Pre-season friendly
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Kenan Stadium Chapel Hill, North Carolina

CELTIC... 4
(Nicolas Kuhn 13 & 36, Kyogo 44, Palma 75)

MANCHESTER CITY... 3
(Bobb 32, Perrone 46, Haaland 57)

A Nicolas Kuhn double inspired Celtic to a fantastic 4-3 win over English Premier League champions, Manchester City as the Bhoys’ tour of the USA yielded another victory, this time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The first chance of the game fell to Nico O’Reilly who shot past the post after good build-up play involving Jack Grealish.

Celtic were a threat at the other end in the opening minutes, too, with Daizen Maeda’s pace causing problems down the left wing, and his cross for Kyogo produced a shot at goal from Celtic’s Number 8.

Brendan Rodgers' side took the lead in the 13th minute with an impressive goal.

A wonderful first-time pass from Reo Hatate found Matt O’Riley who expertly picked out Nicolas Kuhn, free on the right.

The German winger advanced into the box unchallenged and calmly slotted a right-foot shot past Ortega to send the Hoops fans in the Kenan Stadium wild.

Celtic were the better team and they almost doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Kyogo’s shot towards goal was saved.

Kasper Schmeichel was making his Celtic debut and he showed signs of what was to come with a signature block on and Erling Haaland shot midway through the first half preventing the Norwegian striker from equalising. The Danish keeper showed exactly why Brendan Rodgers is so pleased to have him at the club.

Celtic’s number one did it again a few moments later, denying Haaland from point-blank range when it looked certain he would score.

The equaliser did eventually come on 32 minutes, Oscar Bobb’s shot trickling over the line despite Schmeichel’s valiant effort to prevent the ball from finding the net.

It didn’t stay level for long, though, and Celtic were soon back in front. Kuhn once again showed class and composure, moving the ball from his right foot to his left before curling his shoot into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

And Kuhn almost provided Hatate with a third for Celtic, but the Japanese midfielder’s shot went wide of the post.

With half-time approaching, the Bhoys broke up field with O’Riley feeding Kuhn, and the German winger confidently bent a fantastic pass with the outside of his left foot into the path of Kyogo.

The Japanese striker took one touch to control and another to cooly round the City keeper to give the Scottish Champions a 3-1 lead at the break.

However, Pep Guardiola's side pulled a goal back right at the start of the second half through substitute Maximo Perrone.

And they were level on 57 minutes when Oscar Bobb’s cross was headed home by Haaland who rose above Scales at the back post to give substitute goalkeeper, Viljami Sinisalo no chance.

Brendan Rodgers made a further seven changes to his outfield with 25 minutes to go, and two of those substitutes combined to give Celtic the lead again.

After James Forrest played in Kwon, who had broken the offside trap, the Korean used his pace to sprint into the box and set up Luis Palma for an easy tap-in.

Ben Knight was then denied an equaliser by Sinisalo who tipped the youngster’s shot over the bar as City pushed to get back on level terms once more, but Brendan Rodgers' side remained resolute to see out the game and record another impressive win.

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