Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026
Trivia
- KO: 14:00, Saturday; Celtic TV only
- Charity Match. Annual event now and well respected to see some old faces back.
- 2-2 at FT, Celtic won 4-3 on penalties!
- Artur Boruc wore a Palestine top after the match.
- Match overshadowed by absolute disaster of a transfer window, with the first team left without a main permanent striker, and struggling to get much on board in the last day, and even snubbed. First choice pick for striker Dolberg was nicked by Ajax. Shambles, and the pitch forks from the Celtic fans were out in force.
- Underwhelming turnout due to major backlash from supporters of both clubs as the boards at both teams are under the cosh
- Celtic were to receive a sell-on fee as former striker Oh Hyeon-gyu prepares to leave Genk for Stuttgart in a £24m move, however the move fell thru reputedly due to a failed medical!
- Absolute disaster of a transfer window with the final days seeing snubs and Celtic without a main striker.
- Celtic made enquiries over potential moves for former Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford and former Nottingham Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis before sealing a deal for another free agent in Kelechi Iheanacho
- Yang was sent to Birmingham to complete a £3m move but Celtic pulled the plug on it as due to failure in the transfer.
- Maeda in a Japanese media interview admitted that he had requested a move during the summer but it was knocked back, and there was interested from the EPL & Germany.
- Tierney & Ralston pulled out of Scotland squad due to injuries!
- Reports:
- Celtic joined Sevco, Lyon and Leicester City in the race to land 22-year-old Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan.
- Fofana of Chelsea snubs Celtic for Charlton only for that loan to fall thru and he was left with nothing!
- Dolberg snubs Celtic for Ajax.
- Transfer window closed 1 Sep
- Transfers in: Kieran Tierney (free from Arsenal, 27 May 2025); Ross Doohan signed on a three-year deal. Isaac English from Morton; Benjamin Nygren undisclosed fee from Nordsjaelland (est €1.5/£1.3m); Callum Osmand development fee from Fulham; Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata fee £~250k; Shin Yamada est £1.2m from Kawasaki Frontal; Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from Man City, 1 year loan (no purchase option); Marcelo Saracchi on loan from Boca Jrs; Kelechi Iheanacho (free, post window); Tunisia winger Sebastian Tounekti (£5.5m from Hammerby)
- Transfers out: Scott Bain released on a free, moved to Falkirk; Daniel Cummings (£300k, pre-contract signed last Jan with West Ham); Joey Dawson (free to Scunthorpe); Matt Anderson to KV Kortrijk (Belgium, Free); Maik Nawrocki year loan deal to German side Hannover 96 with purchase clause; Lagerbielke to Braga (est up to £2.7m with 10% sell on clause); Lenny Agbaire to Rotherham (free); Luis Palma to Lech Poznan on loan with purchase option; Kyle Ure to Ayr Utd on loan; Ben McPherson season-long loan move to Partick Thistle; Mitchel Frame signs for Aberdeen for est £250k; Adam Idah to Swansea City (est £6m plus £1m addons), Stephen Welsh (loan to Motherwell)
Summary
This match was overshadowed by the backlash from the Cetlic support against the board (and to a lesser extent the team management) for the recent shambles in the transfer window. So crowd was lower than could have been due to the backlash. Anyhow, those who turned out had a good time.
The Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, which was founded in 1986 and represents fans worldwide, has issued a statement expressing “growing concern over the club’s current trajectory and apparent lack of ambition”.It says this has come “despite robust financial results” and despite concerns expressed by Rodgers and club captain Callum McGregor.”The recurring failure to adequately prepare for key European fixtures has become a troubling pattern, raising serious questions about the club’s strategy, planning and competitive priorities,” it adds.”We call on CEO Michael Nicholson to provide a clear and direct explanation to supporters and shareholders – outlining the club’s long-term vision, its commitment to genuine footballing ambition and the rationale behind the lack of visible progress in this summer’s transfer window.”At a time when decisive leadership is needed, continued silence only deepens frustration.”Celtic’s support demands transparency, accountability and a plan that reflects both the aspirations of our fanbase and the full potential of Celtic Football Club.”These concerns have been further compounded by the disarray witnessed on the final evening of the transfer window.”
