Martin O’Neill has revealed that Celtic faced Partick Thistle in a bounce game prior to their clash with Shelbourne.
Celtic drew 1-1 with Shelbourne in Dublin in their first friendly of the 2026 pre-season, in front of an 8,000-strong crowd.
But some Hoops men had already been given a run-out behind closed doors, as O’Neill pushes to have his players ready for the beginning of the season next month.
Speaking after the game in the Irish capital, he revealed the previous clash at Lennoxtown.
✅ First pre-season friendly ticked off…
What did we make of the performance?
Martin O’Neill: Partick Thistle ‘bounce game’ aided preparations
O’Neill said after the game: “The run out [vs Shelbourne] was important for us as much as anything else, obviously changed the side round at half time so it was good.
“We had a bit of a bounce game against Partick Thistle, which was good for us as well too.
READ MORE: Dermot Desmond makes rare appearance at Celtic pre-season opener vs Shelbourne
“Up at our training ground a few days ago and here this is a good workout for us.
“It gives me a chance under more strenuous circumstances to look at some of the younger players and an opportunity for our lads, the senior boys, to try and get fit.”
He also provided an update on Celtic’s pursuit of Camilo Duran, saying: “Tim [Williamson], our physio, has gone down to meet up with him and I think that that’s going to happen.
“I think that he should join us in Portugal, certainly in the next 24 hours.
“He’s still very young. What he can do is hold up play. I think he’s strong in that department. I do think that he will be a good addition. Famous last words.”
Finally, on more incomings, the Parkhead boss said: “Absolutely. We have been making inroads into it, like everything else.
“Sometimes you get thwarted with things.”
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Celtic’s remaining pre-season preparation
We could get our first sight of Duran in Hoops next Tuesday, as the Celts travel to the Algarve to face Sporting CP in a rematch of a pre-season friendly last year.
They then return to Glasgow, where they face beaten Championship play-off finalists Middlesbrough four days later, on July 18th.
On the last weekend before the season begins, European royalty come to Celtic Park, as AC Milan face O’Neill’s men on July 25th.
The Scottish Premiership defence begins against Dundee on Monday, August third.
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