Celtic kicked off at the City Stadium in Glasgow at 19:45 against Queens Park, marking the latter’s first pre-season game after their match against Kilmarnock was cancelled. This was Celtic’s second pre-season game, following their draw against Scott Brown’s Ayr United. With many key players still on international duty, Celtic featured stars like Kyogo, Matt O’Riley, and Tomoki Iwata.

Matt O’Riley, donning the captain’s armband, brought the team together in the huddle before kickoff. The Bhoys made an early impact, with Kyogo scoring a brilliant goal just six minutes in, thanks to a superb pass from Stephen Welsh.

Queens Park quickly responded, equalising in the 15th minute with Ruari Paton’s impressive strike. They then took the lead with a goal from Dominic Thomas, which exposed Celtic’s defensive frailties. However, Celtic levelled the score shortly after, with Kyogo bagging his second goal following a deflected shot from Yuki Kobayashi.

The first half saw another twist when Celtic regained the lead. Mikey Johnston’s low cross found its way to Matt O’Riley, who volleyed home to make it 3-2 before halftime. Kyogo, despite his stellar performance, limped off at the break.

Second Half Celtic Surge

Stephen Welsh took over the captaincy as Celtic made multiple substitutions. The changes paid off, with Kyogo completing his hat-trick in the 61st minute after a well-timed pass from Odin Thiago Holm. Manager Brendan Rodgers then introduced more young talents, including Mitchel Frame, Josh Dede, and Francis Turley.

Substitute Oh added a fifth for Celtic with a top finish into the far-left corner. Queens Park attempted a comeback, with Louis Longridge chipping Benjamin Siegrist to make it 5-3. Yet Celtic extended their lead again, with Francis Turley scoring on his debut following an assist from Oh.

Despite Tyrece McDonnel’s late goal for Queens Park, Celtic secured a convincing 6-4 victory. The match showcased the potential of Celtic’s young players, with several impressive performances. Mikey Johnston stood out on the wing, though he faces stiff competition for a starting spot from the likes of Daizen Maeda, Luis Palma, and Nicolas Kuhn.

Overall, it was a productive outing for Celtic, providing valuable game time for both senior and young players. The Bhoys now look forward to their next pre-season challenge, aiming to build on this entertaining performance.

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