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The behind-closed doors friendly Celtic played prior to Shelbourne
The Glasgow side drew 1-1 in their first official pre-season friendly in Dublin.
Harry Wood’s late penalty seemed to secure a win for Shelbourne, but Shin Yamada equalised in the dying minutes.
O’Neill also revealed that the team had a ‘bounce game’ against Partick Thistle.
He gave several young players, including Emmanuel Obidiwe, Kye Ure, and Francis Turley, the chance to play.
The team was changed at half-time, allowing both the younger and more experienced players to get 45 minutes on the pitch.
Fluid logoThe 74-year-old said: “The run out [vs Shelbourne] was important for us as much as anything else, obviously changed the side round at half time so it was good.”
We had a bit of a bounce game against Partick Thistle, which was good for us as well too.
“Up at our training ground a few days ago and here, this is a good workout for us.”
It gives me a chance under more strenuous circumstances to look at some of the younger players, and an opportunity for our lads, the senior boys, to try and get fit.”
Dermot Desmond witnesses Celtic need for transfer surgery up close in Shelbourne stalemate – five talking points
The Hoops supremo was at Tolka Park as two late penalties apiece ensured first pre-season friendly with Shelbourne finished 1-1
Dermot Desmond was in the house as Celtic kicked off pre-season with a 1-1 draw, writes Ryan McDonald in Dublin.
And fans will hope the Irish tycoon will finally be ready to bankroll Martin O’Neill’s summer spending spree – as the champions close in on £6million hitman Camilo Duran.
The Hoops are the only top-flight club in Scotland who have yet to make any additions so far in the window.
That’s frustrated punters who are desperate for a new wave of heroes to bolster O’Neill’s Double-winning squad.
But Parkhead chiefs will hope it was worth the wait with Colombian striker Duran on his way to the UK to rubber-stamp a bumper switch from Qarabag.
The 24-year-old is expected to wrap up his switch in the coming days and kick off a flurry of new arrivals.
Until then, it was largely the same familiar faces on show at a packed-out Tolka Park – aside from the customary crop of academy hopefuls – as the Bhoys got back to work.
Celts certainly worked up a sweat in the sweltering 27-degree heat. And just like the World Cup, there were even a couple of hydration breaks.
But as expected this early in the summer, O’Neill’s men did look rusty as he fielded different XIs in each half.
And after a snorefest, it was Shelbourne who broke the deadlock in the 88th-minute as Harry Wood converted a penalty.
But Celtic hit back instantly to avoid defeat as Shin Yamada equalised from the spot after Maik Nawrocki was floored.
Here are our five talking points from a scorching night in Ireland’s capital.
Keep Cam and carry on
The return of Cameron Carter-Vickers would’ve been a sight to behold for O’Neill.
The imperious USA stopper hasn’t kicked a ball since his campaign was cruelly brought to a halt in October after a nightmare Achilles injury.
CCV left a gaping hole in the defence as Liam Scales and Auston Trusty formed a makeshift partnership but struggled to keep the back door shut at times.
Now, Carter-Vickers – arguably the best defender in Scotland on his day – will offer O’Neill some stability.
And, to use the oldest cliche in the book, the American will feel like a new signing for his veteran gaffer having been sidelined across O’Neill’s two interim spells.
He was relatively solid against a Shelbourne side who are midway through their season and fifth in the Irish League as he lined up alongside Dane Murray, winning most aerial duels in his 45-minute run-out.
Bal’s in your courtIt would take something of a minor miracle for Michel-Ange Balikwisha to resurrect his Parkhead career after a dismal 12 months in Glasgow.
He featured just 14 times – making just three starts – following a lengthy £5m pursuit from Royal Antwerp.
O’Neill confessed he felt sorry for the bombed-out attacker last term as he stuck with his tried-and-tested to revive their Double dreams.
And you’d think this pre-season will be make-or-break for the 25-year-old outcast.
He was handed a rare chance to start in his preferred No10 position just behind lone striker Callum Osmand – and was clattered early on by Odhran Casey.
The Belgian recovered and floated around the park, attempting to link-up play but was largely ineffective before being subbed at the break.
Forgotten Bhoys
Could Maik Nawrocki yet have a future at Celtic?The big £4.5m stopper led the sweeping half-time changes as he was back in green and white following his season-long loan stint with Hannover 96.
The commanding Pole never put a foot wrong and made a crucial intervention to stop a certain goal as the hosts hit on the counter.
And the 25-year-old – who won a late spotkick – might well be given a clean slate under O’Neill if he can stay fit.
Yamada was also given a run-out as he replaced Osmand up top and was active in and around the box.
The Japan cap had a forgettable spell in Germany’s second tier with Preussen Munster but hustled and bustled in the lone role and drew Celts level at the death.
Meanwhile left-back Adam Montgomery – whose last competitive appearance for Celts was on Boxing Day 2021 – had his head in his hands after tripping James Bailey as Shelbourne took the lead late on.
Young guns
Promising academy kid Joseph Haney was handed a top team start after catching the eye with the B side.
The 17-year-old was given the nod at left-back in the absence of Kieran Tierney and was decent.
Sean McArdle – who burst onto the scene under Brendan Rodgers last year – started out on the right-hand flank despite usually playing as a central midfielder, with Colby Donovan tucked in behind him.
Wholesale changes after the break saw a bunch of academy hopefuls earn first-team auditions.
Tricky winger Thomas Hatton was the pick of the bunch, while highly-rated midfielders Kyle Ure and Liam Kennedy also caught the eye.
Playmaker Francis Turley – handed a four-year deal by Rodgers – slotted in at right-back.
New Bhoys needed
Principal shareholder Desmond was in the VIP box last night alongside CEO Michael Nicholson and interim chairman Brian Wilson.
One look at the match day squad just underlines the importance of getting new Bhoys in the door – with about half of the team made up of academy prospects.
Of course, Celts were without their World Cup contingent of Tierney, Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti and Daizen Maeda.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t expected to rejoin the squad until Celts jet out to Portugal later today, while wantaway Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate was also mysteriously posted missing.
Don’t forget Portuguese winger Jota either, who is still sidelined with an ACL tear and not due back until Halloween.
But with a £40m winner-takes-all Champions League play-off on the horizon, the hierarchy can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of Kairat Almaty.
The imminent big-money arrival of Duran is a well overdue statement of intent.
And O’Neill will hope one or two new faces will join him as Celts now jet out for a week-long training camp in Albufeira.
