Newcastle’s first major test of a busy pre-season programme as Eddie Howe’s Mags took on Celtic in the Adidas Trophy on Saturday afternoon.
Backed by an incredible 10,000 strong following in the Celtic Park away end, we saw Anthony Elanga make his first non-competitive appearance, moments of promise from Will Osula and an eye-catching cameo from Alex Murphy, but not much else as the Scottish Champions romped to a 4-0 win.
It’s pre-season and this was Celtic’s fifth friendly of the summer, but it was a display that highlighted a few weak areas we are yet to address in an increasingly frustrating summer window, with a goalkeeping error, a lack of pace at the back and poor finishing without Isak a theme.
First half XI: Pope – Trippier, Botman, Schar, Targett – Miley, Guimaraes, Willock – Murphy, Osula, Barnes.
Second half XI: Dubravka – Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, A Murphy – Miley, Tonali, White – Gordon, Osula, Elanga.
Unused Subs: Ashby, Ruddy, Munda.
Celtic XI: Schmeichel, Inamura, Trusty, Murray, Ralston, McCowan, McGregor, Engels, Maeda, Yang, Kenny.
First half: Celtic 2-0 Newcastle
Newcastle started positively with a clear intention to press from the front, with Barnes, Osula, Murphy and our midfield three all attempting to force early Celtic errors.
Osula headed over and saw a snapshot saved by Schmeichel, Schar volleyed over and Bruno also shot wide after taking aim from range. We’d played OK without creating a great deal, with our final ball from wide areas often lacking.
However, it was Celtic who took the lead. Moments after a superb close range save from Pope to stop Schar putting through his own net, a Willock trip handed the home side a penalty that Engels converted on 28 minutes, sending Pope the wrong way.
Osula’s pace and willingness to break quickly was eye-catching and got Celtic’s Trusty in the book on 34 minutes, with the defender taking out the Dane just as he threatened to burst through on goal.
Bruno’s was typically combative and a class above most, winning fouls and dictating the play, although Celtic did look a threat on the break as our lack of pace at the back left us vulnerable without the athletic Tonali and Tino.
Celtic exposed this once again on 38 minutes. Yang left Targett for dead down our left and his cut-back was somehow missed by Engels, with Pope’s pressure doing enough to off-put him from making it 2-0. We already knew our back line was missing an athletic, right-sided centre-back, so this may have served as a timely reminder.
At the other end, Osula was a pest once again and broke into the box from Schar’s through ball. He rounded the keeper but saw his cut-back cleared. Schar had another effort in the box moments earlier, only this one was blocked en route to goal.
Celtic then made it 2-0 right on half time and it was a shocker from Pope. Schar called for offside from Schmeichel’s long ball as Kenny ran in behind, but he was handed an open goal after Pope got his attempt to head clear all wrong.
I give up ffs… pic.twitter.com/0H15tVoG4E https://t.co/J4eDJlarq0
— Adam. (@adamnufc_) July 19, 2025
Second-half: Celtic 4-0 Newcastle
Howe made NINE changes at the break, with Osula and Miley the only two who started the game to stay on the pitch after a poor first half.
Elanga, Gordon, White, Lascelles, Krafth, Burn, Dubravka, Tonali and Alex Murphy all came on and both wide men made an impact, immediately looking sharp down either flank.
Alex Murphy created the first opening, however, as his cross found Osula in the box, only for Schmeichel to smother the Dane’s effort. He kept his effort on target, but should’ve scored, really.
Elanga’s pace and directness offered and instant threat, as he whipped in a good ball that almost found Osula before Celtic caught us out at the other end (again) to make it 3-0. Another fast break, only this time it was the unmarked Yang who fired past Dubravka at the back post as Krafth failed to stop the cross and Lascelles was dragged out of position.
A Lascelles mistake led to a corner as Dubravka palmed a long shot wide, and we conceded again from the next Celtic attack. Tierney beat Tonali to the ball before crossing and Scales got above Murphy to head home. 4-0.
He was partly at fault for the goal after being beaten to the header, but Murphy’s cameo was a promising one in parts, as the left-sided Irishman created one big chance, looked comfortable on the ball and certainly didn’t hide.
