Camilo Duran set to become a real asset for Celtic

Camilo Duran set to become a real asset for Celtic

Martin O’Neill took time after Celtic’s encounter with AC Milan, to highlight how Camilo Duran has the potential to be a real asset for the club moving forward into the new season…

Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates scoring opening goal with James Forrest to make it Celtic 1-0 AC Milan during the Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The Irishman watched his side’s final pre-season match of the summer from the touchline and was pleased with many aspects of what he had bore witness to at Celtic Park, as the image of Flag Day now begins to appear on our horizon. Celtic host Dundee on Monday, 3 August for that one and the gaffer hopes the hard graft throughout our summer will stand us in good shape.

“Yeah, I was very pleased with a lot of things that we did. We pressed strongly for for periods of the game. We took a few goals as well too.

“And yeah, other than a little period just after halftime conceding the penalty and then a 10-minute spell where we weren’t in control. I thought considering it was AC Milan, I thought we did really well,” O’Neill said to CelticPlayer.

Camilo Duran of Celtic in action during the Celtic v AC Milan match in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

When asked about the instant impact of Camilo Duran since arriving at the football club, the manager reckons that if the South American can stay fit and injury free, we may have a real asset on our hands.

“I think I said to said to you last week, I think if he stays clear of serious injury, I think he’ll be a real asset to us,” he said. “I think he’s a a really fine footballer,” an optimistic Celtic manager revealed.

On the events that led to the second goal for the perennial James Forrest, of which the Colombian played a major role in, O’Neill continued: “Yeah, he did. I mean, he read the situation brilliantly. The pass back to the goalkeeper, he intercepted, come around and then ended up giving it to James. It was a great goal.”

The Saint was delighted with elements of our press on the day, but admitted we got too lax in the second period, allowing the Italians back in after two Francesco Camarda goals.

Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock

“We were doing really well,” he added. “I mean, AC Milan can keep the ball as well, too. But we knew when to press at good times and then we knew when to stay off them.

“We got just a little bit, maybe a we bit casual just in the start of the second half. You know, it’s not a word that I would use too often about our team, but that seemed the case. We conceded the penalty, but again, that I I thought the last 15 or 20 minutes we came on strongly again,” the 74-year-old Hoops boss confessed.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill arrives at the ground ahead of kick off in the Celtic v AC Milan in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Martin also thinks that the lads are getting there with their fitness, although advised that only real games will bring that match sharpness back.

“Right. Well, we are, in terms of fitness, I think we’re getting there,” the Irishman intimated. “It’ll probably take a few games regardless how much preseason you do. I know this from personal experience that you only get your proper fitness in after a game or two.”

Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock

Whilst the pre-season fixtures have been good for building that initial fitness, O’Neill insisted that now attention turns to the real deal against Dundee next week.

“But we’ve tried as much as possible, you know, to alternate and and players coming on, players coming off and getting minutes here and there, but at the end of it all, the main test is is is next week,” he claimed.

“We hope to have, you know, Trusty’s coming back as well, too. So, that’s encouraging. Liam, of course, is suspended for the two games, the first two games of the season. So, we’ll have to change things around, but we’ve got another week and for me now, the last pre-season now that’s out of the way and we just get our minds mentally and physically ready for for next week,” the gaffer confirmed.

Watch Martin O’Neill’s full post-match interview below with CelticPlayer…

Paul Gillespie

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