Al-Ahli Saudi v Celtic – Hopefully we get to see Yamada and Osmand tonight

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·26 July 2025

Al-Ahli Saudi v Celtic – Hopefully we get to see Yamada and Osmand tonight

This evening will see Celtic play our last pre-season game against Al-Ahli Saudi FC before the start of the Scottish Premiership season next Sunday when St Mirren are the visitors for our annual flag-day…

COMO, ITALY – JULY 24: The Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium ahead of the Como Cup match between Ajax and Celtic FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 24, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Tonight Celtic’s opponents will be Saudi side Al – Ahli in the second game of the Como tour, and the AFC Champions league holders will prove to be a stern test as they bolster players such as Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney, and Allan Saint – Maximin in their ranks.

OneFootball Videos

Naturally you’d expect Brendan to ring the changes to give some more players a run out with the season opener almost upon us, and that should include the likes of recent new signing Shin Yamada (if his international clearance has been approved), and another new recruit in Callum Osmand who many supporters are keen to see in action.

Celtic new Japan striker Shin Yamada is unveiled during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Yamada was named as a sub for Thursday evenings clash with Ajax, but that UEFA red tape scuppered his chances of being involved as he was pulled from the squad an hour before kick-off in a match that Celtic eventually lost 5-1 despite looking the better team in the first half which ended 1-1 with Celtic hitting the bar twice. We would end up rueing those missed opportunities as Ajax put in a lethal second half showing to punish Celtic’s failing in front of goal.

We haven’t seen much of young Callum either and it would be good to see him get a longer run out to see what he is capable of.

Callum Osmand signs for Celtic. Photo Celtic FC

Both Yamanda and Osmand are natural attacking players, and that is what we are crying out for at the moment, it makes sense to give them game time. So let’s see Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand this evening to see what they can offer to our attack.

Most of all we would like to see a strong Celtic performance and a victory in Como after the embarrassment of the 5-1 defeat to the Dutch side on Thursday night. The Celtic players certainly owe it to the Celtic supporters who have travelled to Lake Como in numbers – including two writers from The Celtic Star – to see a good performance and a few goals for the Hoops.

Celtic fans in the stands Ajax v Celtic, Como Cup Pre Season Football, Football, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy – 24 Jul 2025Como Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia Italy. Photo Shutterstock IMAGO

COYBIG

Read this – The backstory to Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

Thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered the late David Potter’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books. The link to pre-order your copy is below…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.