Celtic blow a two goal lead in AC Milan friendly - but new striker channelling inner Maeda provides hope
Celtic drew 2-2 with the European giants at home in their final pre-season friendly of the season
It was a game of two halves in front of a subdued Celtic Park as the Hoops blew a two goal lead against AC Milan.
Parkhead was quieter for two reasons - firstly, because there were only 20,000 fans in the stadium due to the ongoing boycott protests against the board and secondly, because the ones who did attend were mourning the loss of of fan favourite Daizen Maeda, who was sold to Ipswich Town only hours before kick-off.
The match itself was manager Martin O’Neill’s last chance to make any tactical adjustments or personnel experimentations before their season gets underway at home to Dundee on August 1. With World Cup stars re-entering the fold, he made three changes to the side that drew with Middlesbrough in their last outing, as Kieran Tierney, Arne Engels and Sebastian Tounekti returned to action.
Striker Camilo Duran made it three goals in three as he channeled his inner Maeda to score the first and tee up James Forrest for the second. The Italian side woke up in the second half as a Francesco Camarda brace levelled things up. Celtic had the better of the chances towards the end of the game but were unable to convert.
Tale of the tape
Celtic got off to the best possible start against the seven-time European champions as Duran was gifted the ball in the 11th minute by Milan centre back Strahinja Pavlovic for an easy finish just outside the six yard box. Less than 15 minutes later, the scorer turned provider, as he pounced on yet another error in possession from the visitors. After rounding the goalkeeper, this time he passed back to Forrest, who thundered the ball past the bodies on the line.
O’Neill’s men were comfortable in possession in the first half and looked comfortable both in attack and defence. The second half was a stark contrast. A careless tackle in the box from Cameron Carter-Vickers on Camarda led to referee Nick Walsh pointing to the spot. The Milan substitute thundered the ball into the top corner with the resulting spot kick. He then doubled his tally as a pinpoint cross from Samuel Chukwueze found him in the box where he headed home.
It was a game where every clear cut mostly led to a goal. However Celtic substitute winger Thomas Hatton nearly had a dream moment as he took the ball past several Milan defenders on the left hand side to cut on his right about 30 yards out. The 19-year was inches wide with his speculative effort. Moments later, he set up Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box with a low cross but the Englishman fired just wide.
Overall, it was another good run out for the Hoops as they finalise preparations for the season ahead. Some more minutes in the legs for Carter-Vickers will do him the world of good. Youngster Hatton left everything on the pitch and will surely now be considered to be in future matchday squads.
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