Petty: Carry On The Momentum

- Leicester City’s Development Squad face Celtic on Wednesday
- The Premier League International Cup fixture is a 7pm kick-off
- Coach Ben Petty was pleased with the display against Man City
- Replicating that performance is the aim, he says

A goalless draw against Premier League 2 Division 1 leaders and current champions Manchester City on Friday night was a good platform to build on, with the point claimed at LCFC Training Ground the team’s first of 2023.

Now facing Glaswegian giants Celtic in their final Group A match, there is still a chance to progress into the knockout stages, providing an extra incentive to win the game. On four points from three games, Leicester current sit fifth in the eight-team pool, while the Bhoys are a point behind, in sixth.

“I think having another game this week is a chance to build on the recent performances,” City’s coach told LCFC.com. “Even though we had defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal, the performance levels have been improving.

“And we’ve been really happy with how the players are trying to put into practice what we’re working on. I think this is another opportunity to do that really against a very good side.

“We’ve watched Celtic’s games against Fulham and Wolves. They look a very good side. They cope physically very well and they press very well. They are obviously getting a lot of their traits from their first team so it’s going to be a really tough game, a really physical match.

“We’ve prepared the players accordingly for the challenge. We told them we have to win the game to have a chance of going through. It’s going to have to be a convincing win. We’re looking for a fast start to try and get on top of the game early and try and get a win under our belts going into Monday as well.”

With another league fixture coming up on Monday, away to Brighton & Hove Albion (3pm kick-off), it is a challenging period of fixtures for City’s youngsters, only heightened by a long list of absentees, due to injury.

“Brighton is going to be a tough ask on Monday,” Petty added. “We’ve three games in just over a week. It a real big demand on the lads but it’s something they‘ve got to get used to if they want to play league football, which they all do.

“We’re here to prepare them for that challenge and they’re definitely getting that this week. In fairness, the lads that are playing and starting, they are always happy.

“The squad is very together, not only in playing and putting a shift in together as players, but also supporting those lads that are starting to get back as well.”