Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season programme with an exciting 2‑2 draw against Italian giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals – he found the net himself and then set up a teammate – giving the Scottish side a comfortable lead before a rapid response from Milan erased the advantage.
The match began with Celtic pressing high and creating chances, and it didn’t take long for Duran to make an impact. In the first half, a careless back‑pass from AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped straight to the Colombian, who calmly slotted a left‑footed finish into the far corner of the net. That strike marked Duran’s third goal in as many games for the Hoops, underlining his growing importance in Martin O’Neill’s attacking setup. Celtic’s second goal came as a direct result of another defensive lapse on the Milan side.
Luke McCowan applied pressure on the ball, forcing an error that saw the Italian goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani scramble for a loose pass. Duran was quick to react, beating Torriani to the ball and delivering a precise cut‑back to James Forrest. The winger took the opportunity with a thunderous strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance, extending Celtic’s lead and seemingly putting the match out of reach. The visitors entered the break with a two‑goal cushion, and the atmosphere at the Celtic Park felt optimistic.
However, the second half brought a flurry of substitutions from AC Milan, injecting fresh energy into the side. Just a minute after the restart, teenage striker Francesco Camarda made his mark. After a penalty was awarded – the referee judged that Cameron Carter‑Vickers had brought Camarda down inside the box – the youngster stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, reducing the deficit to one goal. Six minutes later, Camarda struck again, this time with his head.
A well‑timed cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda in the penalty area, and the teenager rose above the defenders to direct a powerful header past the Celtic keeper, leveling the score at 2‑2. The rapid double from the 19‑year‑old highlighted Milan’s resilience and ensured the game would finish as a draw.
Celtic also saw contributions from the bench. Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, gave a lively cameo, curling a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani.
Hatton’s energy illustrated the depth of O’Neill’s squad and the willingness of younger players to make an impression during the preparatory period. In the post‑match interview, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance. He praised the team’s overall display, noting that the pre‑season fixtures had been enjoyable and productive.
"We did some really good things in the game," O’Neill said, "but we lost concentration after half‑time." He singled out Camilo Duran as a particularly valuable asset, adding, "If he steers clear of injury he'll be a big asset to us." The manager also emphasized the importance of giving younger players a chance, mentioning Thomas Hatton’s involvement as an example of a fading but valuable tradition in football – the art of taking players on directly in training and matches. The draw also came on a day of notable transfer news for Celtic. Cult favourite Daizen Maeda completed a move to Premier League side Ipswich Town, ending his stint with the Glasgow club. Despite the departure, O’Neill remained upbeat about the squad’s depth and the competition for places, suggesting that the internal battle for starting positions would drive overall improvement.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s season officially kicks off in the Scottish Premiership with a home fixture against Dundee on August 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match will start at 7.30 pm and forms part of a historic opening weekend in which all six top‑flight games are shown live on the network for the first time. Fans can follow the full schedule of Celtic’s league fixtures, including the eagerly anticipated Old Firm clash later in the season, via the club’s official channels. Beyond the immediate football action, the pre‑season encounter provided a platform for tactical experimentation.
O’Neill experimented with different formations, allowing midfielders to push higher up the pitch while testing the defensive solidity of his back line against a technically proficient Milan side. The quick goals from Camarda demonstrated how set‑pieces and penalty situations can dramatically shift momentum, a lesson that O’Neill is likely to incorporate into his training sessions. Overall, the 2‑2 result offered a balanced view of Celtic’s readiness for the upcoming campaign.
The team displayed attacking flair, particularly through Duran’s clinical finishing and creative playmaking, while also exposing moments of lapses in focus that need addressing. The contributions from the bench, the emergence of young talent, and the manager’s positive outlook all point toward a promising season ahead for the Hoops, provided they can maintain concentration and build on the foundations laid during this pre‑season tour.
Fans can continue to follow Celtic’s progress through the Sky Sports app, where live streams, highlights, and exclusive content are available. The club also encourages supporters to stay updated with the latest news on transfers, match previews, and ticket information as the Scottish Premiership launch approaches.