Celtic 4 Newcastle 0 – Hoops silence 10,000 travelling fans as Callum McGregor lifts another trophy after Parkhead rout

Scottish Sun

19-07-2025

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CELTIC powered to a comprehensive Adidas Cup victory over their Premier League opponents - with Kieran Tierney grabbing an assist on his return.
Second-half sub Tierney's cross was bulleted home by Liam Scales for his side's fourth goal at a sodden Celtic Park.
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Arne Engels opens the scoring from the spot
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Johnny Kenny celebrates second goal
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Yang Hyun-Jun made it three in the second half
Credit: PA
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Liam Scales rounded off the scoring with a header
Credit: Getty
Arne Engels penalty and Johnny Kenny's tap-in - after Nick Pope's howler - had Celtic in control at the break, with Hyunjun Yang adding an easy third.
Eddie Howe had picked an experienced Newcastle side with five 30-somethings in their starting line-up and £55m Anthony Elanga on the bench.
Joelinton was nowhere to be seen as he recovers from a knee injury while Alexander Isak was also absent as he battles back from a groin issue.
Toon boss Howe came close to being named the Celtic manager four years ago but an issue regarding recruiting his backroom team saw the approach crumble.
For his Champions League-bound side, their first public outing of the season was a long way from the start Howe had envisioned.
Their 10,000-strong travelling support was initially raucous - but they were numerically diminished and very subdued by time-up.
They'd beaten Carlisle 4-0 in a training HQ closed-door friendly last week but after a bright start, their defensive rustiness was ruthlessly punished by Celtic.
They now head for a Far East tour where they'll face Arsenal, a K League select and Spurs.
Celtic started with Kasper Schmeichel in goal, a back four of Tony Ralston, Dane Murray, Auston Trusty and Hayato Inamura. Callum McGregor was joined in midfield by Luke McCowan and Engels, with Yang and Daizen Maeda either side of Kenny up front.
Fabian Schar got an early taste of the relentless nature of one Celtic favourite. He seemed to have done the hard work when he turned inside with the ball as Maeda slid past him in an effort to block.
Celtic star Daizen Maeda spotted doing press-ups in technical area after being subbed-off against Sporting Lisbon
But the Swiss took a fatal touch as he looked forward and found his pass blocked by the Japanese who'd sprung to his feet and raced back into action. The veteran United defender threw up his arms in exasperation.
He was in similar bother moments later when he almost gifted Celtic the lead.
The alert Maeda robbed skipper Bruno Guimaraes in midfield and from Yang's cross, Schar deflected the ball towards his own goal - and was grateful to Nick Pope who clawed the ball away for a corner.
But home keeper Schmeichel was also in action as a bright United side forced the pace, touching William Osula's deflected drive over the top.
The Toon Army were creating a terrific atmosphere but they were subdued for practically the first time after 26 minutes when Celtic went in front.
Inevitably Maeda was involved, stretching the visiting defence and getting wide of Kieran Trippier. His low cross looked destined for Engels who was tripped going for it by Joe Willock.
Nick Walsh pointed to the spot and Engels rattled in the penalty.
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A limp header by Jacob Murphy into Schmeichel's arms was all United offered by way of immediate response.
Celtic should have doubled their lead when Yang cut open the visiting defence and seemed to have left Johnny Kenny with a tap-in - but he made a poor contact with the cross and the opportunity was gone.
But the home side sent their fans in at the interval after a catastrophic blunder by Pope presented Kenny with the easiest goal he'll ever score.
Schmeichel's kick-out should've been straightforward for the keeper as he came out of his box, but he misjudged the bounce as he attempted to head clear. It sailed over him and Kenny was left to convert the simplest of tap-ins.
United made nine changes at the break, with Elanga and Anthony Gordon among the arrivals. One of them, Alex Murphy, immediately powered down the left and his cross was met by Osula - whose effort was brilliantly blocked at point-blank range by Schmeichel.
The Toon changes were still taking shape when the visitors fell further behind.
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Full-back Emil Krafth was left one-on-one with Maeda with the inevitable consequences. He cut inside and rolled the ball across for Yang to finish easily.
Kieran Tierney got the expected rousing reception when he made his Celtic Park return as a sub after 55 minutes, replacing Inamura, who had looked composed at left-back.
Five minutes later, Rodgers replaced the remaining ten players, with new arrival Benjamin Nygren on as well as youngsters Ben McPherson and Colby Donovan.
Nygren was immediately involved, touching the ball on for Adam Idah, who poked his effort narrowly wide of Martin Dubravka's post.
Newcastle might have been reduced to ten men when Dan Burn felled Idah in a last-man challenge. Nick Walsh opted for yellow, to the disappointment of the home support.
Scotland under-21 defender McPherson's cross set up Idah for a header over the top then Reo Hatate's drive was saved.
But Newcastle were looking weary and it was no surprise when Celtic added a fourth after 75 minutes.
Tierney's cross was bulleted into the top corner by Scales to round off a highly satisfactory display for Brendan Rodgers.
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