Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season campaign with an engaging 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 setting up another, before a rapid double from teenage striker Francesco Camarda in the second half ensured the visitors walked away with a point.
From the first whistle, Celtic looked eager to impose themselves on the neutral venue. Their early dominance paid off when a misplaced back‑pass from AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic fell to Duran in a dangerous area. Demonstrating composure beyond his years, the forward slotted a left‑footed shot into the far corner, giving Celtic a 1‑0 lead and marking his third goal in as many pre‑season matches. The goal not only highlighted Duran’s finishing ability but also underscored his growing importance to Martin O’Neill’s side.
Celtic’s second goal emerged from a similar defensive lapse on the Milan side. Luke McCowan, pressing high, forced an error that saw the ball spill free. Duran, alert as ever, pounced on the loose ball, beating goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and then delivering a precise cut‑back to James Forrest. Forrest met the ball with a powerful strike that found the back of the net, extending Celtic’s advantage to 2‑0 and putting the Scottish club in a comfortable position heading into the break.
The halftime whistle arrived with Celtic firmly in control, but the second half saw a flurry of substitutions from the Italian side, injecting fresh energy and intent. Just a minute after the restart, AC Milan began their comeback. Cameron Carter‑Vickers was adjudged to have fouled the young striker Francesco Camarda inside the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Camarda calmly converted the spot‑kick, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and reigniting Milan’s hopes. Only six minutes later, Camarda struck again, this time with his head. A well‑timed cross from the right flank, delivered by fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze, found Camarda’s running head, and the ball flew past the Celtic defence into the net. The equaliser, coming just moments after the penalty, completed a rapid double that stunned the home crowd and forced Celtic to settle for a draw.
The match also featured notable contributions from the bench. Celtic’s Thomas Hatton, a young substitute, made a lively cameo, curling a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani.
His energetic display provided a glimpse of the depth O’Neill has at his disposal for the upcoming season. Off the pitch, the evening carried additional significance for Celtic. Earlier in the day, cult favourite Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town, marking the end of his tenure at Celtic.
Despite the departure, the club’s focus remained on the upcoming Scottish Premiership campaign, where they will open their title defence against Dundee on August 3, a match slated for a 7.30 pm kickoff and broadcast live on Sky Sports. Speaking after the game, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill praised the overall quality of the pre‑season fixtures.
“In terms of pre‑season, I really enjoyed it. I thought we did some really good things in the game. We just lost our concentration after half‑time,” O’Neill admitted, acknowledging the lapse that allowed Milan to claw back into the match.
He also highlighted Duran’s impact, stating, “I think Camilo Duran is a really good player. If he steers clear of injury he’ll be a big asset to us.” O’Neill also emphasized the importance of giving younger players a platform, noting, “It would be nice to see some more of the young players, they’ve been with us in pre‑season. Tom Hatton did well to take players on, which is a dying art.
It’s really encouraging and there is a battle on to get into the side.” The 2‑2 result, while not the victory Celtic might have hoped for, offered several positives. Duran’s involvement in both goals demonstrated his versatility as both a finisher and a creator, suggesting he could become a cornerstone of O’Neill’s attacking plans.
The resilience shown by AC Milan, particularly the composure of teenage Camarda, provided a reminder that pre‑season matches can be unpredictable and that maintaining focus for the full ninety minutes is essential. Looking ahead, Celtic’s schedule promises a demanding start to the Scottish Premiership. The opening fixture against Dundee will be the first test of O’Neill’s revamped squad, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans and promising youngsters.
Fans can also look forward to the highly anticipated Old Firm clash later in the season, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of a historic weekend where all six top‑flight games are shown live for the first time. Beyond the immediate results, the match served as a showcase for the club’s broader strategy: integrating emerging talent, maintaining a high‑pressing, attacking philosophy, and ensuring depth across all positions. With the transfer window now closed and the squad settled, the focus will shift to fine‑tuning tactics, building chemistry, and preparing for the rigours of a title‑defending campaign. In summary, the pre‑season encounter delivered excitement, drama, and valuable lessons.
Duran’s goal and assist highlighted his growing influence, while the late goals from Camarda reminded Celtic of the need for sustained concentration. As the team transitions from friendly fixtures to competitive league action, the experiences gathered from matches like this will undoubtedly shape their approach and ambitions for the season ahead.