Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 00:30 UK Time (Wednesday); Tuesday 7.00pm EDT in US; Chapel Hill (North Carolina, USA); Celtic TV.
- Summer Friendlies – USA tour; Match 2 of 3
- Man City reigning EPL champions – 4 in a row: “Champions v Champions!”. So Celtic win the unofficial “Battle of Britain” match but this wasn’t a full strengh side for both sides, but a great lift anyhow for the Celtic players on the day.
- The US news & match commentators kept referring to us as either “The Celtics” or “Keltic”!
- Kuhn plays a blinder with a world class assist for Kyogo, and scores twice himself. Brilliant. Just hope he can play like this into next season.
- Kasper Schmeichel makes his debut tonight.
- Transfers so far this summer:
- In: return of loanees like Lawal, Tilio, Haksabonovic; Viljami Sinisalo (est £1m) from Aston Villa; Kasper Schmeichel on a free from Anderlecht;
- Out: Idah back to Norwich after loan ended; Bernardo back to Benfica after loan ended; Haksabanovic to Malmö (undisclosed); Rocco Vata to Watford (£250k compensation); Tilio sent back on loan to Melbourne City (Australia) for 2024/25; Oh sold to Genk (£4.5m);
- Reports: Southampton prepared to “push the boat out” to sign Matt O’Riley. Atalanta made another derisory bid for Matt O’Riley of €17/18m package (rejected)!
- Celtic’s feeder club in Austria, Admira Wacker, say they are set to get more loan players this season from Celtic.
- Politics: US President Joe Biden announces he will NOT stand again for the Presidency for the upcoming elections. The Celtic team actually visited The White House only last week, albeit didn’t get to meet US President Biden.
- Ex-Sevco player Joey Barton charged with making malicious communications. He’s got a history of trouble behind him and humiliated himself when he played for Sevco in Glasgow.
- Tennis: Scottish legend Andy Murray announced he’ll retire from tennis after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old is planning to play in the singles and doubles in Paris, in what will be his fifth Games.
- Ex-Celt Patryk Klimala’s move to Standard Liege has collapsed after the Belgian club’s fans protested against his arrival due to a one handed salute.
- A group of top European leagues, inc SPFL, suing Fifa over what they allege is abuse of a dominant position within the game. Football’s world governing body is accused of taking “unilateral decisions” on the international match calendar which is now “beyond saturation” in a joint complaint to the European Commission by umbrella bodies European Leagues and FIFPro Europe.
Summary
“I make it clear to the Celtic supporters, we want to improve, to get better. We don’t want to stand still. By the end of the window I expect us to be that.”
Brendan Rodgers
“Champions v Champions!”
“My ideal scenario was to have three, Kyogo, one other one & bring through a young player. Rocco was that but he’s moved on. So we may have to look elsewhere. Three is a really good number. Two, I would say to be number one strikers & one that we can nurture & develop.”
Brendan Rodgers on striker hunt (Jul 2024)
Manchester City and England under-21 centre-back Callum Doyle has revealed it will be Wednesday’s clash against Celtic that is most important to him and revealed it will fulfil a lifetime ambition. “I’ve always dreamed since I was a little kid to play against Celtic,” Doyle told City TV. “Since I was watching the derbies between Celtic and Rangers I feel like it’ll be a good game, a good test and a good battle. It will be great working with very good players again. Learning from them and gaining their experience and using it in my game. It will be great and great to see the lads.”
Teams
Celtic:
Subs:
Goals:Nicolas Kuhn 13 & 36, Kyogo 44, Palma 75
Assists:
Man City
Subs:
Goals:Bobb 32, Perrone 46, Haaland 57
Assists:
Ref:
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Articles
Celts come out on top in the Battle of the Champions
First Team
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/july/24/celts-come-out-on-top-in-the-battle-of-the-champions/
By Gerry McCulloch in America
Share
24 Jul 2024, 3:20 am
Pre-season friendly
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Kenan Stadium Chapel Hill, North Carolina
CELTIC… 4
(Nicolas Kuhn 13 & 36, Kyogo 44, Palma 75)
MANCHESTER CITY… 3
(Bobb 32, Perrone 46, Haaland 57)
A Nicolas Kuhn double inspired Celtic to a fantastic 4-3 win over English Premier League champions, Manchester City as the Bhoys’ tour of the USA yielded another victory, this time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The first chance of the game fell to Nico O’Reilly who shot past the post after good build-up play involving Jack Grealish.
Celtic were a threat at the other end in the opening minutes, too, with Daizen Maeda’s pace causing problems down the left wing, and his cross for Kyogo produced a shot at goal from Celtic’s Number 8.
Brendan Rodgers’ side took the lead in the 13th minute with an impressive goal.
