Adam Matthews is satisfied Celtic will not suffer the same defensive lapses shown against Ajax when they take on HJK Helsinki in the Champions League qualifiers.
The Welshman started at right-wing back for the Glasgow side in their 4-0 loss in Amsterdam at the weekend, with manager Neil Lennon starting the match with a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Ajax were comfortable winners, often causing disarray at the back and pinning the former Cardiff City player into a defensive role every time they got on the ball.
Matthews though insists the experimentation is better seen in friendlies such as that against the Dutch side and believes his side will be better equipped when they host Finnish opposition in just over a week’s time.
“The second and third goals were very sloppy,” Matthews told the Daily Record.
“We didn’t do ourselves justice and weren’t prepared enough. We tried two or three formations and we’d rather find out they don’t work now than in the game against Helsinki.
“I enjoy the wing-back role but it is tough going up and down. Defensively it’s much the same but when you play at wing-back you’re expected to get possession higher up the pitch.”
Goals from Siem De Jong, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Thulani Serero and Daley Blind, the latter a penalty after Charlie Mulgrew was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with his hand, condemned Celtic to defeat in the Netherlands.
Thomas Rogne was also at fault at the back for Lennon’s side, having been caught in possession to allow Serero a clear run through to beat Fraser Forster.
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