Two more changes followed, as U21 talents Travis Hernes and Sean Neave replaced Miley and Osula with 15 minutes to play, leaving John Ruddy, Harrison Ashby and Anthony Munda as the only unused substitutes. Miley made little impact in a quiet display and fellow midfielder White didn’t take his chance in a timid second half display.
The final act of note saw Neave almost score in added time, but his header from Krafth’s superb cross was kept out by Schmeichel.
Who was missing?
Alexander Isak and Joelinton missed out to ‘manage minutes’ over pre-season, which is hopefully nothing more sinister for our star Swede after recent links to Liverpool and Al-Hilal.
Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento weren’t involved. The former is stepping up his recovery from foot surgery, while Tino has been given extended leave after a busy June at the U21 Euros.
Antonio Cordero was also absent, as expected, as the club work on a loan move for the Spaniard, with Ajax heavily linked, while U21 talents such as Leo Shahar and Trevan Sanusi weren’t involved despite being part of pre-season training.
Next up, (hopefully a few new signings!) a trip to Singapore next week as we begin our pre-season tour of Asia with a game against Arsenal next Sunday.
HWTL.
I know it’s only a friendly but 4-0 for god sake – that’s a good hiding that!!.
There would still be fans paid to travel and watch that guff & the likes of Gilly paying to watch the stream if it.
I’m not going to suggest it’s worrying coz it’s a warm up game – but things certainly aren’t going to plan this summer are they?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Awful to be honest. Mind,Celtic seemed intent on trying to injure our players. Not much friendly about it. Alex Murphy looked very good and I thought white was canny too. Pope was shocking. Yes it’s the first preseason game but that was awful judgement.
We are so desperate for some quality reinforcements. Arsenal will tear us apart.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
First friendly, Celtic much further on in prep. It means nowt. Fans travelling know this, a few of my mates included, they were just glad to have the craic and a few drinks back going to a match. The only thing that matters is being ready for villa. If we lose every pre season game 4 -0 and have a good PL start then fantastic
East stand(Quote)
Pre season friendly or not that was a hard watch, bar Joelinton, Isak, Tino and Hall we were playing almost full strength and that was absolutely appalling, your supposed to win all your pre season friendlies to show that your ready for the season ahead, I saw none of that today a lot of them still in Ibiza.
MickToon89(Quote)
Yes it was a “friendly” but our weaknesses were well and truly exposed.
The final home game against Everton showed exactly the reason why we needed to strengthen and Howe knows it, the captain Bruno knows it.
What are we doing, a lot of very little and that’s the worry.
Joseph(Quote)
Not ashamed to admit I actually fell asleep for ten minutes in the second half, not a great start! That being said Celtic are much further into their pre season, and at least most of our players put a shift in even if it was headless chicken running. Celtic probably up for it with all our travelling fans hence them taking it seriously, it’s not a huge surprise apart from maybe to our star YouTubers giving it the big one. All that being said I don’t want Arsenal walking over us!
Newkie(Quote)
We gifted them at least 2. The first two. After that we were chasing the game. This talk about Isak being sent home is concerning. Is his head getting turned? I hope not. But we are slow at everything now, including a new deal for Isak.
Since Amanda Stavely left there’s been little communication and slow to do anything at all. Still no CEO and still no sporting director. How many months now? Pathetic really. I’m not impressed
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – quite right. Obviously I’m buzzing Ashley left and we have spent money, built a great side, had amazing success for the first time in forever. But I can’t help but feel most of that is just down to Howe and the players and some good fortune. Communication and just the general pace of change has been pathetic really, PIF seem to be throwing money at every club in the world and fine whatever it’s their money, but what is the actual plan, where is the leadership?
Newkie(Quote)
Very worrying Newkie!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Cr*p window so far. Elanga aside it’s been poor. No communication from club re new stadium, into a new window with no DOF or CEO in place . Now Isak sent home rather than sit in stand supporting team mates. What’s that all about? So what if people ask him if he’s staying, all he has to do is say yes, how is that so difficult unless………
kimtoon(Quote)
If Isak is going to go, then I hope it’s to Saudi for £200m ish. Not to Liverpool or Arsenal. Or any other PL club for that matter. With a massive fee we can replace him. We found him, we will find another.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Agree, I am so over it now mate.
kimtoon(Quote)
Keith Downie saying he can understand Eddie sending Isak home if he’s just gonna sit in the stands with Joelinton – what would he gain from that?!.