A wonderful first-time pass from Reo Hatate found Matt O’Riley who expertly picked out Nicolas Kuhn, free on the right.
The German winger advanced into the box unchallenged and calmly slotted a right-foot shot past Ortega to send the Hoops fans in the Kenan Stadium wild.
Celtic were the better team and they almost doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Kyogo’s shot towards goal was saved.
Kasper Schmeichel was making his Celtic debut and he showed signs of what was to come with a signature block on and Erling Haaland shot midway through the first half preventing the Norwegian striker from equalising. The Danish keeper showed exactly why Brendan Rodgers is so pleased to have him at the club.
Celtic’s number one did it again a few moments later, denying Haaland from point-blank range when it looked certain he would score.
The equaliser did eventually come on 32 minutes, Oscar Bobb’s shot trickling over the line despite Schmeichel’s valiant effort to prevent the ball from finding the net.
It didn’t stay level for long, though, and Celtic were soon back in front. Kuhn once again showed class and composure, moving the ball from his right foot to his left before curling his shoot into the roof of the net from eight yards out.
And Kuhn almost provided Hatate with a third for Celtic, but the Japanese midfielder’s shot went wide of the post.
With half-time approaching, the Bhoys broke up field with O’Riley feeding Kuhn, and the German winger confidently bent a fantastic pass with the outside of his left foot into the path of Kyogo.
The Japanese striker took one touch to control and another to cooly round the City keeper to give the Scottish Champions a 3-1 lead at the break.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side pulled a goal back right at the start of the second half through substitute Maximo Perrone.
And they were level on 57 minutes when Oscar Bobb’s cross was headed home by Haaland who rose above Scales at the back post to give substitute goalkeeper, Viljami Sinisalo no chance.
Brendan Rodgers made a further seven changes to his outfield with 25 minutes to go, and two of those substitutes combined to give Celtic the lead again.
After James Forrest played in Kwon, who had broken the offside trap, the Korean used his pace to sprint into the box and set up Luis Palma for an easy tap-in.
Ben Knight was then denied an equaliser by Sinisalo who tipped the youngster’s shot over the bar as City pushed to get back on level terms once more, but Brendan Rodgers’ side remained resolute to see out the game and record another impressive win.
Manager: We were excellent and showed our attacking intent
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/july/24/manager-s-post-match-reaction-from-north-carolina/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
Share
24 Jul 2024, 10:28 am
Brendan Rodgers has said that he was impressed with some of the football that his side played against the champions of England last night in North Carolina.
The Celts’ pre-season tour continued with a 4-3 victory over Manchester City at Kenan Memorial Stadium and the Manager says that his players coped with the challenge of coming up against Pep Guardiola’s side.
“Some of the football we played was excellent,” he said. “We showed how much we wanted to attack.
“When you play Pep’s teams, they’re so complex in how they play. I said before the game that, physically, this would be another step up for us.
“But it’s also a step up tactically because you’ve got to be so concentrated and press in the right moments.
“But I thought the players dealt with that so well. It was a really good night, and the supporters were amazing once again.”
Celtic’s goals on the night came from Kyogo, Luis Palma and Nicolas Kuhn, with the German winger finding the back of the net twice and assisting Kyogo for the third goal with a sensational pass.
On Kuhn’s bright performance, the Manager said: “He’s come back looking very sharp, the moves for his goals were outstanding.
“He finished his two goals really well. And actually, his pass for the third goal was magical really, with the outside of the foot.
“Two goals and an assist for him. He was very good.”
The Hoops’ boss also praised Kasper Schmeichel who made his first appearance for the Celts last night and produced some good saves in the first half, denying Erling Haaland on more than one occasion.
“He’s one of the best in that 1v1 moment,” Brendan said. “He makes himself so big, his timing, everything is so good.
“That was a lovely introduction for him tonight and he’ll understand as he goes along how much we need from him.
“His personality will be huge, not just for the team, but for the club as well.”
Celtic 4-3 Manchester City – Bhoys win Battle of Britain, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
By Editor 24 July, 2024 No Comments
[Celtic 4-3 Manchester City – Bhoys win Battle of Britain, in Chapel Hill, N.C.]
Celtic 4-3 Manchester City – Bhoys win Battle of Britain, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Celtic’s preseason tour in the United States continued on Tuesday evening with Brendan Rodgers’ squad making it two victories out of two.
The Hoops held off English Premier League giants Manchester City for a 4-3 result in Chapel Hill, N.C. Nicolas Kuhn scored twice while Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma also found the back of the net for the reigning Scottish Premiership winners.
Summer signing Kasper Schmeichel made his Celtic debut by logging 45 minutes from the start. The Danish international made several key stops against City star forward Erling Haaland, giving Celtic fans a glimpse of what to expect this coming season.
