Camilo Duran once again stole the spotlight as Celtic concluded their pre‑season itinerary with a lively 2‑2 stalemate against Serie A giants AC Milan. The Colombian forward was directly involved in both Celtic’s opening goals, finding the back of the net and then delivering a decisive pass, before a burst of energy from Milan’s teenage prodigy Francesco Camarda turned the match into a draw. From the first whistle, Celtic appeared the more assertive side.
Duran opened the scoring in the 12th minute, marking his third goal in as many pre‑season fixtures. The opportunity arose after a mis‑judged back‑pass from Celtic defender Strahinja Pavlovic slipped to Duran, who calmly slotted a left‑footed finish into the far corner.
The early lead gave the Scottish club a comfortable platform and seemed to set the tone for the rest of the first half. Celtic’s second strike was born from another defensive lapse on the Milan side. Luke McCowan pressed high, forcing Milan defender to mishandle the ball. Duran, ever alert, pounced on the loose ball, beating goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani and then laying the ball off to James Forrest.
Forrest, with a powerful drive, doubled Celtic’s advantage, sending the home crowd into a brief frenzy. At the interval, the score stood at 2‑0, and Celtic appeared in control of the encounter.
The second half, however, saw a shift in momentum. Milan made a flurry of substitutions, injecting fresh legs and a more attacking mindset.
Just a minute after the restart, Francesco Camarda, only 17 years old, made his presence felt. After a challenge inside the penalty area on Cameron Carter‑Vickers, the referee pointed to the spot. Camarda stepped up and calmly converted, reducing the deficit to 2‑1 and reigniting Milan’s hopes.
Six minutes later, Camarda completed his brace. A precise cross from fellow substitute Samuel Chukwueze found Camarda’s head, and the teenager powered the ball into the net, leveling the score at 2‑2.
The equaliser came as a shock to Celtic, who had been confident of a win after their first‑half dominance. The goal also highlighted Milan’s ability to adapt quickly, using the pace and technical skill of their young players to turn the tide.
Celtic’s bench also contributed to the spectacle. Thomas Hatton, a promising youngster, entered the fray and produced a lively cameo.
He curled a shot that narrowly missed the target before forcing a late save from Torriani, demonstrating the depth of talent Celtic have at their disposal. Hatton’s performance, although brief, underscored the manager’s emphasis on giving younger squad members valuable game time in preparation for the upcoming season. Manager Martin O’Neill reflected on the match in the post‑game interview.
He praised the team’s overall performance, noting the quality of the pre‑season fixtures and the learning moments they provided. "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," O’Neill said.
He singled out Duran as a key asset, adding, "I think Camilo Duran is a really good player. If he steers clear of injury he'll be a big asset to us." The manager also highlighted the importance of integrating youth, mentioning that players like Thomas Hatton had shown encouraging signs, and that the club’s tradition of nurturing home‑grown talent remains alive despite the modern game’s challenges. The match also carried off‑field significance.
Earlier in the day, Celtic’s cult hero Daizen Maeda completed a transfer to Premier League side Ipswich Town, marking the end of an era for the Japanese forward at Celtic. While the departure was bittersweet for fans, the team’s focus remained on the collective effort displayed during the friendly.
Looking ahead, Celtic’s pre‑season will culminate with the start of the Scottish Premiership campaign. The club will host Dundee on August 3 at Celtic Park, a fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The opening weekend promises to be historic, as all six top‑flight matches will be shown live on the network for the first time, offering fans unprecedented access to the league’s kickoff. Beyond the immediate match report, the friendly highlighted several broader themes for Celtic’s upcoming season. First, the importance of defensive solidity was evident; both Pavlovic’s errant back‑pass and a lapse in Milan’s back line led directly to goals.
Second, the attacking versatility of Duran—capable of scoring and creating—offers O’Neill a valuable tool in a league where goals can be scarce. Third, the emergence of young talents like Camarda and Hatton suggests a bright future for both clubs, emphasizing the role of youth development in modern football.
Fans eager for more Celtic content can follow the club’s official channels for updates on fixtures, transfers, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes footage. The Sky Sports app provides live streaming of matches, while the club’s website offers detailed match reports and player interviews. As the season approaches, Celtic supporters will be watching closely to see how the lessons learned in this pre‑season encounter translate into competitive success in the Scottish Premiership.
In summary, the 2‑2 draw against AC Milan was a fitting finale to Celtic’s pre‑season, showcasing attacking flair, youthful promise, and areas for improvement. While the result was not a win, the performance gave the manager and fans plenty to analyse and build upon as the club prepares to defend its league title.