I don’t really care what Isak gains from it. He gains £120k a week from it. What it would have shown though is unity and him supporting his teammates that were out there getting a good hiding today.
Sending him home confirms these rumours are causing unrest. Is that to the point of him wanting out?! – well if it’s not the rumours it’ll probably be the lack of recruitment!!.
Eddie must be sick AF of this now!!. A second summer where he’s having to fill in as sporting director coz we let Ashworth go and brought Mitchell in half way through.
I think we probably forget Howe needs a break too – he needs time with his family too!!.
It’s pathetic they didn’t have Eales replacement ready to go, working alongside him for a few months to get up to speed with his things operate.
It’s ridiculous they haven’t just promoted Steve Nickson to director of football – he worked alongside Ashworth on deals like Bruno & Tonali and has the confidence of Howe already.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gilly Toon:-
If we sell Isak to the Saudi’s for £200m it will be scrutinised as was St Max, so it’s not as easy as that, and deemed unfair.
I would never ever sell him to Liverpool now because of the way they have behaved, they haven’t even made a formal offer.
Joseph(Quote)
Let them scrutinise all they like, Saudi’s have been spending stupid money on players and Isak is easy £150k plus in Value. The PL is restricting trade, about time clubs got together and took them to court. I am beyond effed off with it now.
kimtoon(Quote)
I also don’t understand our stance with transfers either. Why can’t we say at the outset to selling clubs and players agents that if news of the bid/negotiations leak from their end we will walk away as will not get involved in a bidding war. If clubs started taking that stance there would be less of this ****.
Only people making money are agents as a player with half a brain could negotiate himself a decent wage/contract.
kimtoon(Quote)
If Jackson at Chelsea is valued at £100m 😂😂😂😂, then Isak is easily £200m. Stupid money, absolutely stupid, but that’s football these days 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And whilst I am on a rant, getting really effed off with everyone talking about Isak being key to us getting anywhere. Lads in the dressing room must be loving hearing that from press and fans.
No player is bigger than the club and whilst I would love to keep him, if he wants out let him go. Yes we may crash out the CL at the first hurdle but we cannot be held hostage to players or other clubs. It will prove detrimental to team spirit if this drags on.
Furious with our owners letting this develop into such a circus .
kimtoon(Quote)
Exactly mate and don’t forget Grealish went for £100m and Mbeumo just went for £70m , Pool spending £89m for baby Isak. And remember Isak is the so say hottest property in town right now.
They can bang on about fair market price all they like but the truth is a club can place what value it wants on their star player especially if losing that player can result in long term financial loss . Potentially exiting the CL early, loss of income due to not qualifying for CL again due to losing an unreplaceable (right now) striker.
If you put your house on the market, you get what you can for it, not what some knob in a suit tells you is ‘ fair ‘.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gilly , I know you saw the match yesterday, what did you think of Alex Murphy mate ? Seeing good things about him online.
kimtoon(Quote)
Just popped out from under the duvet where I spend most of the ‘Transfer Window’ which I hate with a passion! Its where truth and honesty are forgotten and are replaced with ‘greed’ misinformation and down right ‘drivel’
Having said that I agree with all that the previous posts have said.
We are not allowed too match the ‘Big Sick’ (that is the correct spelling)with their big bucks and stupid contacts. All we have too offer is our ‘plan’ and ‘dream’ if you like which I think most of the squad do. Which brings me to Isak and its only my observations His body language at times like on the cup victory bus he looked like he didn’t want to be there, his performances in the last games of the season. If he is committed too the team why does he not shout it from the roof tops ‘I would’ It may just be his nature but it would go some way too curbing this endless drivel. Well back to hiding under the duvet.
nutmag(Quote)
We could put Isak up for sale at £150m and if Liverpool or any other club bite then a Saudi club can start a bidding war with them until the price is raised to £200m.
Nothing could then be under scrutiny.
sidekick(Quote)
Yes this.
kimtoon(Quote)
So Chelsea can raise money however they like, get fined and go on to be champions of the world.
Man Utd can be 5 mins away from being bankrupt but go spend £140m on 2 players.
