2025-07-19: Celtic 4-0 Newcastle Utd, Friendly

Match Pictures | Matches: 2025 – 2026

Trivia

KO: 15:00, Saturday, Celtic TV
Adidas Trophy
Both clubs kit sponsored by Adidas…
First home game of the season, but as not free on the season ticket book a backlash with some boycotting it.
Return for Tierney to Celtic Park, and gets a warm welcome.
Newcastle brought on Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this month for £55m, for his debut at the break, but the winger could not make an impact.
Shin Yamada signs for £1.2m the day before this game and was paraded before the match.
Reports:
Kawasaki Frontale announced that Shin Yamada leaving, with the Japan striker set to join Celtic in a deal worth around £1.5m.
“Something could happen, we have plenty of time,” says Celtic-linked left-back Keita Kosugi, with the 19-year-old, currently playing for Djurgarden in Sweden.
Melbourne City do not expected Celtic winger Marco Tilio to return after 18 months on loan, he wants to stay in Europe.
Brendan Rodgers confirmed Yamada will undergo a medical, but says he wants further additions in forward areas.
Luis Palma has ‘agreed terms’ for the loan move with Polish side Lech Poznan, acc to reports.
Cluj have rejected a £6.9m bid from Celtic for striker Louis Munteanu, with the Romanian club saying they want double that.
interested in signing 22-year-old Ivorian striker Richard Kone from Wycombe Wanderers as a potential replacement for Daizen Maeda, but the English club could demand £7m.
Brentford interested in Celtic forward Daizen Maeda, given Yoane Wissa has been linked with Newcastle and Tottenham.
Ex-Celt Liam Henderson wanted by Sassuolo, who are returning to Serie A after one season in the second tier.
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;
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);
GAA: Tipperary demolished Cork in the Hurling final on next day/Sunday.

Summary

BBC:
Celtic went ahead after 28 minutes when Arne Engels sent Nick Pope the wrong way from the penalty spot after being brought down by Joe Willock inside the box.

Keeper Pope made a major error to gift the hosts a second just before half-time, rushing off his line and failing with an attempt to head a long ball clear to allow Johnny Kenny to pass it into the empty net.

Newcastle brought on Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this month for £55m, for his debut at the break, but the winger could not make an impact.

Celtic added a third seven minutes after the restart when South Korean Yang Hyun-Jun slotted past replacement keeper Martin Dubravka from close range.

Despite Newcastle having more possession in the second half, they conceded a fourth goal as Liam Scales powered a 75th-minute header into the top corner.

Brendan Rodgers : “It was always going to be a really good exercise against a top team and top players, and I thought the boys were very, very good. Naturally we’re after fitness and to develop that, but some of the football and the ideas we’ve been talking about and working on over the pre-season, we can see that and it was very impressive. What you have to do is be really good with the ball and be really technically good, and that’s what we were. Technically, we were so good in the game and then found our little patterns and that’s when we got into good spaces.”

Mangus Colorado of KDS:

A very good performance: many players contributing and working on both sides of the ball. I liked our 4 – 4 – 2 defending midfield to high up the field, and our player to player marking from midfield. Only criticisms: too narrow at times, especially on the right side, we get somewhat panicked when the ball comes into our box and players lose composure. Early on we had difficulty with their pressing but improved. Inamura is the real deal he is not ‘one for the future’ he is ready now; McGregor always looking for the ball, Engels played really well today especially on the defensive side of the ball. Trusty was excellent! McCowan very good. I think if Kenny had more composure he would be way ahead of Idah, however he does put in a shift. Both goalies were efficient. Second group: there is/are going to be really nice triangles from Reo, Maeda and Tierney. Bernardo, Donovan, Nygren were also had good cameos. Need Tileo to get on the ball more. Cannot understand the flack towards Yang! We need patience with some players!

Timbers of KDS:

Brilliant performance today. Things that stood out:

Ralston good again.
Trusty excellent MOTM.
Inamura looks good an upgrade on Taylor IF he can continue this form.
Tierney delightful crosses.

