Celtic kick off their pre-season at Tolka Park against Shelbourne FC. The Scottish Champions have been training in Dublin and will look to begin their preparations for the new season with a good showing against The Reds.
It is an eagerly anticipated friendly and marks three years since Celtic played in Dublin, last time facing off against Wolves at the Aviva Stadium in Brendan Rodgers’ first season since returning.
Now, Martin O’Neill returns to Ireland and he will look to see his team progress from the training ground onto the pitch and get some valuable minutes into the legs.
🎥⚽️#ShelbourneCeltic | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/rDFWRMt5EW
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 6, 2026
Team News
Pre-season always results in an opportunity to see fringe players and unusual line ups. Given that Celtic are yet to sign anyone in the transfer window, expect there to be a mix of first team players and youth players, looking to breakthrough into the first team. Guys like Cameron Carter-Vickers will be back in action along with last summer’s transfer misfires like Balikwisha and Yamada.
The players that have been away at the World Cup, such as the Scottish contingent, are not back yet after finally getting a chance to rest up after last season. Meanwhile, players like Daizen Maeda and Alistair Johnston, who went deeper in the tournament, will be a few weeks away from returning. Auston Trusty remains at the tournament.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 6pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on Premier Sports 2 to subscribers. CelticPlayer subscribers will have their first opportunity to use the club’s new streaming platform with the game available to all subscribers.
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1 Comment
Expecting a decent workout today.
Shelbourne should be far more match sharper than ourselves, as they are still only half way through there domestic season?
Even so, will be very interesting to see if MoN, actually is going to make any changes, to the setting up of our team?
Personally think that the 3CB defensive set up, could well be in the reckoning myself?
More importantly, is seeing if any of our youngsters, could potentially give themselves a better chance, of being considered as 3rd choice options, outside of our main 25man European squad, which is going to get formed eventually?
As slow as our incoming signings have been at present. Still happy enough that our ventures into the project market hasn’t developed yet, with given our own youngsters a better potential pathway?
So games like tonight are very important for them, to potentially follow in what Donovan and Murray were able to achieve last season imo?
Really hope a few might be able to impress tonight, to come into the reckoning as players outside of our 25man European squad?
Was required last season, with the amount of injuries in operation. So still need to be prepared in the misfortune of the likes happening again, especially within such a packed and hectic footballing calendar in place these days imo?