Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season programme with a lively 2‑2 draw against 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 escaped with a point.
From the first whistle, Celtic looked intent on imposing themselves on the Milan side. Their early dominance paid off when a careless back‑pass from AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic fell straight to Duran, who took advantage of the mistake with a composed left‑footed finish into the far corner of the net. That strike marked Duran’s third goal in as many pre‑season matches, underlining his growing importance to Martin O’Neill’s attacking plans.
The second Celtic goal emerged from a similar scenario – an error in the Milan defence. Luke McCowan pressed high, forcing an AC Milan player into a mis‑controlled ball.
Duran, quick to react, beat goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani to the loose ball and then delivered a precise cut‑back to James Forrest. Forrest, who had been lurking on the edge of the box, struck the ball cleanly, sending it screaming into the back of the net and giving Celtic a comfortable two‑goal cushion heading into the break. During the interval, AC Milan made a flurry of substitutions, injecting fresh legs and a more attacking mindset.
The changes paid immediate dividends. Just a minute after the restart, midfielder Cameron Carter‑Vickers appeared to pull down Francesco Camarda inside the penalty area.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Camarda calmly slotted the penalty home, reducing the deficit to one goal. Six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace. A well‑timed cross from the right flank, delivered by fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze, found Camarda in the box.
The youngster rose above the Celtic defence and met the ball with a powerful header that flew past the outstretched arms of the Celtic keeper, leveling the score at 2‑2. The quick response from Milan highlighted the depth of talent in their squad and the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the entire 90 minutes. Celtic also saw contributions from the bench.
Thomas Hatton, who entered the match as a substitute, provided a burst of energy on the wing. He cut inside and unleashed a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, before forcing a late‑stage save from Torriani, showcasing his potential as a future first‑team regular. In the post‑match interview, O’Neill praised his side’s overall performance but admitted the team slipped in focus after the interval. “Overall, the pre‑season has been enjoyable.
We executed several good moves during the game, but we lost a bit of concentration after half‑time,” he said. He also singled out Duran’s impact, noting, “Camilo Duran is a very good player. If he stays injury‑free, he’ll be a huge asset for us.” The manager added that the young players who featured in the friendly, such as Hatton, demonstrated the club’s commitment to developing home‑grown talent, a practice he described as “a dying art” but one that remains vital for Celtic’s future. The match also marked a bittersweet moment for Celtic fans, as club legend Daizen Maeda completed his transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town earlier that day.
While his departure was a loss, the team’s ability to compete against a top European side provided a positive note to end the pre‑season. Looking ahead, Celtic’s competitive season kicks off in the Scottish Premiership with a home fixture against Dundee on August 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The opening match, slated for a 7:30 pm kickoff, is part of an unprecedented weekend where all six top‑flight games will be shown live on the network, offering fans a comprehensive view of the league’s start.
Celtic supporters can follow the full schedule of Premiership fixtures, including the eagerly anticipated Old Firm clash later in the season, via the club’s official channels. Meanwhile, the club continues to engage fans with interactive promotions, such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool. In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan provided a useful test for Celtic’s squad ahead of the upcoming league campaign. Duran’s goal and assist highlighted his growing role, while the young substitutes demonstrated depth and promise.
Despite conceding two quick goals after the break, Celtic showed resilience and the capacity to bounce back, traits that will be essential as they embark on their title‑defence journey in Scotland.