Media conference – Shay Given speaks ahead of Celtic v Newcastle United | OneFootball

Shay Given has been speaking in advance of the Celtic v Newcastle United match.

The NUFC legend saying that he hopes United winning the League Cup three months ago will be just the start for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United.

The Celtic v Newcastle United friendly is five weeks on Saturday, a 3pm kick-off on Saturday 19 July.

Shay Given doing this media conference today (watch below) with former Celtic player Stephen McManus at Celtic Park.

Whilst Newcastle United quickly bought up all 7,200 away tickets for the match, reports from over the border say poor ticket sales amongst Celtic fans. So I’m assuming today’s media conference is an attempt to try and get Celtic fans to part with their money and buy tickets for the friendly.

Shay Given speaking in advance of Celtic v Newcastle United:

“It should be a brilliant game.

“Pre-season is obviously about getting the teams fit for the new season but, at the same time, when it’s two big clubs in Newcastle and Celtic, it’s going to be a great game here at Celtic Park.

“I know that the Newcastle away section, over 7,000 fans, is sold out already so I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere as well.

“Newcastle, they’ve got the Champions League next season as well, so this game sets up for two Champions League teams going head-to-head pre-season, so it’s the perfect fixture.

“There might be a few new signings on both teams as well, and it’s always an opportunity for the fans to come along and see the new signings.”

“It’s been amazing for Newcastle, 70 years of domestic hurt when it comes to trophies.

“They managed to get their hands on the League Cup, which was fantastic.

“Then finish off the season by qualifying for the Champions League, which was just the cherry on top of what was a brilliant season from Eddie Howe and the players, and the fans.

“You saw the city for the parade, over 300,000 fans turned out to welcome them back.

“We all hope it’s the start of something special at Newcastle and that’s going to give them the springboard to move on.

“It’s what you need pre-season, there’s no point having loads of easy games coming into the first game.

“It’s a tough game so I think it’s a big test for both sets of players.”

We have put together some of the important upcoming dates for Newcastle United fans, including Champions League ones.

Monday 16 June 2025

Second Summer transfer window opens

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Premier League fixtures released at 9am for the 2025/26 season

Monday 30 June 2025

End of the Newcastle United 2024/25 season financial year

Saturday 19 July 2025

Celtic v Newcastle pre-season friendly with 3pm kick-off

Sunday 27 July 2025

Arsenal v Newcastle pre-season friendly (National Stadium, Singapore) 7.30pm kick-off local time

Saturday 9 August 2025

Newcastle v Atletico Madrid friendly with 4pm kick-off (One ticket covers NUFC Women’s match v Atletico Madrid as well, which kicks off at 1pm_

Saturday 16 August 2025

Premier League season kicks off this weekend

Thursday 28 August 2025

Draw made for the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Monday 1 September 2025

Second Summer transfer window closes at 7pm

Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 September 2025

Matchday 1 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 17 October 2025

Matchday 2 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October 2025

Matchday 3 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 November 2025

Matchday 4 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 November 2025

Matchday 5 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 December 2025

Matchday 6 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January 2026

Matchday 7 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Matchday 8 of the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League

Thursday 30 January 2026

Draw made for the knockout phase play-offs of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 February 2026

Knockout phase play-offs of the 2025/26 Champions League

Thursday 27 February 2026

Draw made for the round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 March 2026

Round of 16 of the 2025/26 Champions League

Sunday 22 March 2026

League Cup final at Wembley.

Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 April 2026

Round of 16 of the 2025/26 Champions League

Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 April, Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 May 2026

Semi-finals of the 2025/26 Champions League

Saturday 16 May

FA Cup final at Wembley

Sunday 24 May 2026

Final round of 2025/26 Premier League matches

Saturday 30 May 2026