Celtic Dominates Newcastle 4-0 in Pre-Season Showdown

Celtic Crush Newcastle in Pre-Season Friendly

Celtic showcased their pre-season form with a resounding 4-0 victory over Newcastle at Parkhead, marking a triumphant return for Kieran Tierney to his former club. The Scottish champions dominated the match, leaving Eddie Howe’s Premier League side with plenty to reflect on ahead of the new season.

Match Highlights

The Hoops took control early, with Arne Engels converting a penalty after Joe Willock’s foul. Newcastle’s Nick Pope then made a costly error, allowing Johnny Kenny to slot in a second goal before halftime. Celtic continued their dominance in the second half, with Hyun-Jun Yang finishing a swift counter-attack and Liam Scales heading in a fourth from Tierney’s cross.

The home crowd erupted in celebration as Tierney made his first appearance at Parkhead in six years, following his stint with Arsenal. His assist for Scales’ goal was a highlight of the match, further endearing him to the Celtic faithful.

Newcastle’s Struggles

Newcastle, missing key players like Alexander Isak and Joelinton, struggled to match Celtic’s intensity. Despite making nine changes at halftime, including the debut of new signing Anthony Elanga, the Magpies were unable to recover. The defeat highlighted the need for reinforcements as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Manager Reactions

Celtic’s manager praised his team’s readiness, while Eddie Howe acknowledged the challenges his side faced. “This was a test that came a bit too early for us,” Howe said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but the team will be better for this experience.”

Celtic now look ahead to their final pre-season clash against Ajax, while Newcastle head to Singapore to face Arsenal. With the season approaching, both teams will aim to fine-tune their preparations and address the lessons learned from this encounter.

Around 10,000 Newcastle fans traveled to Glasgow, hoping for a stronger showing in the weeks to come.