Pre-season Friendly
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Celtic Park

CELTIC…4
(Engels 28pen, Kenny 45, Yang 53, Scales 74)

NEWCASTLE UNITED…0

Celtic put Newcastle United to the sword at Celtic Park today, winning 4-0 to lift the inaugural adidas Trophy.

Brendan Rodgers' side started the match well and had a big chance with 13 minutes gone when Yang fired a ball into the box from the right wing which reached Engels, but he mistimed his shot and it was bundled behind for a Celtic corner.

With nearly 20 minutes played, Celtic almost took the lead through a Newcastle own goal.

Daizen Maeda was fouled in the middle of the park, but, in his usual relentless fashion, he rode the challenge and continued forward. He fed the ball out to Yang who whipped a dangerous ball in to the box which was diverted towards goal by Fabian Schärr, but Nick Pope was alert and pushed it wide for a Celtic corner.

The visitors’ first chance came soon after, with Willliam Osula’s effort from the edge of the box taking a deflection on its way towards goal, drawing a great save from Schmeichel to keep the score level.

Just after the 25-minute mark, the Hoops were awarded a penalty after a superb passing move set up Johnny Kenny with a chance, but Joe Willock bundled him to the ground before he could take a shot, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Arne Engels stepped up and sent Nick Pope the wrong way from 12 yards, firing the ball in to the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 to the Hoops.

Celtic then had a huge chance to double the advantage near the end of the first half when Yang sent another great ball in to the heart of the area to Johnny Kenny who had been left unmarked, but the young Irishman, at full stretch, couldn’t get enough on the ball.

However, Newcastle’s luck ran out just on the stroke of half-time when Kasper Schmeichel launched the ball forward for Johnny Kenny to chase.

Nick Pope came rushing out of his box to head the ball clear but he completely misjudged the bounce, leaving Johnny Kenny with an open goal to slot the ball in to, which he duly did, giving Celtic a 2-0 lead at the break.

The visitors, who made a number of changes at half-time, started the second half of the front foot, and had an early chance from close range through Osula, but Schmeichel made himself big and blocked the shot to prevent the goal.

Despite the early pressure from Newcastle, it was Celtic who landed the first blow of the second half to make it 3-0.

Luke McCowan picked up the ball in the midfield, and sent an excellent pass forward for Daizen Maeda to chase.

Daizen used his electric pace to pull clear of the chasing defender before sending the ball in to the box for Yang, who produced a tidy finish to extend the lead.

The decibel level inside Paradise was cranked up just a few moments later when Hayato Inamura, who had delivered an impressive performance. made way for Kieran Tierney, who entered the pitch to a standing ovation from the Celtic Park faithful, who were delighted to see one of their own back at Paradise.

Brendan Rodgers then made a further 10 changes, with everyone other than Tierney being replaced as the Hoops continue to build their fitness ahead of the upcoming season.

One of those substitutes, Adam Idah, found himself with a chance soon after coming on when Benjamin Nygren, making his first appearance at Celtic Park, slipped the ball through to him in the box. Idah spun and got a shot on goal, but the ball crept just wide of the post.

With 15 minutes to go, the Celts extended their lead further when Kieran Tierney whipped a superb cross in to the box which Liam Scales powered in to the top corner with a brilliant header, making it 4-0.

Newcastle thought they had grabbed a consolation goal at the death, but a header from close range from Sean Neave was superbly saved by Vil Sinisalo and the clean sheet was secured.

Callum McGregor was presented with the adidas Trophy by Hoops legend, Roy Aitken after the match, capping off a wonderful afternoon at Paradise.

Brendan Rodgers’ men will now get ready for a trip to Italy next week, where they will compete in the Como Cup, starting with a game against Ajax on Thursday night.

CELTIC: Schmeichel, Inamura, Trusty, Murray, Ralston, McCowan, McGregor, Engels, Maeda, Yang, Kenny.
Subs: Sinisalo, Doohan, Clarke, Scales, Nygren, Idah, Osmand, Tilio, Bernardo, Summers, Montgomery, Hatate, McPherson, Ure, Forrest, Donovan, Tierney

Celtic cruise to 4-0 victory against Newcastle at Paradise