Although billed as a pre-season friendly, the contest was anything but laid back. Both sides brought intensity, commitment, and more than a touch of needle to the Italian encounter. Players got in each other’s faces regularly.
New Bhoy Shin Yamada sealed the victory in the shootout, calmly slotting home the winning penalty. The Japanese attacker showed composure in his first appearance for the club, already giving fans a glimpse of what he could bring to Brendan Rodgers’ squad this season.
Between the sticks, Viljami Sinisalo made a decisive save to help Celtic over the line. The young Finnish international looked composed under pressure, giving Rodgers something to think about heading into the new campaign.
But it wasn’t just the football that caught attention. One flashpoint we latched onto came between Auston Trusty and striker Ivan Toney. With the camera cutting to the pair during a goal kick, Toney extended an arm across Trusty — only for the Celtic defender to repeatedly slap his hand away in a playful but deliberate wind-up. Toney eventually turned around in bemusement, and it was clear the moment had been building.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/8FpVQrEkfe
— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) July 26, 2025
Trusty, who played with a smile on his face throughout, appeared to be getting under the skin of his Premier League opponent. It was a small but telling moment — and a reminder that the American centre-back has a bit of mischief in him as well as grit.
Celtic will be pleased with the result and the character shown across the squad. With the Premiership season kicking off this weekend, this was the kind of sharp, competitive fixture Rodgers will be looking to build on.
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Yes first half we were bullied second half we got in there faces and a few ali alhi players didn’t like and retaliate with bad tackles like most bullies they hate it back McGowan never shirk a challenge and wasn’t slow to back up forest who was lucky to avoid injury well done McGowan need more of that when opposition go in like that ref was poor allowed asian team a with there players ignorance to the officails book one for verbal assault on linesman no respect big money earners but well done to Celtic especially McGown