Scottish champions Celtic will kick off their pre-season campaign with a friendly match against League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne at Tolka Park in Dublin on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 6 p.
m.
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Manager Martin O'Neill faces limited squad options due to ongoing World Cup commitments, forcing the club to rely on academy graduates and returning fringe players alongside senior figures like Callum McGregor.
The match offers emerging talents such as Joseph Haney and Kyle Ure a chance to secure first-team minutes while the club continues to seek senior reinforcements for the upcoming season.
O'Neill Reflects on Management Challenges
Speaking to club media late last month, O'Neill discussed his continuation at the club and the exhausting nature of management.
"I'm here at least another year, it depends on results like everything else but yeah, it was strange in the sense that if I'd been asked about it a day after we'd done it (the double), I don't think I would have the energy," he said.
The veteran manager explained that he tried to look past his immediate fatigue during the brief summer break to evaluate his true desire to stay.
"I suppose deep down really, if I'm being honest about it, probably think if you felt ok about maybe late July, August or September time and things had moved on without you, then you think, 'oh gosh, maybe I would like to have stayed on' or something I guess."
