Celtic ended their pre-season foray to France with a sobering 4-0 friendly defeat by Paris St Germain at the Parc des Princes.
Striker Kylian Mbappe had the home side ahead in the first minute with a smart finish and in the 25th minute Brazilian superstar Neymar added a second.
Neil Lennon’s side went into the game following a 2-1 defeat to Lyon and a 1-1 draw with Nice in the Veolia Trophy tournament but this was a huge step up from which they can take added fitness and sharpness.
Celtic’s response was heartening.
In the 13th minute the Hoops’ French midfielder Olivier Ntcham’s goal-bound shot was deflected over the bar for a corner, which came to nothing but PSG always retained a threat and at the other end striker Mauro Icardi was only inches away from getting on the end of an Mbappe cross.
To end a decent spell of play by the Scottish champions, Neymar took a cutback 14 yards from goal and drove in PSG’s second off the legs of defender Nir Bitton.
In the 34th minute Bain made a good save from Mbappe’s strike after he had been sent through by Neymar.
A new look PSG side started the second half almost as quickly as the first – although Bain looked at fault when Herrera slammed in a low drive, the ball bouncing up from the keeper’s gloves and into the roof of the net.
There was little more of note until the 62nd minute, when Herrera smashed a drive from 25 yards past the post, but four minutes later Sarabia made it four with a textbook volley from a Verratti pass.
Celtic kept going and in the 72nd minute, substitute James Forrest, on for Nir Bitton, had a decent drive saved by Sergio Rico and the Scotland winger came close with a drive in the final minute as the visitors tried in vain for a consolation.