Kuhn broke the deadlock for Celtic in the 13th minute after slotting home Matt O’Riley’s pass. O’Riley sprung Kuhn upfield before the German drilled a low shot into the far corner for a 1-0 Celtic lead.
Haaland came close to tying the match in the 22nd minute but Schmeichel punched away the Norwegian’s point-blank range effort.
Schmeichel denied Haaland a second time in quick succession, stretching big to repel the star striker’s chipped effort.
Oskar Bobb tied the match at 1-1 in the 32nd minute after his left-footed shot was originally saved by Schmeichel, but bounced its way in.
Kuhn recaptured the lead for Celtic in the 36th minute, beating Stefan Ortega to the bottom-left corner. Reo Hatate’s through-ball pass allowed Kuhn to pick up possession on the right wing before slotting home his second of the night.
Furuhashi made it 3-1 in the 44th minute after Anthony Ralston’s upfield pass put the attacker in prime position to score. It marked Kyogo’s first goal of the U.S. tour after coming close on several occasions last weekend against DC United.
Máximo Perrone helped cut the deficit for Man City in the 46th minute after coming on at halftime. Bobb created space on the right flank before passing to a wide open Perrone for a curling left-footed finish.
Haaland equalized for Man City in the 57th minute after powering a header past Viljami Sinisalo. Bobb’s cross from the left wing was finished off by Haaland for his first goal of the summer.
Luis Palma made an instant impact after entering the match in the 65th minute, needing only three minutes to boost the Hoops back in front for good. Kwon Hyeok-Kyu set up the Honduran international in the box before Palma stroked a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner.
Mikey Johnston came close to adding an insurance tally in the final minutes, but saw his header miss wide of the target after a good set up from ever-deadly Palma.
Young players Colby Donovan and Matthew Anderson featured off the bench, as did veteran attacker James Forrest.
Celtic’s three-match U.S. tour will conclude on Saturday in South Bend, Indiana against Chelsea.
Celtic boss makes prediction on ‘magical’ forward as Hoops ace labelled ‘one of the best’ after Man City win
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-boss-makes-prediction-on-magical-forward-as-hoops-ace-labelled-one-of-the-best-after-man-city-win-4714439?cx_testId=5&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=2&cx_experienceId=EX2NAIW0WFIR&cx_experienceActionId=showRecommendationsK080OZDSLLXE8#cxrecs_s
By Graham Falk
Published 24th Jul 2024, 10:04 BST
Comments
Celtic secured a memorable 4-3 pre-season win over Manchester City in North Carolina overnight.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was left purring after watching his Hoops side win a seven goal thriller against Manchester City in America overnight.
A brace from Nicholas Kuhn followed by a strike from Kyogo Furuhashi saw the Hoops go 3-1 ahead at the break before Maximo Perrone and Erling Haaland levelled for Pep Guardiola’s side in the second period. However, winger Luis Palma would seal a memorable 4-3 win over the English Premier League champions at the Kenan Memorial Stadium when he fired home in the 68th minute as fans were treated to a dingdong battle in North Carolina.
The victory sealed Celtic’s fourth successive pre-season win and took their goal tally to 14 goals in their last four games, as the Hoops continue preparations for their Scottish Premiership opener against Kilmarnock on August 4. The champions will face one final pre-season test against Chelsea in Indiana on Saturday before getting their campaign underway and Rodgers’ admits he has been hugely impressed by what he has seen so far.
“Whenever you play Pep (Guardiola) teams it is so complex how they play,” said the Celtic boss. “I said before the game that it would be another step up for us physically but also tactically as you have got to be so concentrated and press in the right moments. You can’t always press or else you end up running more. I thought the players dealt with that so well. The football we played was excellent. The goals were class and we attacked and showed how much we wanted to attack. It was a really good night and the supporters were amazing once again.”
The game also handed fans a first glimpse of new signing Kasper Schmeichel, who had an impressive Celtic debut against his former club, pulling off a number of saves during the first half. “He is one of the best in that one-on-one moment,” said Rodgers. “He is so good and he makes himself so big, his timing, everything is so good. That was a lovely introduction for him to come in. He’ll understand as he goes along how much we need from him. His personality will be huge not only for the team but for the club as well.”
The 51-year-old boss also hailed ‘magical’ German forward Kuhn after his two-goal haul against the Cityzens and believes fans will see the best of him this season as he settles further into life in Glasgow. “Hopefully, in the first year, he was adapting and he has come back looking really sharp,” commented the Celtic boss. “The moves for the goals were outstanding. Some of the football to play through City’s press was excellent. We built it up really well despite their pressure. He finished his two goals really well. His pass for the third goal was magical. The outside of the right foot and it had to travel a long distance, so two goals and an assist for him was great. We wanted to play him a little bit longer but he just felt a little bit on his knee but he was very good.”