Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen beside the trophy during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland.placeholder image
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen beside the trophy during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. | Getty Images
Newcastle United take on Celtic in a pre-season friendly on July 19 in Glasgow.
It’s hard to believe the new season is almost upon us. It feels like only five minutes ago the last one was closing up. Even without a summer tournament to distract attention - a senior one, anyway - the summers just seem to be getting shorter and shorter.
But here we are, Newcastle United’s players are already back in training, the internationals due back in the next few days, and a friendly is just around the corner.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies play their first public friendly a week on Saturday, and do so north of the border, much like they did the last time they headed into a Champions League season. Back in the summer of 2023 it was a trip to Rangers which saw the bow of then new boy Sandro Tonali - and from minute one he raised eyebrows. This time around it’s a trip to the green and white half of Glasgow, for an encounter with fellow Champions League outfit Celtic. And that could well be the day that Anthony Elanga - and potentially others - turn out in black and white for the first time.
Cameron Carter Vickers in action for Celtic.placeholder image
Cameron Carter Vickers in action for Celtic. | SNS Group
Celtic injury news
The summer is already well underway for Celtic. They’re already a few weeks ahead of Newcastle in terms of preparation.
The Bhoys have already beaten Queens Park 1-0 this summer, then followed that up with a 2-1 win in Ireland against Cork City.
And Brendan Rodgers has already been speaking to the media about his side’s preparations for the clash with Newcastle United - hinting that a key defender could make a return from injury in time for the visit of the Magpies.
On former NUFC-linked defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, he said: “Cam, again, just working with the conditioners on the field on his own and we’re thinking around about either just before or just after Newcastle he’ll be ready to play.
“But he’ll be joining us fairly soon.”
NUFC transfers
Howe had hoped to get Newcastle’s business concluded early in the window, but the reality has proven much more challenging.
Newcastle are about to confirm a deal for Elanga from Forest, in a transfer worth around £52million, but are still in the hunt for more new additions. Howe has eyes for a new striker, central defender, goalkeeper and potentially a midfielder, depending on outgoings.
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