Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifiers Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C match at Hampden Park, Glasgow UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xFredxPalmerx FIL-22351-0159
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side begin their pre-season preparations in Ireland, facing League of Ireland outfit Shelbourne at Tolka Park in Dublin.
The friendly marks the first game in Celtic’s tour of Ireland, giving supporters their earliest look at how the squad is shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
Close to 6,000 supporters are expected to pack the terraces and seating areas at Tolka Park, giving the occasion an old-school atmosphere.
Shelbourne arrive in strong competitive shape, having beaten Dundalk 2-1 in the League of Ireland as recently as Friday, making them sharp opponents for Celtic.
The Dublin club currently sit fifth in the League of Ireland table and remain firmly in the hunt to qualify for European football this season.
Celtic fans should not expect to see many familiar faces in the starting lineup, with heavy rotation and a high number of substitutions anticipated throughout the match.
FIFA recommends a 21-day break for players involved in major summer tournaments, meaning Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney, Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Yang, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti, and Daizen Maeda are all sitting out today.
With those absentees in mind, Colby Donovan could feature at right-back, while Dane Murray and Johnny Kenny, back in his homeland where he made his name, could play prominent roles.
Callum Osmand is another player to watch, with the midfielder eager to prove his worth after a difficult run with injuries that has hampered his progress at the club.
Cameron Carter-Vickers could also feature as he is gradually eased back into action following his own long-term injury absence, giving O’Neill a chance to assess his fitness.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another player who could get minutes today, having earned a new one-year deal on the back of an impressive second half to last season.
On the transfer front, a £5.5 million deal for Camilo Duran is understood to be close but has not yet been confirmed, while goalkeeper Tjark Ernst has also been linked with a move to the club.
The pre-season comes at an unusually early point in the summer, with last season running directly into the World Cup in North America, leaving little downtime for players and staff.
Those Celtic players not involved with international duty over the summer are now back in training and ready to compete for their places ahead of the new season.
Fringe squad members will be particularly motivated to impress O’Neill today, knowing their more established teammates will return refreshed once the World Cup concludes.
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