Camilo Duran once again demonstrated his quality during Celtic's final pre‑season fixture, a lively 2‑2 draw with Serie A giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals, finding the net himself and then setting up a teammate, before a rapid double from teenage striker Francesco Camarda turned the match into a draw. The opening stage of the encounter saw Duran on the scoresheet for the third consecutive game of the tour. A careless back‑pass from Celtic defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped into the path of the attacker, allowing him to slot a left‑footed finish into the top corner.
That early strike gave the visitors a comfortable lead and highlighted the danger Duran poses when given space in the final third. Celtic’s second goal was the product of another defensive lapse on the Milan side. Luke McCowan applied pressure on the Italian back line, forcing an error that saw the ball fall to Duran again. This time the forward raced onto the loose ball, out‑muscled goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and then delivered a precise cut‑back to James Forrest, who hammered the ball home with a powerful finish.
By the half‑time whistle Celtic were comfortably ahead, enjoying a two‑goal cushion. The second half, however, unfolded very differently. After a flurry of substitutions by the Italian coach, AC Milan began to press with renewed vigor.
Just a minute after the restart, a penalty was awarded when Cameron Carter‑Vickers was judged to have impeded Francesco Camarda inside the box. Camarda stepped up without hesitation and converted from the spot, reducing the deficit to a single goal. Only six minutes later Camarda struck again, this time with his head. A well‑timed cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda in the penalty area, and the youngster rose above the defence to direct a powerful header past the Celtic keeper, leveling the score at 2‑2.
The rapid response left Celtic with little time to regroup before the final whistle. Celtic also saw contributions from the bench. Thomas Hatton, who came on as a substitute, provided an energetic cameo, curling a shot that forced a late save from Torriani. Although his effort went wide, it underscored the depth of options Celtic have at their disposal as they head into the new season.
In the post‑match press conference, manager Martin O'Neill reflected on the performance. He praised the pre‑season as a valuable learning experience, noting that the team had executed several good moves but lost concentration after the interval. O'Neill singled out Duran, calling him "a really good player" and suggesting that, if he remains injury‑free, he could become a significant asset for the club. He also highlighted the importance of giving younger squad members minutes, mentioning Thomas Hatton’s work rate as an example of a fading but still valuable skill – the art of taking players on.
The match also marked a bittersweet moment for Celtic fans, as cult hero Daizen Maeda completed his transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town earlier in the day. While the club celebrated the successful departure of a fan favourite, they were left to settle for a draw against a high‑profile opponent. Looking ahead, Celtic will kick off their Scottish Premiership title defence on August 3, hosting Dundee at Celtic Park. The fixture, scheduled for a 7.30 pm kickoff, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of an unprecedented opening weekend where all six top‑flight games are shown on the network.
Supporters can follow the full schedule, including the season's first Old Firm clash, through Celtic’s official channels. Beyond the on‑field action, the pre‑season tour has offered fans a chance to engage with the club through various media.
Sky Sports encourages viewers to watch the match replay via its app, and the network also promotes related content such as Liverpool and Sunderland transfer news. For those interested in interactive experiences, a Super 6 competition is available, offering a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
In summary, the friendly against AC Milan provided a vivid illustration of Celtic’s attacking potential, with Duran’s goal and assist standing out as the key highlights. While defensive lapses allowed Milan to claw back two quick goals, the match served as a useful gauge of the squad’s readiness for the upcoming campaign.
The manager’s optimism, coupled with the promising performances of both established stars and emerging talents, suggests that Celtic are poised to mount a serious challenge for the Scottish Premiership crown this season.