Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic capped off their summer preparations with a lively 2‑2 draw against Italian giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic's goals, finding the net himself and setting up a second‑half strike, before a rapid response from Milan’s teenage prodigy Francesco Camarda ensured the visitors left the pitch without the full three points. From the opening whistle, Celtic looked intent on imposing themselves on the neutral venue.
Their early dominance was rewarded in the 12th minute when a misplaced back‑pass from Strahinja Pavlovic slipped straight to Duran. The forward took full advantage, slotting a precise left‑footed shot into the top corner, marking his third goal in as many pre‑season matches and giving the Glasgow side a comfortable lead.
The goal highlighted Duran’s growing confidence and his knack for being in the right place at the right time. Celtic’s second goal materialised just before the half‑time break, again stemming from an AC Milan defensive lapse. Luke McCowan pressed high, forcing Milan’s back line into a hurried clearance. Duran, already in a threatening position, pounced on the loose ball, beating goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and laying the ball off to James Forrest.
Forrest, who had been lurking on the edge of the box, unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the net, doubling Celtic’s advantage and seemingly putting the match out of reach for the visitors. The first half ended with the Scottish side in control, and the fans could already taste a victory. However, the second half saw a flurry of tactical changes from AC Milan’s bench, injecting fresh legs and a renewed sense of urgency. Within a minute of the restart, the Italian side pulled one back.
A challenge inside the penalty area on young forward Cameron Carter‑Vickers prompted the referee to point to the spot. Francesco Camarda, Milan’s 17‑year‑old sensation, stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, reducing the deficit and instantly shifting the momentum. 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 unmarked in the box. The teenager rose above the Celtic defenders and powered a header past the on‑looking goalkeeper, leveling the score at 2‑2. The rapid double from the teenager underscored Milan’s resilience and their ability to respond swiftly under pressure.
Celtic’s manager, Martin O’Neill, was quick to praise his side’s performance despite the disappointment of not securing a win. "In terms of pre‑season, I really enjoyed it. We did some really good things in the game," O’Neill said in the post‑match interview. He added that the team’s concentration slipped after the break, which proved costly.
"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 continued, emphasizing Duran’s potential to become a key figure in Celtic’s upcoming campaign. O’Neill also highlighted the importance of giving younger squad members a chance to prove themselves. "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," he remarked, acknowledging the competitive environment within the squad.
The match also featured a cameo from Celtic substitute Thomas Hatton, who injected energy into the attack with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani. While Hatton’s contribution didn’t alter the scoreline, it demonstrated the depth of options available to O’Neill as he fine‑tunes his lineup ahead of the domestic season. Off the pitch, Celtic fans were reminded of the club’s recent transfer activity.
Earlier in the day, cult favourite Daizen Maeda completed a move to Premier League side Ipswich Town, marking the end of his brief yet memorable stint at Celtic. The departure was noted by supporters but did not detract from the overall excitement surrounding the pre‑season fixtures.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s focus now turns to the start of the Scottish Premiership. The team will host Dundee on August 3 at Celtic Park, with the match slated for a 7:30 pm kickoff and broadcast live on Sky Sports. This opening fixture is part of a landmark opening weekend that will see all six top‑flight games streamed live on Sky for the first time, offering fans unprecedented access to the league’s action. In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan provided Celtic with a valuable test of their attacking options and defensive organization.
Duran’s dual contribution highlighted his growing influence, while the quick response from Milan’s youngsters showcased the unpredictable nature of pre‑season football. O’Neill’s comments reflect a balanced view: optimism about the progress made, coupled with an awareness of areas needing refinement before the competitive season begins.
The upcoming league opener against Dundee will be the first real measure of how well the team has integrated these lessons and whether the promising signs from the summer will translate into sustained success on the domestic front.