Celtic start pre-season with win over Queen’s Park as Killie edge derby

Celtic captain Callum Mcgregor attempts a shot towards goal

Mark Atkinson

5 Jul 2025 - The Scotsman

Celtic posted a 1-0 victory over Queen’s Park in their first pre-season match of the new campaign last night.

Manager Brendan Rodgers fielded two different teams in each half at the City Stadium against their Glasgow rivals, with captain Callum Mcgregor, midfielders Arne Engels and Luke Mccowan plus centre-half Auston Trusty the only recognisable first-team players in the squad.

That quartet played the first half, in which Irish striker Johnny Kenny fired the visitors ahead from close range against their Championship opponents in the 19th minute.

Goalkeeper Ross Doohan made his first appearance for Celtic since returning to the club from Aberdeen earlier in the summer and he played 63 minutes of the match. Fellow new signings Hayato Inamura and Callum Osmand watched on from the stand.

At Rugby Park, Kilmarnock were the victors against near rivals Ayr United in Rory Mckenzie’s testimonial.

The first half was goalless, with Mckenzie missing the chance to open the scoring on 43 minutes when his penalty kick was saved by Ayr keeper David Mitchell. Killie took the lead just moments into the second period when Greg Kiltie capitalised on a poor clearance from Mitchell to net the only goal of the match.

In Spain, Hearts ended their pre-season training camp with a 3-1 win over Crawley Town.

Strikes from James Wilson, Alan Forrest and an own goal at La Finca gave Derek Mcinnes’ men the win over the English side.