Camilo Duran once again demonstrated why he is fast becoming a fan favourite, guiding Celtic to an entertaining 2‑2 draw against AC Milan in the final friendly of their pre‑season campaign. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both of Celtic's opening goals, finding the net himself and then setting up a teammate, before Milan’s teenage striker Francesco Camarda produced a rapid brace that ultimately denied the visitors a win.
The match began with Celtic on the front foot. In the early stages, Duran capitalized on a defensive lapse when Strahinja Pavlovic attempted a back‑pass that went awry. Seizing the opportunity, Duran slipped the ball into the box and, with a calm left‑footed finish, tucked it into the far corner, giving Celtic an early 1‑0 lead. It was Duran’s third goal in as many games, a run of form that has sparked optimism among the Celtic faithful about his potential impact once the season proper begins.
Just minutes later, Celtic doubled their advantage thanks to another mistake in the Milan defence. Luke McCowan applied relentless pressure on the Italian back line, forcing a mis‑control that saw the ball fall to Duran again. This time the forward raced past goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, retrieved the loose ball and delivered a precise cut‑back to James Forrest. Forrest, who had been lurking on the edge of the area, struck the ball with power and accuracy, sending it into the net for a emphatic second goal.
By halftime Celtic were comfortably ahead, enjoying the rhythm of a side that had been fine‑tuning its attacking patterns throughout the summer. The second half, however, brought a flurry of changes from the Milan bench, and the Italian side quickly responded. Just a minute after the restart, a penalty was awarded when Cameron Carter‑Vickers appeared to bring Camarda down inside the box. Camarda, a promising youngster, stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick past the Celtic goalkeeper, reducing the deficit to 2‑1.
The goal injected fresh belief into the Milan ranks and signalled that the game was far from over. Six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace in spectacular fashion. A well‑timed cross from the right, delivered by fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze, found Camarda’s head, and the striker powered the ball home with a clinical finish.
The equaliser restored parity at 2‑2 and highlighted Milan’s resilience and the depth of their squad, even in a friendly setting. Celtic’s substitutes also made their mark. Thomas Hatton, who entered the fray later in the match, provided a lively cameo, unleashing a curling effort that forced a crucial save from Torriani. Though his shot drifted wide of the post, Hatton’s energy and willingness to take on defenders underscored the manager’s emphasis on giving younger players meaningful minutes during the pre‑season.
After the final whistle, Martin O'Neill reflected on the performance. "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," the Celtic boss admitted. He went on to praise Duran, saying, "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 highlighted the importance of integrating academy graduates, 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 match also carried a bittersweet note for Celtic supporters, as cult hero Daizen Maeda completed his transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town earlier in the day. While his departure was a loss, the club’s focus remains on building a squad capable of defending the Scottish Premiership title.
Looking ahead, Celtic will kick off their domestic campaign on August 3 with a home fixture against Dundee, a match 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 also keep an eye on the upcoming Old Firm clash, a marquee encounter that traditionally sets the tone for the season. Beyond the immediate footballing narrative, the pre‑season friendly served as a platform for broader engagement.
Sky Sports promoted its app, encouraging viewers to watch the action on mobile devices, and highlighted additional content such as Liverpool and Sunderland transfer news. The club also ran a promotional Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £250,000, further enhancing fan interaction during the build‑up to the new season. In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan provided Celtic with valuable insights into their attacking options, defensive solidity, and the depth of their squad. Duran’s double contribution, the emergence of youngsters like Hatton, and the tactical adjustments made by O'Neill will all play a part as the team prepares for the challenges of defending their Scottish Premiership crown.
The match may have ended in a stalemate, but the lessons learned and the confidence gained will undoubtedly shape Celtic’s approach as they embark on the upcoming campaign.