Eddie Howe on PSR, wages, attracting players and keeping Alexander Isak at Newcastle United | OneFootball

Eddie Howe watched on as Newcastle United lost to Celtic.

The home side deserving the win, but it was more a one or two goal defeat, rather than a 4-0.

Celtic playing their fifth friendly in front of fans as their season starts in only two weeks time, whereas this was United’s first, so it was always going to be a tough ask for Eddie Howe and his players.

Not that this excuses some of the mistakes made at key moments on Saturday, however, Newcastle’s general play wasn’t bad, just the key moments at both ends when getting near the penalty area.

Eddie Howe of course not helped either by the fact that four automatic first choice starters weren’t available to play, with Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Joelinton and Alexander Isak not involved.

Eddie Howe quizzed after the game about Alexander Isak who has been constantly in the spotlight, the United boss asked if everybody at Newcastle is determined to keep the star striker:

“Absolutely.

“Nobody feels any differently [to myself, from the board to staff, to players.

“We value his qualities and him as a person.

“The desire is strong [that Alexander Isak remains at Newcastle United]”

With Alexander Isak having struggled with injury and fitness late last season and then only joining pre-season this past week, no surprise to see him not involved at Celtic, Eddie Howe though asked if he he was expecting Isak to be involved in the upcoming friendlies:

“Yes, I absolutely expect him to be in Singapore and South Korea, playing in the games over there. Absolutely.

“Is the desire to keep him right through the club? Absolutely.”

Eddie Howe though also spelling out where Newcastle United are in their development, trying to compete on and off the pitch, closing the financial chasm to certain rivals:

“Finances play a big part of course.

“Anyone who doesn’t accept that is deluded.

“It would be wrong to put that on each and every player, each situation is different, but we can’t and aren’t the biggest payers in the league, because we don’t generate the most income.

“So, we have to fall in line with PSR, be very smart with what we do.

“We have to control the wages of the players we have and that all plays a part in who we can attract.”

Final score:

Celtic 4 Newcastle 0

Newcastle team v Celtic:

Pope (Dubravka 46), Trippier (Krafth 46), Botman (Burn 46), Schar (Lascelles 46), Barnes (Gordon 46), Targett (Alex Murphy 46), Osula (Neave), Jacob Murphy (Elanga 46), Willock (White 46), Bruno (Tonali 46), Miley (Hernes 75)

Unused Subs:

Ruddy, Ashby, Munda

Newcastle United pre-season friendly schedule 2025/26

(Saturday 12 July – Newcastle 4 Carlisle 0 (Behind closed doors))

Saturday 19 July – Celtic 4 Newcastle 0

Sunday 27 July – Arsenal v Newcastle

Wednesday 30 July – Team K-League all stars v Newcastle

Sunday 3 August- Spurs v Newcastle

Friday 8 August – Newcastle v Espanyol

Saturday 9 August – Newcastle v Atletico Madrid

(Celtic 4 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)