Kenny worked his socks off, linked the play well and deserved his goal, I would keep him around.
Idah linked the played brilliantly when he came on, nice to see that improvement.
Yang really good, pleased he got his goal.
Scales was good mid week and again today when he came on, great header. I think our LCB’s are benefiting from not having to cover for Taylor.

Back Rodgers FFS.

Teams

Celtic

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

Goals:
Engels 28pen, Kenny 45, Yang 53, Scales 74

Newcastle

Newcastle United: Nick Pope (Martin Dúbravka 46), Kieran Trippier (Emil Krafth 46), Sven Botman (Jamaal Lascelles 46), Sven Botman (Dan Burn 46), Matt Targett (Alex Murphy 46), Bruno Guimarães (c) (Sandro Tonali 46), Lewis Miley (Travis Hernes 76), Joe Willock (Joe White 46), Jacob Murphy (Anthony Elanga 46), Harvey Barnes (Anthony Gordon 46), William Osula (Sean Neave 76).

Goals:

Assists:

Saturday, July 19, 2025
Celtic Park
Ref:
Att:

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Articles

Celtic cruise to 4-0 victory against Newcastle at Paradise

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/july/19/celtic-cruise-to-victory-against-newcastle-at-paradise/

First Team

By Matthew Campbell

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19 Jul 2025, 5:00 pm

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.

Isak absent as Newcastle suffer in Celtic friendly

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c89ejp0nx8do
Celtic’s Yang Hyun-Jun celebratesImage source, PA Media
Image caption,

Celtic play Ajax in Italy on Thursday in their next pre-season game (19:30 BST)

Published
37 minutes ago

72 Comments

Newcastle left Alexander Isak out of their squad as they were beaten 4-0 by Celtic in their first pre-season friendly.

The 25-year-old Sweden striker’s future remains unclear after being the centre of transfer interest this summer.

Isak, along with Joelinton, was missed as Eddie Howe’s side were well beaten by the Scottish champions.

Celtic went ahead after 28 minutes when Arne Engels sent Nick Pope the wrong way from the penalty spot after being brought down by Joe Willock inside the box.

Newcastle brought on Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this month for £55m, for his debut at the break, but the winger could not make an impact at Celtic Park.

Celtic added a third seven minutes after the restart when South Korean Yang Hyun-Jun slotted past replacement keeper Martin Dubravka from close range.

Despite Newcastle having more possession in the second half, they conceded a fourth goal as Liam Scales powered a 75th-minute header into the top corner.

Howe’s side face Arsenal in their next pre-season game on Sunday, 27 July, in Singapore (12:30 BST).

Newcastle Utd

https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/celtic-4-newcastle-united-0

Newcastle United began their 2025/26 pre-season campaign with a heavy 4-0 away defeat against Scottish Premiership outfit Celtic FC on Saturday afternoon.

Competing for the first-ever adidas Trophy, the Magpies fell behind before the half-hour mark at Celtic Park following Arne Engels’ penalty before Johnny Kenny’s strike doubled the Hoops’ advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Anthony Elanga was handed his United debut at the restart following the Sweden international’s transfer from Nottingham Forest last week but Celtic extended their lead in the opening minutes of the second-half through Yang Hjun-jun’s close-range effort before Liam Scales’ header rounded off a difficult afternoon for Eddie Howe’s side in Glasgow.

Backed by 10,000 away supporters at Parkhead, Sven Botman produced an important last-ditch block to prevent Callum McGregor from opening the scoring in the early stages of the friendly as the Dutch defender turned the Celtic captain’s close-range strike onto the roof of the net after Yang’s inviting cross was initially miscued by Kenny before kindly falling into McGregor’s path.

Nick Pope was forced into action shortly after Fabian Schär inadvertently turned Yang’s cross towards his own net, forcing the Magpies goalkeeper to react quickly and turn the ball around the right-hand post for a corner with a strong left hand.

