Eddie Howe Hails ‘Great Opportunity’ as Newcastle Prepare to Face Celtic in Pre-Season Friendly
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed his delight at the prospect of facing Celtic in a pre-season friendly at the Scottish club’s home ground, Celtic Park, on July 19th. The match is part of the Adidas Trophy final, and Howe believes it presents a great opportunity for his team to test themselves against a top-class opponent.
According to reporting from Celts Are Here, Howe had previously rejected the chance to become Celtic manager in the summer of 2021, opting instead to remain out of the game before eventually taking over at Newcastle in November 2021. Ange Postecoglou was subsequently appointed as Celtic manager and has since gone on to achieve great success, winning five out of six domestic trophies.
In an interview with Celts Are Here, Howe stressed that his decision to turn down the Celtic job was due to his inability to bring in his preferred backroom staff. “Having a trusted team is crucial in such a high-pressure role,” he said. “Without the chance to work with my key assistants—Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone, and Dan Hodges—I felt it wouldn’t have been fair to either me or the club to accept the job.”
The Celts Are Here report also noted that Newcastle’s pre-season preparations will be boosted by the match against Celtic, who defeated the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in pre-season last year. Howe is eager to test his team against a top-class opponent, saying: “Travelling to Glasgow to face Celtic is a great opportunity to test ourselves as we gear up for Premier League and European football next season. We’ll face a top team at an historic ground, with a big away crowd there to support us.”
Celtic’s success under Postecoglou has been well-documented, and Celts Are Here report that the Scottish club’s fans will be eager to see how their team performs against Newcastle. The match against Celtic will be an important test for Howe’s team as they prepare for the new season, and the Newcastle manager is relishing the opportunity to face a top-class opponent.
Howe’s decision to reject the Celtic job in 2021 may have ultimately benefited the Scottish club, as Postecoglou has gone on to achieve great success. However, Celts Are Here report that Howe remains a highly respected coach, having secured Champions League football with Newcastle in 2023 and won the EFL Cup this season, ending the club’s 70-year domestic trophy drought.
The pre-season friendly between Newcastle and Celtic promises to be an exciting match, with both teams looking to make a statement ahead of the new season. According to Celts Are Here, the match will be a great test for both teams, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the encounter.
For more information visit: Celts Are Here.
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