Pep Guardiola puts Celtic in top tier company as Brendan Rodgers plays on old Man City pals’ act

A "top team" is Pep Guardiola's glowing assessment of Celtic ahead of going head-to-head with the Hoops across The Pond.

Man City take on Brendan Rodgers' Premiership champions in North Carolina, with the Citizens set to field a young side as Guardiola ramps up preparations to defend the Premier League title he claimed yet again last season. The clash with Celtic kicks off a run of glamour friendlies against European big guns with AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea to come before a derby clash with Manchester United in the Community shield at Wembley.

Guardiola is eager to see how his young charges respond to the tests in front of them, starting with the Scottish champions. However, the priority is getting through unscathed as well as soaking in the experience of playing genuine heavyweights in the United States, while Guardiola singled out one City player he's keen to assess following a bruising loan at Sheffield United last term.

“No injuries," was the Spaniard's key message. "That would be a big success we can have. We don’t come here for the four trophies, we come here to have no injuries, to step up where we are. 80 or 85 per cent of the team is from the young academy players – the experience will be good.

“We get to play against of course, Celtic, in Scotland a top team. After it’s Milan, come on, Barcelona and Chelsea. These guys playing against these teams, it’s a good experience to see how they can compete. It’s massively important for all of us, for them.

“I want to see all of them. I’m curious to see James McAtee especially, coming back from Sheffield. I have a high opinion of him. I would love to have him and keep him next season with us. He’s a special guy who can play in space in the pockets. I think he grew