Match Preview: Celtic vs. Leicester City

Leicester City begin their thrilling International Champions Cup campaign with a trip to Celtic Park to take on Celtic on Saturday. 

The Foxes kicked-off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory at Oxford United on Tuesday evening, as Claudio Ranieri fielded a total of 22 players at the Kassam Stadium. 

City had to come from behind against Michael Appleton’s men after Chris Maguire put the Us in front on 14 minutes, but strikes from Demarai Gray and Jeffrey Schlupp meant the Foxes began pre season with a victory. 

Summer signings Ron-Robert Zieler, Luis Hernandez and Ahmed Musa all featured in the win over Oxford and will again be looking to impress during City’s International Champions Cup campaign. 

Saturday’s hosts Celtic have already got their competitive season underway, having faced Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps in two UEFA Champions League qualifiers. 

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Celtic emerged as 3-0 winners at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening thanks to three goals in six first-half minutes. 

Strikes from Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts booked Brendan Rodgers’ men a third qualifying round clash with Kazakhstan outfit Astana. 

First facing the Foxes, Celtic then take on Barcelona and Internazionale in the International Champions Cup either side of a Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts. 

Speaking to LCFC TV after the victory over Oxford, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri said: “It was important to make a very good session. It was our first friendly match and we won which is good, but it’s important that nobody got an injury. 

“We increased our fitness and stamina and that is important – it’s important to repeat some movement. Some players played 60 minutes and the others played just 30 or 45 minutes. 

“The plan was okay. Everybody was involved and everybody understood what our movement, idea and philosophy. I’m very, very pleased with them so far. 

"The players’ condition is slowly getting better and now we have three friendly matches in the International Champions Cup.” 

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told celticfc.net after the win over Lincoln Red Imps: “I was very pleased with the first 30 minutes. I thought the intensity was outstanding in the team, our pressing and ability to force mistakes and then get goals. 

“I thought the crowd were incredible. A near full house for a game like tonight was incredible and the players really felt that support. So overall we’re pleased to get through. 

“It certainly wasn’t perfect - there’s a way to go for us in terms of where I want us to be, but I’m delighted with the attitude of the players and how they took the game from kick-off. 

“We scored three and their goalkeeper probably stopped it maybe being double figures but we’re through and that’s the most important thing.” 

Striker Leigh Griffiths signed for Celtic in January 2014 and has since gone on to become a prolific goalscorer for the Scottish outfit. 

Griffiths netted 20 times in his first full season for Celtic, including a hat-trick against Kilmarnock, before scoring 40 goals in the 2015/16 campaign. 

That huge haul included an astonishing nine goals in just five appearances, with another treble, this time in the 8-1 thrashing of Hamilton in January 2016. 

Having already opened his 2016/17 account against Lincoln Red Imps on Wednesday evening, Griffiths could be the man City must keep an eye on on Saturday. 

TICKETS 

Tickets for Leicester City’s International Champions Cup clash with Celtic on Saturday 23 July are currently on General Sale. 

All tickets MUST be purchased in advance of the game – no tickets will be on sale on the day of the match. 

To purchase your tickets, call the Sales Centre on 0344 815 5000 (Option 1), visit the City Fanstore at King Power Stadium or online at