Pointers from Celtic’s pre-season
Several players used the pre-season to build momentum. Auston Trusty may have claimed his position as a first-choice centre-half and was arguably Celtic’s most consistent performer across the summer. Luke McCowan continued his steady progress, contributing goals and link play. Yang provided directness and threat, while Yamada, though limited in minutes, showed coolness under pressure and looks very promising indeed.
Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
New signing Hayato Inamura looked tidy at left-back, and Benjamin Nygren injected creativity in the central midfield despite being expected to play out wide.
But for Rodgers, the bigger story was the tactical shift. The team appears to be moving toward quicker transitions and vertical passing, perhaps with European football in mind, a notable contrast to the slower, more deliberate possession style of last season.
Despite encouraging signs, Rodgers was clear in his post-match interviews – Celtic must strengthen up front.
Celtic FC coach Brendan Rodgers looks on before the Como Cup match between Al-Ahli and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The loss of Kyogo and Nicolás Kühn has left a major gap in creativity and goals. While youth and squad depth were on display, Rodgers repeatedly emphasised the need for top-end quality to match the club’s ambitions and it’s difficult to argument with that assessment.
Celtic’s pre-season gave fans reason for optimism. Dominant wins, strong individual performances, and signs of tactical evolution. But defensive lapses and a shortage of natural finishers and creative wide players suggest there’s work to do.
With Rodgers calling for reinforcements and the league season about to kick off, how the board responds could prove decisive in shaping the club’s fortunes as Celtic move on to competitive action with Flag Day against St Mirren next Sunday.
Niall J
Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter
Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.
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