Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic capped off their pre‑season itinerary with an engaging 2‑2 draw against Serie A side 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 erased Celtic’s advantage and ensured the match ended level.
From the outset, Duran demonstrated why he has become a key figure in Celtic’s attacking plans. He opened the scoring in the 12th minute, marking his third goal in as many games for the Glasgow club.
The opportunity arose after a mis‑judged back‑pass from Celtic defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped through the defensive line, allowing Duran to collect the ball just outside the penalty area. He calmly placed a left‑footed shot into the far corner, giving the visitors an early lead and setting the tone for a lively encounter.
Celtic’s second strike was a direct consequence of another defensive lapse on the part of Milan. Luke McCowan applied pressure high up the pitch, forcing an error that saw the Italian goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani scramble for the ball. Duran was quick to react, beating Torriani to the loose ball and then delivering a precise cut‑back to James Forrest, who unleashed a powerful finish that doubled Celtic’s lead. At that point, the Scottish side appeared comfortably in control as they headed into the break with a 2‑0 advantage.
The halftime interval, however, proved to be a turning point. AC Milan made a flurry of substitutions, injecting fresh energy into their ranks. Just one minute after the restart, the visitors began their comeback.
Francesco Camarda, who had been introduced as a substitute, earned a penalty when Cameron Carter‑Vickers was judged to have impeded him inside the box. Camarda stepped up without hesitation and slotted the spot‑kick home, reducing the deficit to one goal.
Only six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace. A well‑timed cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda at the edge of the area, and the young striker rose above the Celtic defence to meet the ball with a clean header. The goal restored parity and shifted the momentum firmly in Milan’s favour.
The match then entered a frenetic phase, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a decisive winner. Celtic’s bench also contributed to the spectacle.
Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, made a lively cameo, curling a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani. His energy highlighted the depth of Celtic’s squad and the willingness of younger players to make an impact during the pre‑season period. Off the pitch, the day was marked by a notable transfer development.
Daizen Maeda, a fan‑favorite at Celtic, completed his move to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town earlier that afternoon. The departure added an emotional undercurrent to the match, as supporters and teammates said their goodbyes to a player who had become a cult figure at Celtic Park. Manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance in the post‑match interview. He praised the team’s overall display, acknowledging the quality of the opposition and the positives that emerged from the game.
“In terms of pre‑season, I really enjoyed it. We did some really good things in the game,” O’Neill said.
“We just lost our concentration after half‑time.” He singled out Duran for particular commendation, noting his potential impact if he can stay injury‑free. “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 added. The manager also highlighted the importance of giving younger players opportunities.
“It would be nice to see some more of the young players, they’ve been with us in pre‑season. Thomas 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,” O’Neill explained, emphasizing the competitive environment within the squad. Looking ahead, Celtic’s focus now turns to the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign. The team will open their title defence on August 3 at home against Dundee, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The kickoff is scheduled for 7.30 pm, and the fixture is part of a historic opening weekend that will see all six top‑flight games shown live on Sky Sports for the first time.
Fans can check Celtic’s full Premiership schedule, including the date of the season’s first Old Firm clash, on the club’s official website. Beyond the immediate footballing narrative, the match also featured promotional content for Sky Sports, encouraging viewers to watch the game via the Sky Sports app and to download the app for a better viewing experience.
Additionally, there were calls to engage with other football news sections, such as Liverpool and Sunderland transfer updates, and a reminder to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan provided Celtic with a valuable test against high‑quality opposition, showcased the talents of emerging players, and highlighted the contributions of Camilo Duran, who remains a key figure in the club’s attacking arsenal. While the result was a draw, the performance offered plenty of optimism ahead of the upcoming season, with the team now eager to translate pre‑season lessons into competitive success in the Scottish Premiership.