Pep Guardiola was full of praise for one of Manchester City’s youngsters after his side’s 4-3 defeat to Celtic.
City fielded an extremely young team, with players such as Rico Lewis, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Luke Mbete, Joshua Wilson-Esbrand, Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee and Oscar Bobb starting against the Scottish giants.
The oldest players amongst this group of young prospects were Bobb, McAtee and Wilson-Esbrand, who are all just 21 years old.
The senior figures in the side were Erling Haaland (24), Jack Grealish (28), Kalvin Phillips (28) and Stefan Ortega (31).
Due to a lack of experience and match-fitness, Manchester City ultimately lost to Celtic.
However, one player who impressed at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina was Bobb.
Pep Guardiola hails Oscar Bobb after Man City lose to Celtic
The £50,000-a-week man opened the scoring after his effort from close range struck Kasper Schmeichel’s hand and bobbled over past the goal line to help City equalise from being 1-0 down.
As Celtic were 3-1 up at the start of the second-half, Bobb’s individual brilliance caught the eye, as he ran rings around Gareth Taylor before playing a perfect cutback in Maximo Perrone’s path — who finished with aplomb.
The Norwegian international earned his second assist of the contest by playing a pinpoint cross in Haaland’s path, who headed the ball into the back of the net.
After Manchester City were beaten by Celtic, Pep Guardiola lauded Bobb.
Guardiola was initially asked whether he was pleased with the silky technician’s progression via the club’s official website: “Yes, of course.”
“Sometimes he’s a bit shy but when he plays without fear, he has incredible potential.”
“He connected well and Nico [O’Reilly] played well too.”
Oscar Bobb must play more regularly for Man City next season
The Oslo-born attacker started just seven games across all competitions last season.
However, with the 2023/2024 season being his debut campaign as a first-team player, Bobb himself would have been satisfied by at least getting somewhat of a look-in.
But as exemplified by his brilliant showing against Celtic, the versatile midfielder is ready to start more regularly next season.
Bobb provides dynamism, an eye for goals and assists, technical quality and a level of comfortability in tight areas that makes him an excellent option for any squad to have in midfield and out wide.
With how young he is as well, the highly-rated prospect’s development will only accelerate with more chances to start; especially considering he has lived up to the challenge of both playing centrally and as a winger already for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The hope remains that considering Bobb seems to continually improve, more starts next season are in store for him.