City are STILL waiting for the outcome of their investigations – but sign a BILLION pound deal with Puma.
These clubs can wait for us to do all the negotiation of a deal then step in last minute and say we will pay an extra £10m and pay the player an extra £50k a week over 8 years.
Football has NEVER been less fair imo and the rest of the needs to kick up about this or just sack it off – spend what they want and let the league do what they want.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Amen to that
kimtoon(Quote)
I thought he was excellent Kim! Very impressed
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We know GK and RCB are needed and Trafford is becoming a problem. Not sure what, if anything, is happening around Scalvini. But why not just contact Benfica and Buy Trubin and Silva. £80m job done.
As to the midfield, depends on if we still have hopes for Miley.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Don’t be daft Prem, that’s far too easy to do 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
That’s great, others have said the same, that’s one positive anyway.
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t mind the links to Kolo Muani to be fair – he was on loan at Juve last season – I wonder if we could arrange a loan to buy deal for him.
Loan for £10m this season with a buy of £40-50m next summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, are Man utd not also interested in him ? Also Juve want to loan him another year apparently. Think it’s a no goer .
kimtoon(Quote)
Is Calvert Lewin still available?? 🙄
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://ketsbaias.co.uk/longreads/what-is-the-point-of-pif/
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I’ve defended PIF a lot since the take over. People were slagging off their sponsorship of the CWC and I tried to rationalise that too.
But the latest I hear is that they are in takes to sponsor SPURS ground????.
There needs to be a greater focus on our club!! On taking on the PL about stupid PSR rules and calling out of others clubs still waiting on punishments.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why are we not utilising super agent Ali Barat like, Liverpool, Man utd and Chelsea have ?
kimtoon(Quote)
You know what Sharpy, I totally get that we are a small cog in their investment wheelhouse and that our purchase was to help them going forward in all sports. And if they are not inclined to invest in us as much as they initially did with stadia, training ground and sponsers that’s their prerogative . What’s irks me is the massive influx of cash into Chelsea via the wcc which helped pay off their fine with a bit left over for transfers and the now links to the Spurs ground ! What the h ell is that all about ? financially helping our competitors is baffling to me , or is it all part of making friends with view to their 2030 vision? Who knows what they are thinking ,
kimtoon(Quote)
So according to journalists, Isak is now demanding £300k a week to sign a new contract. He still has three years on his existing one. I’d make him sit on the bench and get a new striker in if that’s true.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
He wouldn’t get that at Liverpool mate, so he’s in dreamland if he thinks he’ll get it at the Toon. It would also cause unrest with other big players too down the line. The more big wages we pay the more PSR issues we’ll face. He was supposed to of bought into the project and should understand our finances won’t allow that. IF and it’s a big if, this is true then he needs to man up and put in a transfer request .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I don’t think it has anything to do with agents and more to do with us sticking so strictly to a transfer valuation & more so our wage structure.
The transfer valuation I can accept coz 1. we need 4 or 5 good players through the door & over by just £5-10m on each of those could have us back in PSR trouble before we knew it. 2. I can’t say I’d value the players we’ve went after as high as they’ve gone for either 🤷🏼♂️ – I mean Trafford at £40m, Mbeumo at over £70m and now Ekitike close to £80m 🤯.
But if reports are right, both Mbeumo and Ekitike will be on wages of £250k pw or more – and we just can’t compete with that 🤷🏼♂️ … and that is bad not just trying to sign these boys, but also trying to pin down Isak – who is currently on less than half that, and our highest paid player on £100k less than that.
Isaks agent will no doubt be making the case to NUFC that there is an £80m player dubbed ‘baby Isak’ getting £250k – so the real deal who we are valuing over £150m MUST earn more than that!!.
It’s a truly impossible position we find ourselves in and has been completely manufactured by the PL and ‘big six’ when the Saudis came in to ensure there places were not in danger.
Forget lining the pockets of other clubs, I want PIF to kick up a real stink!!. They are a mega rich Country!! They should be at our government saying you want to trade with us – you better be looking into this carry on!! Richard Masters needs shifting.
I’m not saying bribery to give us an advantage – just use their clout to make things fairer is all 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A fair deal would be to give Isak parity with the top earner with his contract being extended for another 2 years and the option for a further year.
sidekick(Quote)
The trouble is I get it with Isak – I don’t particularly like it, but I get it.
