Celtic vs AC Milan: Final Preseason Friendly Preview

Celtic have left the glamour fixture for last. On Saturday, Celtic Park welcomes AC Milan, seven-time European champions, for a friendly that feels anything but gentle. For Martin O’Neill’s side, it is the final dress rehearsal before the Scottish Premiership curtain-raiser against Dundee on August 3. For Milan, it is the first public glimpse of Rúben Amorim’s reign.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in Glasgow, mirroring the rest of the UK. That’s 10 a.m. ET and 7 a.m. PT in the United States, and 4 p.m. CEST in Italy.

There is no traditional TV broadcast. CelticPlayer, the club’s own streaming service, carries the match worldwide, including in the U.S. In Australia, beIN Sports Connect has the rights, DAZN shows it in Belgium, and Sky Sport Calcio takes it into Italian living rooms.

Pulisic Missing as Amorim Era Begins

The marquee name on Milan’s team sheet will be missing. Christian Pulisic, one of the club’s key attacking stars, will not feature after suffering a bone bruise and a microfracture to his tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 exit. The setback rules him out for several weeks, but not months, according to CBS Sports.

It means Amorim’s first game in charge of the Rossoneri arrives without one of his most versatile forwards. The Portuguese coach, hired from Manchester United after Milan’s late-season slide down the Serie A table, has already made it clear how he sees Pulisic fitting in once he returns.

“Pulisic is a highly talented player, but unfortunately, he got injured again,” Amorim said, as quoted by CBS Sports. “I have an idea of where I want to see him play — on the left as an inverted winger.”

He is far from the only absentee. A long list of World Cup participants are expected to sit this one out: Mike Maignan, Pervis Estupiñán, Koni De Winter, Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari, Luka Modrić, Rafael Leão, Alexis Saelemaekers and Santiago Giménez are all set to remain on the sidelines.

New striker Gonçalo Ramos, an $84 million signing, is still on vacation and will not be involved. The spotlight could instead fall on fellow summer arrivals Mario Gila and teenage forward Francesco Camarda, both in line to make their first appearance in Milan colours.

For Amorim, it is a stripped-back squad but a clear stage. New ideas, new combinations, same weight of expectation.

Celtic Still Chasing First Preseason Win

Celtic come into the game still searching for a preseason victory. The build-up has been scratchy: draws against Middlesbrough and Shelbourne, and a heavy defeat to Sporting CP. The results have not sparked panic, but they have not inspired much confidence either.

The stands have told their own story. Only around 5,000 supporters turned up for the Middlesbrough draw, a modest figure at a stadium that usually roars. Discontent over the board’s transfer activity has lingered, though O’Neill has pushed back on the idea that fans are turning away.

“It’s pretty expensive to come to games now,” he said, via GlasgowWorld. “We’ve got a game against AC Milan next week, so if some people are coming to both games, that’s a lot of money.”

On the pitch, there have been a few bright sparks. Camilo Durán, the club’s lone permanent signing of the summer, scored the equaliser against Middlesbrough and is expected to lead the line again. The Colombian’s sharp movement and willingness to attack space have given Celtic a focal point they badly needed in preseason.

At the back, there was a significant sighting: Cameron Carter-Vickers, returning from a ruptured ACL, managed an hour in that same match. He should see more minutes against Milan as he builds toward competitive action. His presence, even short of full sharpness, changes the feel of Celtic’s defence.

O’Neill has more reinforcements available. World Cup returnees Alistair Johnston, Kieran Tierney, Auston Trusty and Yang Hyun-jun are all fit to feature. Daizen Maeda, however, will not play as he closes in on a move to Ipswich Town. His absence removes one of Celtic’s most relentless pressing threats just as they face a side that likes to play out from the back.

History, Stakes and a Glimpse of What’s Coming

This is not a new European dance. Celtic and Milan have met 12 times, with the Italians dominating the record: eight wins, three draws, and just one Celtic victory. The names and managers have changed, the weight of the shirts has not.

For Milan, the trip to Glasgow is part of a demanding summer itinerary. After Celtic Park, they head to Australia for a derby against Inter Milan, before clashes with Chelsea and Manchester United complete their preseason schedule. The real business starts with a Serie A opener away to Torino on August 23.

For Celtic, there is no long tour, no global circus. There is Dundee, and a league title to defend or reclaim, depending on perspective. There is a fanbase demanding more from the boardroom and more fluency on the pitch.

So this friendly sits in an interesting space. On paper, nothing rides on it. No points, no trophies. In reality, it offers O’Neill a final look at his shape, his partnerships, his new signing, his returning leader at centre-back. It offers Amorim a first live test of his ideas in one of Europe’s most unforgiving atmospheres.

One club trying to ignite a stuttering preseason. The other trying to reset its identity under a new coach.

For a match that does not count, there will be plenty to measure.