Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season programme with a lively 2‑2 draw against the Italian giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals, scoring one himself and providing the assist for the second, before a rapid brace from teenage striker Francesco Camarda turned the tide and ensured the visitors left with a point. The match began with Celtic taking the initiative.
Early on, a mis‑judged back‑pass from AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped straight to Duran, who calmly slotted a left‑footed finish into the far corner of the net. That strike marked Duran’s third goal in as many pre‑season fixtures and gave the Scottish side a comfortable lead. The goal was a textbook example of a forward’s instinct: reading the ball’s trajectory, positioning himself between the goalkeeper and the line, and finishing with composure. Celtic’s second goal emerged from a similar defensive lapse on the Milan side.
Luke McCowan pressed high, forcing an error that saw Milan’s backline scramble. Duran, ever alert, raced onto the loose ball, out‑muscled goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, and laid the ball off to James Forrest. Forrest, who had been lurking near the edge of the box, struck the ball with authority, sending it past the keeper and doubling Celtic’s advantage.
At that point, the home team seemed firmly in control, and the first half ended with them leading 2‑0. The second half, however, saw a dramatic shift in momentum. After a flurry of substitutions by AC Milan’s coach, the Italian side emerged with renewed vigor.
Just a minute after the restart, Francesco Camarda made his impact. He was brought down in the penalty area by Celtic defender Cameron Carter‑Vickers, and the referee pointed to the spot. Camarda stepped up and coolly converted, reducing the deficit to one goal. Only six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace.
A well‑timed cross from the right, delivered by fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze, found Camarda’s head. He rose above the Celtic defence and powered a precise header into the net, leveling the score at 2‑2.
The quick response from Milan highlighted the importance of tactical adjustments and the depth of their bench, turning what had looked like a comfortable Celtic lead into a contested draw. Celtic’s bench also contributed to the excitement of the encounter.
Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, provided a burst of energy, curling a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani. Hatton’s cameo illustrated the club’s intent to give younger players valuable minutes in a high‑profile friendly.
In the post‑match interview, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance. He praised the pre‑season as a useful learning experience, acknowledging that the team had shown good quality but lost concentration after the break. O’Neill singled out Camilo Duran, describing him as “a really good player” and emphasizing that, if he stays injury‑free, he could become a significant asset for the club. He also highlighted the contributions of the younger squad members, noting that Thomas Hatton’s willingness to take on opponents was a “dying art” and a positive sign for the club’s future.
The draw also came on the same day that Celtic’s cult hero Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town, marking a bittersweet moment for the fans as they celebrated a new signing while also watching a teammate depart. Looking ahead, Celtic will begin their Scottish Premiership title defence at home against Dundee on August 3, with the match set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The opening weekend promises to be historic, as all six top‑flight fixtures will be shown live on the network for the first time, offering fans unprecedented access to the league’s kickoff. For supporters eager to follow Celtic’s journey, the full schedule of Premiership fixtures—including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash—has been made available online. Additionally, Sky Sports encourages viewers to download its app for seamless streaming, and the broadcaster continues to promote its pre‑season coverage across multiple platforms. Overall, the friendly against AC Milan provided Celtic with a valuable test against elite opposition, showcased the attacking prowess of Camilo Duran, and offered a glimpse of emerging talent like Thomas Hatton.
While the result was a draw, the performance gave the manager and fans plenty to discuss as they prepare for the upcoming domestic campaign.