Celtic 4 Newcastle 0 – Keeping things in perspective | OneFootball

Celtic 4 Newcastle 0 – Saturday 19 July 2025 3pm

Newcastle United had the backing of the biggest ever number of away fans ever seen for a friendly at Celtic Park.

The 10,000+ official fans in the away end, plus another two or three thousand in the home sections.

A few things worth pointing out.

Celtic start their league season in two weeks time, Newcastle United a fortnight after that.

Celtic today playing their fifth pre-season friendly in front of fans, this only Newcastle’s first.

Most of United’s key players actually only joining the rest of the squad this past week, as internationals given extra time off after summer commitments with their national sides.

Joelinton and Alexander Isak both missing altogether today, the Newcastle United official site stating the pair both ‘having their minutes managed’ at the start of pre-season. Whilst also Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento unavailable at the moment.

From the kick-off, great to see Newcastle pressing high and Celtic having trouble playing it out from the back.

The first key moment came though on 19 minutes at the other end of the pitch, as Nick Pope made a brilliant reflex save from Schar

Four minutes later and Osula’s shot deflected by a defender and Schmeichel tips over.

A few minutes later and Joe Willock adjudged to have brought down his man from behind in front of goal. Having seen the replays, looked like zero contact, either a dive or the Celtic player kicking the ground.

VAR of course not in operation and on 28 minute Engels putting Celtic ahead from the penalty spot.

The game pretty even but few clear chances at either end, Celtic though missed a decent chance when in front of goal on 38 minutes, before Barnes cut in and shot, should have played in Willock and his effort blocked for a corner. A bit of the story of the first half, some decent play for Newcastle but the final ball/decision not great.

With 42 minutes on the clock, Will Osula rounded the keeper but from a tight angle his ball across for Barnes to score was blocked for a corner.

Then just before the break, a long ball down the middle by Schmeichel, Schar stepped up to the halfway line to play the offside. Trippier not on the same wavelength I think it was (haven’t seen a replay of this so don’t know if onside). Anyway, Kenny all alone running onto the keeper’s kick, Nick Pope comes out to try and clear the danger. A cruel bounce taking the ball over his head and Kenny a tap in for 2-0.

Newcastle United two down at the interval but in reality little between the two teams in the first half.

In the first half, I would say Bruno looked really sharp and good on the ball, likewise Botman really stood out at the back and on the ball. Apart from that second goal, Trippier did well. Barnes and Murphy not great with their deliveries from out wide.

Eddie Howe making nine changes for the second half, only Osula and Miley staying on.

Two minutes into that second half and Alex Murphy played it across from the left and a sharp save from Schmeichel kept out Osula’s effort.

United starting the half well but seeing the final ball, crosses, blocked by defenders, Miley and White both having shots charged down.

Then a bit like the first half, suddenly the ball up the other end and Krafth poor on the right, allowing his man to have all the time in the world to cross low and Alex Murphy out of position seemingly, as Yang had an open goal for 3-0.

On the hour mark Krafth then almost gifted a fourth goal, only for Celtic to fail to take advantage this time.

Brendan Rodgers then making 10 changes of his own.

On 76 minutes it is Scales heading home in the middle of the box, Tonali should have cut out the cross from United’s right.

Eddie Howe then making his other two changes, with youngsters Hernes and Neave replacing Miley and Osula.

Into added time and Hernes played in Krafth to cross, Neave though seeing the keeper save low down on the line, should have scored really by putting it wide of the keeper.

The final whistle blowing on a 4-0 defeat.

Mistakes at the back, at this stage maybe understandably not quite as switched on as you hope they will be after another month and five more friendlies before Villa away.

The same at the other end, failing to pick out the right ball or not getting shots away quick enough. Hopefully this will come, more mental and physical quickness as pre-season progresses.

Nothing to panic about, United didn’t play that badly, just bad moments and mistakes at key times, but their overall play was ok. Just didn’t have great penetration either, although I though Gordon and new boy Elanga looked pretty sharp the second half.

Osula was a willing runner and did ok overall, however, if say Isak had been on the pitch you have to feel he would have scored one, if not two.

United did win on the atmosphere front, with the huge away following enjoying themselves off the pitch, though a goal or two would have helped even more!

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