He’s looking at the wages baby Isak is about to get at Liverpool – a club who reportedly wanted to sign him and we refused to even open discussions – a club which he could have realistically won more trophies and improved his own brand (making him more money again) – and we said no.
Well ok, if you want to keep me, pay me want I’m worth – pay me a comparable wage to a player who is deemed not yet as good as me 🤷🏼♂️.
I get the 3 years left on his contract business but we all know it’s an industry where this happens – and in Isaks position, we’d all probably be doing the same 🤷🏼♂️. He’s absolutely our best player by some distance and yet he’s not even the best paid player at the club.
What we should have done was actually negotiated with Liverpool and took there £120m plus Harvey Elliott or Curtis Jones – even Nunez (who I think would be a better player away from Liverpool) – and with the money, bought Ekitike and had £40m left for a CB or GK.
That would have been smart business because we WILL lose Isak eventually anyway – maybe on a free to RM and then what?!?!!.
It stems back to not having a CEO or DoF in place at the moment dealing with these complex matters full time & with expertise in these areas.
We’ve seen an Isak off form at the end of last season – if we have one where he feels we won’t sell and he’s wasting years not being paid what he’s worth then it could be a real problem. Eddie has already sent him home at the weekend – so this is already causing problems for Howe and the team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy since those wage figures were put up on twitter re Ekitike, Liverpool fans have been running to X and what ever to say that figure isn’t true as it’s more than their top earners get.
There is so much stirring on X and from certain itk and journos that it’s causing real problems now for all clubs not just us.
No way Isak gets £300k a week from us and he won’t get that at Pool either imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
This I can agree with, it makes sense and if Isaks got anything about him he would accept that. He joined us and presumably bought into our project? Eddie has helped him become a world class forward along with his team mates. He gets to win a cup and play in the champions league, what’s not to like. He’s adored by the fans and chairman of club and is the big man here, he won’t get that at Pool.
What’s more if baby isak takes off and Isak got injured again, well it could turn sour oh so quickly. Be careful what you wish for Isak, grass ain’t always greener.
kimtoon(Quote)
Isak has been training on his own mmmmmm
Icedog(Quote)
He wants £300 a wk in his new contract,that’s bye bye then imo
Icedog(Quote)
Sick of it now mate, we just need to get a quality forward in at this point and stop being mugs.
kimtoon(Quote)
Wissa looks like a real possibility for us 🤞🏼.
He feels a lot like a NUFC signing – it’s not a superstar signing, but I could see him being hugely affective.
If we can get him for around £35m I think that’s a decent deal.
Sharpy17(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
Watching the Lionesses
kimtoon(Quote)
How did we not score there
kimtoon(Quote)
RIP Ozzy Osbourne
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear
kimtoon(Quote)
That wasn’t in the script
kimtoon(Quote)
RIP Ozzy! 😔😔 but the legend will live on!
Wissa, i really like. At £35m absolutely. Doesnt seem to get injured much either. I still feel he may go to Spurs, but i’d be chuffed with him in. Proven goalscorer
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Lauren james looks like she cannot be bothered. Our passing is off and defence asleep. Poor first half.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I just wish that Ozzy hadn’t passed away on my birthday … 😔
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh no mate, Happy Birthday anyways.🎁🎈🍰
kimtoon(Quote)
Squandered a few chances and being made to pay for it
kimtoon(Quote)
get innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
extra time coming
kimtoon(Quote)
We’ve had 18 shots but only 4 on target
kimtoon(Quote)
Michelle Agyemang saving our bacon
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done ladies
kimtoon(Quote)
God they’ve scrapped to get through again 👏🏼👏🏼.
Don’t want to sound sexist here, but why can’t the lasses score a bleedin penalty man 🤦🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
The stats show they are better than the men, only just. 73% to 72% or something like that.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – clearly not off the back of the last 2 games 😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
all the best GILLY
icedog(Quote)
Thanks Ice and Kim!
Well the Lionesses did it again. They will need a step change in performance though to beat either Germany or Spain! Let’s see.
These Wissa links are getting stronger. A good addition I think if we can do it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think the Germans have got Edwin Van Der Sar in goal … 😳😬😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)