Pre-season vibes hit a wall at Celtic Park

Pre-season football is usually a glorified cardio session wrapped in synthetic optimism. Managers smile, youth academy kids get ten minutes to run around like hyperactive terriers, and supporters convince themselves that a rainy friendly in July actually matters. But when Celtic welcomed AC Milan to Paradise on July 25, 2026, the pre-season illusion evaporated into thin Scottish air. This was supposed to be a shiny dress rehearsal for Celtic before their Scottish Premiership campaign kicks off, but instead it served up a massive reality check.

Ruben Amorim brought his Rossoneri outfit to Glasgow with a point to prove. Meanwhile, Celtic came into this off the back of a lukewarm 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough. If Celtic fans were looking for reassurance that their squad is ready to march through domestic opposition and make noise in Europe, what they got on Saturday afternoon was a reminder that tactical rebuilds are rarely neat.

Tactical experiments and line-up madness

Let's talk about the team sheets because both gaffers decided to get funky. Amorim rolled out a 3-4-2-1 setup featuring Torriani in goal, flanked by Tomori, Gabbia, and Pavlovic in defense. That back line has enough height to clean rain gutters without a ladder. Milan's midfield featured Bartesaghi and Athekame on the wings, with Loftus-Cheek roaming around like a guy playing against teenagers at a 5-a-side pitch. It was compact, physical, and clearly designed to smother Celtic's rhythm before it even got off the ground.

Celtic lined up in a 4-3-2-1 with Sinisalo starting between the sticks and Cameron Carter-Vickers anchoring the backline alongside Murray. Jhon Duran was handed the task of leading the line, supported by Forrest and Tounekti. On paper, it looks like a squad capable of causing problems. In practice, the movement was clunky. Callum McGregor tried his best to pull the strings in midfield alongside McCowan and Arne Engels, but Milan’s midfield press felt like trying to navigate through heavy traffic on the M8 during rush hour.

The reality check Celtic desperately needed

If you're looking for glowing hot takes about how Celtic are ready to conquer Europe, you've come to the wrong establishment. The truth is, Celtic looked off the pace whenever Milan turned on the jets. The defensive transitions were slow, and the gaps between Carter-Vickers and his fullback cover were wide enough to park a Glasgow double-decker bus inside. Duran worked hard up front, but he was left feeding on absolute scraps for long stretches of the first half.

As Sky Sports reported in their live match coverage, the tempo of these summer fixtures can be misleading, but the technical gulf between the two sides was obvious whenever Milan accelerated through the central channels. Loftus-Cheek was practically picking pockets in midfield, while Milan’s defensive trio won almost every aerial duel thrown into the box. Celtic held their own in patches, but holding your own in a friendly doesn't win silverware when the real business begins next week.

Final thoughts before the real work begins

Nobody wins a trophy in July, and nobody should panic over pre-season fitness runs. But Celtic have zero buffer left before the competitive matches start piling up. The Scottish Premiership campaign is right around the corner, and this squad still looks like a work in progress rather than a finished product. Amorim’s Milan got exactly what they wanted out of their trip to Scotland before heading off on the next leg of their global summer tour.

For Celtic, the honeymoon period of pre-season optimism is officially over. The tactical kinks need ironing out fast, the defensive line needs to stop napping on counter-attacks, and the forward line needs far better service if they plan on making Paradise a fortress this season. Strap in, because the summer warm-ups are done and the real chaos is about to begin.