Celtic 4-0 Newcastle United – Cheer up Toon Army, God bless Nick Pope

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·19 luglio 2025

Celtic 4-0 Newcastle United – Cheer up Toon Army, God bless Nick Pope

It might only be pre-season, but try telling that to the Celtic support who cheered their side to a 4-0 dismantling of Premier League opposition at Celtic Park this afternoon…

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers’ side looked every inch the European hopefuls they aim to be. Newcastle United, English League Cup Winners just a few short months ago, were blown away by a relentless, ruthless Celtic side who are clearly a couple of weeks ahead in their preparations—but even with that caveat, this was impressive.

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Much like Wednesday night’s tidy 2-0 win over Sporting CP in Portugal, Celtic found themselves up against a side who enjoyed spells of possession. But that allowed Celtic to show what they could do without the ball as well as with it. Celtic were compact, disciplined, and bursting with energy when it came time to pounce in transition.

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)

The first goal came from pressing high and forcing panic. A poor touch led to a penalty—coolly dispatched by Arne Engels—and that set the tone. Celtic hunted in packs just like in the Algarve on Wednesday night. They swarmed Newcastle’s midfield at times, and got their reward when Nick Pope, under pressure, gifted Johnny Kenny a tap-in after Kasper Schmeichel did brilliantly to spot the pass over the Newcastle press was on. 2-0 and cruising, but it was a fairly even first half, with Celtic just shading things.

Newcastle United fans watch the action during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Yes, Newcastle are a couple of weeks behind us in their pre-season work. Yes, this was their second run-out compared to our fifth. But let’s not dilute this too much either. Celtic played with intensity and tactical maturity, especially without the ball. We looked, in every sense, like a side being primed for the Champions League—not just to take part, but to be ready to compete.

One of the most pleasing aspects was the structure out of possession. Newcastle had their moments in possession at times, but Celtic’s defensive shape was impressive, and we were disciplined and resolute. The press was intelligent rather than chaotic, and the transitions were electric at times, especially when Maeda was motoring. You could see the coaching this team has been getting in pre-season out there on the pitch.

Celtic player Kieran Tierney is embraced by manager Brendan Rodgers before coming on as a substitute 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)

Rodgers has clearly been drilling patterns into this group. Benjamin Nygren impressed again, Kenny was superb without the ball, a little mixed with it. Even Kieran Tierney—back home at last, and still easing his way back to full sharpness—showed his quality with a peach of a cross for Liam Scales’ bullet header for the fourth.

There were moments of sloppiness, of course. Yang, despite grabbing a goal, finishing off a brilliant Celtic move continues to frustrate in spells, but you can see there is also real quality there. Kenny missed a sitter before making amends. And Luke McCowan’s physicality, or lack of it, was highlighted by playing against a team of real physical specimens. But these are still early days in a season, and the signs are promising.

Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle is challenged by Luke McCowan of Celtic 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)

A quick mention for Auston Trusty also, who was immense—dominant in the air, composed on the ball, and led the backline with real authority throughout. And some of the in-area defending and a couple blocks were particularly impressive, goal saving even, and he very much deserved his man of the match award.

The bigger picture here is confidence. Celtic are building a head of steam. Two clean sheets against strong European opponents. Six goals scored. A tactical flexibility emerging that suggests this isn’t just a Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic developing still further—this is Champions League Celtic in the making.

Of course, context matters. Newcastle were missing Alexander Isak and others. They’ve barely kicked a ball in anger since May. But good teams beat what’s in front of them—and great teams make it look easy. Today, Celtic did exactly that.

The Adidas Cup might be a shiny wee bauble, but this was about far more than a second friendly trophy of pre-season. This was about setting standards. About showing we’re not just the best in Scotland—we’re aiming higher than that.

Eddie Howe Head Coach of Newcastle reacts 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)

Next stop? Ajax in Italy on Thursday. After that it’s Como or Al-Ahli next Saturday or Sunday, depending on the result of that Ajax encounter. Then the serious stuff begins. But if this is the level Celtic are hitting in July, then Europe should take notice.

Auston Trusty of Celtic during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Because while the scoreline will raise eyebrows, it’s the performance that will turn heads.

Celtic are of course using these games to warm up for competitive football. But much like last summer in the US, we’re also laying foundations.

Europe, take note.

Niall J

Here’s Kieran Tierney speaking to The Celtic Star and a few other Celtic fan media sites…

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.