Howlers, Elanga and new signings clearly needed - Celtic 4-0 Newcastle

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.