Celtic’s preparations for season 2025/26 continued with a 2-1 victory over Cork City at a sun-soaked Páirc Uí Chaoimh tonight.

A sizzling first-half strike from Luke McCowan gave the Hoops the lead, before young Colby Donovan popped up with a late winner in the second half to secure the victory and clinch the Cork Super Cup.

After the victory in Ireland’s Rebel County, Celtic TV spoke to the manager, Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s most decorated player, James Forrest.

Forrest reflected on the benefits of being able to utilise the squad in these pre-season fixtures, saying: “It’s always great to come to Ireland. You can see the turn-out and all the fans here tonight.

“We played two 45’s, two different teams, and it was a really good test. It was good for the boys that played to get 45 minutes in their legs, and it’s another step forward in pre-season.

Meanwhile, Brendan reflected on the match overall, praising the quality and mentality of the team. He said: “At this stage of the pre-season they are just finding their pitch geography again. First half we were really good.

“We obviously changed the team. But overall finding that Celtic mentality to keep going to the very end.”

Brendan Rodgers’ and James Forrest’s post-match interviews are available to watch now.

BRENDAN RODGERS

Post-match reaction: Manager and James Forrest