Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic capped off their pre‑season itinerary with a lively 2‑2 draw against Italian giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals, scoring once and setting up another, before a swift response from the visitors erased the advantage and forced a point‑share. From the first whistle, Celtic looked intent on imposing themselves on the neutral ground. Their early dominance paid dividends in the 15th minute when a careless back‑pass from AC Milan centre‑back Strahinja Pavlovic slipped through the defensive line.
Duran, lurking just outside the box, pounced on the loose ball and curled a left‑footed shot into the top corner, giving the Scottish side a deserved lead. It was his third goal in as many pre‑season matches, a run that has quickly turned him into a fan favourite and a potential key player for the upcoming league campaign. The second Celtic goal arrived only moments later, this time as a direct result of relentless pressing. Midfielder Luke McCowan closed down Milan’s defensive midfielder, forcing an errant touch that saw the ball ricochet toward the penalty area.
Duran, displaying sharp anticipation, beat goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani to the rebound and laid the ball off to James Forrest. Forrest, who had been drifting wide on the left, cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the net, extending Celtic’s lead to 2‑0. The quick succession of goals highlighted Celtic’s attacking fluidity and the effectiveness of their high‑press strategy. At the interval, the home side enjoyed a comfortable cushion, but the break saw AC Milan make a flurry of tactical changes.
The Italian side introduced fresh legs, most notably teenage prodigy Francesco Camarda, who would soon make a decisive impact. Just a minute after the restart, Camarda earned a penalty when Cameron Carter‑Vickers was judged to have impeded him inside the box. The youngster stepped up with composure beyond his years and slotted the spot‑kick past the Celtic keeper, reducing the deficit to 2‑1.
Only six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace. A well‑timed cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda’s head inside the six‑yard box, and the teenager powered a precise header into the back of the net, leveling the score at 2‑2.
The rapid turnaround stunned Celtic, who had seemed in control just moments before, and underscored the importance of maintaining concentration throughout the full 90 minutes. Celtic’s bench also saw notable contributions. Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, provided a burst of energy on the wing.
He attempted a curling effort that drifted just wide of the post before forcing a reflex save from Torriani, demonstrating his willingness to take on defenders and create chances. Hatton’s cameo, while not yielding a goal, added a valuable dimension to Celtic’s attacking options and gave the manager a glimpse of his potential role in the regular season. Manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the performance in the post‑match interview. He praised the team’s overall display, noting that “pre‑season is about building confidence and testing ideas, and I think we did a lot of good things today.” However, he also admitted that the squad’s focus slipped after the break, allowing Milan to claw back into the game.
O’Neill singled out Duran for special commendation, saying, “Camilo is a very talented player. If he stays fit, he will be a huge asset for us.” The manager also highlighted the importance of giving younger players, like Thomas Hatton, meaningful minutes, describing their involvement as “a dying art” that he hopes to revive. Beyond the on‑field action, the match marked a bittersweet moment for Celtic fans.
Earlier in the day, cult hero Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town, ending his stint at Celtic. The departure added an emotional undercurrent to the pre‑season finale, as supporters said farewell to a player who had become a beloved figure at Celtic Park.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s focus now shifts to the start of the Scottish Premiership. Their first competitive fixture will be a home showdown against Dundee on August 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match, set to kick off at 7.30 pm, will be part of a historic opening weekend that sees all six top‑flight games streamed live on Sky for the first time. Fans can view the full schedule, including the eagerly anticipated Old Firm clash later in the season, through Celtic’s official channels.
In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan offered a mixed bag of optimism and caution for Celtic. Duran’s goal and assist highlighted his growing influence, while the swift response from Milan served as a reminder that defensive lapses can be costly. The performances of young talents like Camarda, Chukwueze, and Hatton provided encouraging signs for the squad’s depth.
As the team transitions from pre‑season friendlies to competitive league action, maintaining concentration, sharpening defensive organization, and integrating emerging players will be crucial for a successful title defence. For fans eager to stay updated, the Sky Sports app offers live streaming of upcoming fixtures, and the club’s website provides regular news on transfers, match reports, and exclusive content. Additionally, supporters can participate in promotional events such as the Super 6 competition, where entrants have a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.