Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic wrapped up their pre‑season schedule with a lively 2‑2 stalemate against Serie A side AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both of Celtic’s goals, finding the back of the net himself and setting up a second‑half strike, before a rapid double from teenage Italian talent Francesco Camarda turned the tide and ensured the visitors left with only a point.
From the opening whistle, Celtic looked intent on imposing themselves on the neutral venue. Their first breakthrough came courtesy of a defensive lapse from AC Milan’s centre‑back Strahinja Pavlovic, who attempted an ill‑judged back pass that fell straight to Duran.
The forward, displaying composure beyond his years, slotted a left‑footed shot into the far corner, marking his third goal in as many pre‑season matches and giving Celtic an early advantage. The second Celtic goal was born from a similar mistake, this time engineered by the relentless pressure of Luke McCowan.
McCowan’s closing down forced an AC Milan defender into an errant clearance, allowing Duran to pounce on the loose ball. He beat goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani with a quick touch, then delivered a precise cut‑back to James Forrest, who unleashed a powerful strike that doubled Celtic’s lead and sent the home fans into a brief celebration. Celtic entered the break in a comfortable position, having built a two‑goal cushion. However, the second half saw AC Milan make a flurry of tactical substitutions, injecting fresh energy into their ranks.
The changes paid dividends almost immediately. Just a minute after the restart, the Italians were awarded a penalty when Cameron Carter‑Vickers appeared to bring down a young forward in the box. Francesco Camarda stepped up without hesitation, converting from the spot to reduce the deficit.
Six minutes later, Camarda added a second goal, this time with his head. A well‑timed cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda at the edge of the area, and the teenager rose above the Celtic defence to direct a pinpoint header past the on‑looking Torriani, leveling the score at 2‑2.
Celtic’s bench also contributed to the spectacle. Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, displayed a burst of energy, curling a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late‑stage save from the Milan keeper.
His cameo illustrated the depth of options that manager Martin O'Neill has at his disposal heading into the new campaign. In the post‑match interview, O'Neill reflected on the performance, acknowledging the positives while lamenting the loss of focus after the interval. "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," he admitted.
He praised Duran, calling him "a really good player" and emphasising the importance of keeping him injury‑free: "If he steers clear of injury he'll be a big asset to us." O'Neill also highlighted the value of giving younger squad members a chance, noting that Thomas Hatton’s involvement was a reminder of a "dying art" – the willingness of senior players to mentor and guide emerging talent. The match also marked a bittersweet moment for Celtic supporters, as club legend Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town earlier in the day. While the departure was a loss, the team’s overall performance suggested that the squad is capable of adapting and evolving.
Looking ahead, Celtic will kick off their Scottish Premiership title defence at home against Dundee on August 3, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The opening weekend promises to be historic, with all six top‑flight games scheduled for live coverage on the network for the first time.
Fans can follow Celtic’s full schedule, including the highly anticipated Old Firm clash, through the club’s official channels. Beyond the immediate results, the pre‑season encounter offered valuable insights into tactical flexibility, player fitness, and the integration of new signings.
Duran’s dual contribution underscores his growing importance in O'Neill’s attacking blueprint, while the young Italian duo of Camarda and Chukwueze demonstrated that AC Milan possess a reservoir of youthful talent capable of influencing high‑stakes matches. The match also highlighted the importance of set‑piece execution and defensive organisation. Celtic’s early goals were born from opponent errors, whereas Milan’s comeback hinged on capitalising on a penalty and a well‑delivered cross.
Both sides will likely review these moments in training to fine‑tune their defensive structures and improve conversion rates from dead‑ball situations. In summary, the 2‑2 draw provided an entertaining showcase of skill, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of football. While Celtic missed out on a win, the performance of Camilo Duran, the emergence of Thomas Hatton, and the overall team cohesion suggest a promising season ahead. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s ability to respond swiftly after the break signals a squad ready to compete at the highest level.
Fans can look forward to a thrilling campaign as both clubs embark on their respective domestic challenges, with Celtic aiming to defend their Scottish crown and Milan preparing for another Serie A push.