​James Forrest of Celtic FC during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendly match at Estadio Algarve on July 14, 2026 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues Getty Images)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat said the scoreline in any pre-season friendly matters not a lot and with eight first teamplayers missing due to their World Cup commitments, it’s hard to make any real comparisons or draw too many conclusions.Yes, Sporting CP had players missing too but they maintained their identity in their first half performance and were head and shoulders above Celtic.Celtic FC pose for a photo Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 14 July 2026A lgarve Estadio Algarve Portugal Photo Zed Jameson IMAGO/ShutterstockThe second half with so many youngsters being given minutes was no more than a training exercise with the highlight being our one new summer signing Camilo Duran coming off the bench to make an immediate impact in scoring what was Celtic equaliser ahead of the late flurry of Portuguese goals.Celtic now return to Scotland to play two friendlies at Celtic Park where there isn’t a great deal of enthusiasm from supporters – judging by online comments – to attend the games against Middlesbrough or AC Milan.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPerhaps a few new signings coming in the door would help boost the attendance levels?The Celtic squad actually deceased in size last night as Shin Yamada was sent out on a season long loan deal to OH Leuven in Belgium. The club signing clearly hasn’t impressed Martin O’Neill enough to merit retention and perhaps hints that Brendan Rodgers was right all along last summer?Martin O’Neill spoke to the mainstream media after the match and the Celtic manager was evidently very pleased with his new striker Camilo Duran who reminds him of Daizen Maeda.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPerhaps that was the intention all along, with Daizen clearly wanting to leave this summer after his Celtic exit being frustrated last summer through the failing in the recruitment at the top of the club.Camilo Duran of Celtic FC celebrates a goal Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 14 July 2026. Photo Zed Jameson IMAGO/Shutterstock“I said, ‘This is Daizen Maeda the second!’,” MON said after the 4-1 defeat. “I do think he’ll be a proper player, not just because he closed down and scored the goal.“He does like to press, absolutely. He scored and there were a couple of moments that didn’t quite bounce his way. I think he’ll be really decent for us, I genuinely do.”Fans of Celtic FC. Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 14 July 2026. Photo Zed Jameson IMAGO/ ShutterstockAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementArne Engels of Celtic FC (L) tries to escape Silas Andersen of Sporting CP (R) during the Sporting CP v Celtic FC Pre-Season Friendl