In Celtic’s first pre-season fixture, they faced an Abbey Hey side in a punishing pre-season fixture list that has seen them play four matches already.
As per usual, different sides played in each half. The first half saw Celtic under considerable pressure. Three times, Elliot Wynne saved Celtic, especially at the twenty-minute mark when he flew across his goal to push a powerful strike onto the post. He saved his best until last. Right before the interval, one on one, he came out on top. Celtic’s best chance of the half fell to Aaron Dwyer, but he, too, found a keeper on top form. In the second half, Celtic looked more attack minded. Jordan Burton with a low drive before both he and Gabriel Mooney-Munoz somehow contrived to both miss an open goal. Matty Bryan’s run opened Abbey Hey up, one-on-one. He drew the keeper, squared, and his attacking partners earned a corner. James Dwyer’s header on the corner cleared off the line. That proved decisive when Abbey Hey got a free kick around the box, which Jake Parker curled up and over into the top corner, leaving Connor Leach little chance. Celtic lined up from: Elliot Wynne, Darius Smith, John Pritchard, Charlie Doyle, James Dwyer, Greg Wilkinson, Aaron Dwyer, Ethan Padden, Jaques Etia, Max Harrop, Jamal Crawford, Connor Leach, Jake Kenny, Omar Ibrahim, David Edwards, Alex Kiwomya, Michael Brewster, Matty Bryan, Jordan Burton, Gabriel Mooney-Munez