Celtic confirm pre-season glamour friendly as seven-time Champions League winners set for Parkhead return
Two clubs with a rich football history with go head-to-head in Glasgow’s east end next month
Celtic have confirmed they will host Italian giants AC Milan in a pre-season glamour friendly next month.
The 19-time Serie A champions, who are currently managerless after parting was with Massimiliano Allegri at the end of last season, will travel to Glasgow to take on the Scottish champions on Saturday, July 15, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
This will be the first time the two sides have met in nearly six years, with the last meeting being a closed-door Champions League affair at the San Siro during the 2020/21 season.
Despite falling 2-0 behind against Neil Lennon’s side, the Rossoneri staged an impressive comeback to run out 4-2 winners after securing a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park two months earlier.
Arguably the most memorable fixture between the teams came during in 2007 when Scott McDonald struck a last-minute winner to seal a 2-1 triumph for Celtic on a dramatic night in the Champions League group stage.
At the time of writing, Celtic have yet to officially announce Martin O’Neill as their permanent manager. However, the Northern Irishman has agreed to re-join the club on a one-year contract after guiding the team to a league and Scottish Cup double last term.
Serie A heavyweights to visit Celtic Park as European memories rekindled
AC Milan, meanwhile, are reportedly in discussions with former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner over their vacant role. One of the most successful clubs in world football, the Red and Blacks are without a league title triumph in four years. They finished last season in fifth place, 17 points behind arch rivals Inter.
During his first spell at Celtic boss, O’Neill faced Milan in 2004 and recorded a goalless draw in Glasgow’s east end after a 3-1 defeat in the Italian capital.
A Celtic statement read: “We’re happy to share the first of the club’s pre-season fixtures today as we look forward to welcoming AC Milan to Celtic Park next month.
“The Red and Blacks are one of the most successful football clubs in the world, having won the UEFA Champions League an impressive seven times, so it will be an exciting challenge for the Hoops and the perfect way to gear up for the new season.
“Celtic became very familiar with the Rossoneri, facing them eight times in 10 years in Europe’s biggest club competition between 2004 and 2014. The most memorable of those occasions for Hoops fans is the famous 2007 clash, when Scott McDonald’s stunning last-minute goal sealed a 2-1 victory in a dramatic night in Paradise.
“It’s set to be a fantastic afternoon at Celtic Park, with the chance to see some of the biggest names in football and get a look at the Bhoys as they gear up for the new season.
“Tickets for the match will be available to Celtic supporters soon, with more information to follow in the coming weeks.”
Before then, Celtic will face Shelbourne at Tolka Park and Sporting Lisbon in the Algarve.