a real good work out," said Mowbray. "It came across as a top football match against a highly-motivated team."

Celtic's goals came from two players who rarely featured under previous manager Gordon Strachan, former Hibernian striker Killen and Japanese midfielder Mizuno.

Killen, who was on loan to Norwich City last season, is well known to Mowbray as they were together at Easter Road.

But it was another of Mowbray's former charges on whom most of the spotlight fell in front of a crowd of 31,000 at the Suncorp Stadium.

Marc-Antoine Fortune, who joined Celtic in a £3.8m move from Nancy hours before jetting out to Australia, was not at his best, but Mowbray was confident that his first signing would eventually shine.

"I think he showed how strong he can be, how well he holds the ball up," the manager said of the French Guiana-born striker he had on loan at West Brom last season.

"We signed him the day before we came, so we didn't want to rush him into anything.

"He'll be fine, I've got no fears about his quality and he'll fit in well."

The second-half was disrupted by three pitch invaders, including one streaker sprinting across the Roar goal line clad only in a Celtic scarf, but Mowbray was pleased with the workout.

"We probably gave them too many opportunities in the first 10 minutes, but that's understandable after the journey and how quickly the game has come after landing," he said.

"I thought we put a really good work ethic into it and a couple of real bits of quality scored us the goals and in any football match that's ultimately what counts."

The only concern arising from the match was a possible knee injury to youngster Milan Misun, but Mowbray was optimistic it was not too serious.

"I'd be more concerned if it was one of the more senior players," he said. "We go into the Champions League games hoping they'll all be playing.

"There was a concern about his knee, but we're hopeful it's just a kick, there's a bit of swelling there."

Killen put Celtic ahead after 39 minutes, heading home a Lee Naylor cross, and then fired home from a Shaun Maloney pass three minutes later.

Mizuno headed the third from an Andreas Hinkel cross after the break.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version