Teams
Celtic
Hart, Lustig, Loovens, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Naylor, Crosas, Ledley, Rogic, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs: Boruc, Johansen, Hinkel, Donnelly, Maloney, Petrov, Samaras
Goals:
McDonald 75, Maloney 78
Manchester Utd
van der Gouw, Simpson, Pugh, Blackett, Silvestre, Fletcher, Berbatov, Djemba Djemba, Carrick, Saha, Nani.
Subs: Pilkington, Poborsky, Webber, Chadwick, Campbell, Eagles, Gibson, Blackmore
Goals:
Fletcher 20, Berbatov 29
Ref:
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
Celtic shoot-out success in Foundation Legends Match
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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06 Sep 2025, 4:03 pm
Celtic FC Foundation Legends Charity Match
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Celtic Park, Glasgow
CELTIC… 2
(McDonald 75, Maloney 78
MANCHESTER UNITED… 2
(Fletcher 20, Berbatov 29
Celtic win 4-3 on penalties.
It was a day when charity was the winner at Paradise in the Celtic FC Foundation Legends Charity Match, although at the end of the game, it was Celtic who came out on top, winning the match following a penalty shoot-out, with Lee Naylor netting the winning penalty.
The primary aim of the game was to raise money to support Celtic FC Foundation projects, specifically Paradise Pit Stop.
It provides a free warm meal and a selection of hot and soft drinks, in a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming environment for individuals and families even Monday and Thursday evening, and every Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
It’s also an inclusive space where people from some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable communities can access essential support services.
The aim of the project is to provide relief from food poverty and tackle the increasing issue of loneliness and isolation in our communities.
And since its inception, Paradise Pit Stop has supported over 30,000 individuals and provided over 61,500 hot meals and drinks, as the project has been a vital resource for so many within our communities.
All the supporters who came along to Celtic Park played their part in raising vital funds as well as enjoying a trip down memory lane as they cheered on some of their former Hoops heroes.
It was Manchester United who opened the scoring after 20 minutes when lifelong Celtic fan, Darren Fletcher, fired in a powerful shot from the edge of the box which evaded Joe Hart in the Celtic goal.
And nine minutes later, the English side made it 2-0. This time, Nani showed great skill down the left flank before slotting the ball back to Dimitar Berbatov who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 12 yards out
Celtic’s best chances of the first-half fell to Scott McDonald, who knocked the ball over from six yards out after it had been played over the top of the United defence.
And Charlie Mulgrew came close towards the end of the half with a powerful shot inside the area which was well saved by Raimond van der Gouw.
The second-half saw a number of changes to the line-ups, with one of those, Shaun Maloney, coming close to a goal in the 50 minute, but his free-kick from 23 yards out flashed just wide of the target.
But the Hoops did get a goal back with 15 minutes remaining, courtesy of Scott McDonald.
The ball was threaded through to Georgios Samaras who, in turn, fed McDonald. And while his initial effort was blocked on the line, he took aim again and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Just three minutes later, it was 2-2 and this time Maloney was on target, pouncing on the ball on the edge of the six-yard box to steer the ball into the back of the net.
Celtic came close to a winner when Scott McDonald intercepted a cross-field pass, but his effort from 25 yards out went just wide.
The game was decided by a penalty shoot-out and it was Celtic who came out on top, with Lee Naylor scoring the all-important winning goal.
CELTIC: Hart, Lustig, Loovens, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Naylor, Crosas, Ledley, Rogic, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs: Boruc, Johansen, Hinkel, Donnelly, Maloney, Petrov, Samaras
MANCHESTER UNITED: van der Gouw, Simpson, Pugh, Blackett, Silvestre, Fletcher, Berbatov, Djemba Djemba, Carrick, Saha, Nani.
Subs: Pilkington, Poborsky, Webber, Chadwick, Campbell, Eagles, Gibson, Blackmore
…