William Osula went close to firing United ahead as the Denmark Under-21 international collected Joe Willock’s pass before his deflected effort from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by Celtic ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Celtic took the lead in the 28th minute through Engels’ penalty. After the Belgian midfielder was fouled inside the box by Willock, the Belgian midfielder took the resulting spot-kick, sending Pope the wrong way from 12 yards after calmly stroking the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

Jacob Murphy, marking eight years since joining his boyhood club from Norwich City, went close to equalising for the visitors in swift fashion after connecting with Matt Targett’s cross at the back post but the winger’s header was comfortably held by Schmeichel.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Newcastle were dealt a further blow in the 45th minute as Kenny doubled Celtic’s advantage. After Schmeichel’s lengthy kick from his own box caught out the United defence, Pope was unable to head the ball clear of danger, which bounced over the Magpies goalkeeper and allowed Kenny to tap into an empty net.

Elanga was awarded his Magpies bow at the restart, one of nine changes at half-time, but it was Osula who went close to halving the deficit in the opening minutes of the second-half. After young duo Joe White and Alex Murphy combined neatly on the left flank, the latter’s low cross into the box found Osula but the 21-year-old’s first-time shot was saved by Schmeichel from close-range.

Celtic extended their advantage in the 52nd minute through Yang as the South Korea international got onto the end of Daizen Maeda’s dangerous pass before slotting a first-time strike beyond Martin Dúbravka.

Dúbravka prevented Celtic substitute Reo Hatate from adding to Celtic’s goalscoring tally as the Japanese midfielder dispossessed Jamaal Lascelles before his low drive from the edge of the box was scooped out for a corner by the Slovakian ‘keeper.

In the 75th minute, however, Newcastle conceded a fourth goal of the afternoon through Scales as the Irish defender rose high from Kieran Tierney’s lofted cross before guiding his header into the left-hand corner of the net.

Teenage forward Sean Neave, who joined the Magpies’ Academy as a 13-year-old, was handed his first-team debut for his boyhood club in the closing stages and almost scored on his United bow in stoppage-time as the Winlaton-born youngster’s header from Emil Krafth’s cross was pushed away on the line by substitute goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.

Subs not used: John Ruddy, Harrison Ashby, Anthony Munda.

Brendan Rodgers delighted with dominant display as Celts dismantle Newcastle

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/july/19/brendan-rodgers-delighted-with-team-s-display-as-they-dismantle-newcastle/

First Team

By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor

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19 Jul 2025, 6:11 pm

Brendan Rodgers’ enjoyed watching his side produce an impressive performance to beat Newcastle United 4-0 in their latest pre-season and the first at Celtic Park.

Goals from Arne Engels, Johnny Kenny, Yang and Liam Scales highlighted a dominant display from the Hoops against their English Premier League opponents, and the Celtic manager was pleased with both the performance and result.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “It was always going to be a really good exercise against a top team and top players, and I thought the boys were very, very good.

“Naturally we’re after fitness and to develop that, but some of the football and the ideas we’ve been talking about and working on over the pre-season, we can see that and it was very impressive.

“What you have to do is be really good with the ball and be really technically good, and that’s what we were. Technically, we were so good in the game and then found our little patterns and that’s when we got into good spaces.”

Arne Engels won and then converted the penalty which got the scoring underway in the first-half, while Johnny Kenny capitalised on a mistake by Newcastle goalkeeper, Nick Pope, to double the lead before the break.

In the second-half, the Hoops scored two great goals, with Yang finishing off a free-flowing move while Liam Scales headed home from a Kieran Tierney cross.

Speaking of Yang’s goal to make it 3-0, the Celtic manager said: “We saw it against Sporting. In the modern game you get lots of man-to-man play, so have to deal with that and cope with that pressure and handle the ball, and then play through it.

“It was really good play – brilliant by Johnny Kenny, how he received the ball and took it on to the side and then we got away with the two wingers and ended up scoring a very good goal.

“We saw last pre-season and obviously when you’re playing against a team from the English Premier League, you’re playing against one of the top teams, especially Newcastle – the size of the club and how they’ve been building with Eddie who’s done a brilliant job there, so you know you’re going to face a real stern test of all your qualities, and we saw that today.”