Celtic’s Pre-Season Review – Highs, Lows and Transfer Frustrations

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The Celtic Star

·27 de julio de 2025

Celtic’s Pre-Season Review – Highs, Lows and Transfer Frustrations

Celtic’s 2025–26 pre-season offered a mix of results, performances, and takeaways as Brendan Rodgers put his side through a challenging and euro-trotting summer schedule…

Auston Trusty of Celtic FC (C) celebrates after scores the first goal during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

With friendlies in Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, and Italy, fans were given a glimpse into tactical tweaks, individual development, and areas that still need reinforcement ahead of the new campaign.

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Queen’s Park 0-1 Celtic

Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic coaching staff/ Queen’s Park 0-1 Celtic. 4 July 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Hoops kicked off their pre-season on 4 July against Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden. Played in front of a small crowd, the match served primarily as a fitness-building exercise and squad workout. Celtic emerged with a comfortable win, but it was an outing predominately for the young ‘uns with a smattering of first team players as Johnny Kenny grabbed the only goal with an assist from Mitchell Frame.

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Cork City 1-2 Celtic

Colby Donovan of Celtic celebrates their goal to make it 1-2 Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

A few days later, Rodgers’ side headed to Ireland on 8 July, taking on Cork City. The match offered younger players and fringe squad members valuable minutes, while also securing some early silverware for the resident Irish fans and the travelling support.

Teenager Colby Donovan was the unlikely hero as Celtic edged the game 2–1 to lift the inaugural Cork Super Cup before 26,000 fans. Luke McCowan opened the scoring with a superb first‑half strike, but a mix‑up at the back allowed Cork to equalise.

With Stephen Welsh forced off injured, Donovan—who started at right‑back, was withdrawn at halftime, then reintroduced at centre‑back—rose highest to head home a late winner from Mitchell Robertson’s knock‑down.

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Estrela da Amadora 3-2 Celtic

Estrela da Amadora v Celtic. Pre-season friendly in Lisbon. 12 July 2025.

The squad then moved on to Portugal for an intensive training camp and two friendlies. The first, on 12 July against Estrela da Amadora, was played behind closed doors—though it was broadcast on Celtic TV.

Celtic suffered a 3–2 defeat at Benfica’s training complex, exposing familiar defensive frailties. Reo Hatate opened the scoring early after a slick buildup involving Marco Tilio and Luke McCowan. But a penalty conceded by Colby Donovan, followed shortly by a headed goal at a corner, turned the game on its head before half-time.

In the second half, Benjamin Nygren—making his debut—assisted Adam Idah to level the score at 2–2. However, Celtic were caught on a counter by Jovane Cabral, who struck the winner after a quick break in the 65th minute.

Rodgers didn’t hide his frustration post-match, voicing concern over both the defending and a lack of cutting edge up front. He reiterated the club’s need for attacking reinforcements if they are to meet expectations this season. Rodgers described the match as ‘a really good exercise,’ highlighting strong work ethic and chances for squad integration, while admitting defensive transitions remain a concern that must be addressed.

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Sporting CP 0-2 Celtic

Benjamin Nygren of Celtic Ajax v Celtic, Como Cup Pre Season Football, Football, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy – 24 Jul 2025Como Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia Italy. Photo Shutterstock IMAGO

On 16 July, Celtic ended their Portugal training camp with an impressive 2–0 win over Sporting CP at the Estádio do Algarve, showing real purpose, control, and intensity in humid conditions.

Reo Hatate opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Johnny Kenny was brought down in the box. Luke McCowan added a second with a wonderfully composed finish, finishing off a slick counter-attack initiated by Kenny.

The midfield trio of Hatate, Callum McGregor, and Benjamin Nygren dictated play with confidence, while Daizen Maeda’s pressing and energy set the tone for Celtic’s aggressive off-the-ball work. Defensively, the back line featuring Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, and Dane Murray looked well-organised and composed under pressure.

Brendan Rodgers praised the team’s pressing, ball movement, and overall fitness levels, describing the performance as a real step forward. The result served as a much-needed confidence boost heading into the final stages of pre-season.

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Celtic 4-0 Newcastle United

Arne Engels scores the first goal from the penalty spot during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Celtic returned home on 19 July to face Newcastle United at Celtic Park in the adidas Trophy, and produced arguably their best performance of pre-season, dismantling the Premier League side 4–0.

Arne Engels opened the scoring from the spot, with Johnny Kenny and Yang adding well-taken goals. Kieran Tierney, cheered from the rafters on his return to Paradise, came on in the second half and provided the assist for Liam Scales, who headed in the fourth.

Though Hayato Inamura was the only recent signing involved, much of the post-match praise centred on established figures like Auston Trusty, who dominated in defence and was named Man of the Match, and Luke McCowan, who linked well in attacking transitions. Inamura showed promise with forward-minded passing and quick distribution.

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Ajax 5-1 Celtic

Raul Moro of Ajax competes for the ball with Anthony Ralston of Celtic FC during the Como Cup match between Ajax and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 24, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Celtic wrapped up their summer preparations at the Como Cup in Italy.

On 24 July, they suffered a heavy 5–1 loss to Ajax in the semi-final. Yang scored Celtic’s only goal in a game that saw defensive errors punished heavily. Off the pitch, some minor crowd disturbances upset the sensibilities and business interests of Roger Mitchell, on a night to forget.

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Al-Ahli Saudi 1-1 Celtic (Celtic win 5-3 on penalties)

Celtic FC players celebrate the victory at the end of the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Two days later 0n 26 July, Celtic faced Al-Ahli in the third-place play-off. Auston Trusty equalised with a second-half goal and the game finished 1–1, going to penalties. Celtic prevailed 5–3 in the shootout, with Shin Yamada calmly converting the decisive spot-kick after a key save from Viljami Sinisalo.

Rodgers used the match to rotate heavily; Engels, Ben Summers, McCowan, Stephen Welsh, and Yamada all scored in the shootout. We are yet to hear if supporter behaviour was more acceptable to Roger Mitchell this time around, or if he chose not to attend this one for fear of guilt by association.

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Pointers from Celtic’s pre-season

Several players used the pre-season to build momentum. Auston Trusty may have claimed his position as a first-choice centre-half and was arguably Celtic’s most consistent performer across the summer. Luke McCowan continued his steady progress, contributing goals and link play. Yang provided directness and threat, while Yamada, though limited in minutes, showed coolness under pressure and looks very promising indeed.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

New signing Hayato Inamura looked tidy at left-back, and Benjamin Nygren injected creativity in the central midfield despite being expected to play out wide.

But for Rodgers, the bigger story was the tactical shift. The team appears to be moving toward quicker transitions and vertical passing, perhaps with European football in mind, a notable contrast to the slower, more deliberate possession style of last season.

Despite encouraging signs, Rodgers was clear in his post-match interviews – Celtic must strengthen up front.

Celtic FC coach Brendan Rodgers looks on before the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The loss of Kyogo and Nicolás Kühn has left a major gap in creativity and goals. While youth and squad depth were on display, Rodgers repeatedly emphasised the need for top-end quality to match the club’s ambitions and it’s difficult to argument with that assessment.

Celtic’s pre-season gave fans reason for optimism. Dominant wins, strong individual performances, and signs of tactical evolution. But defensive lapses and a shortage of natural finishers and creative wide players suggest there’s work to do.

With Rodgers calling for reinforcements and the league season about to kick off, how the board responds could prove decisive in shaping the club’s fortunes as Celtic move on to competitive action with Flag Day against St Mirren next Sunday.

Niall J

Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.

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