Celtic secured a 1‑1 draw in Dublin on July 7, 2026, when Shin Yamada struck a dramatic 90+1 minute equaliser against Shelbourne at Tolka Park. The late goal preserved Celtic’s unbeaten pre‑season record and gave fans a glimpse of the attacking spark the Hoops hope to carry into the new campaign.

How did the match unfold?

Celtic opened the friendly with a line‑up that featured Cameron Carter‑Vickers returning from a serious injury suffered in October. Shelbourne, already deep into their League of Ireland season, pressed early, with Joey Wuna forcing a save from Ross Doohan within minutes. James Roche’s long‑range effort rattled the post just before the half‑hour mark, but the score stayed level. A hydration break at 27 °C gave both sides a brief respite before Shelbourne’s Harry Wood gave the hosts the lead with a penalty in the 87th minute after Adam Montgomery hauled James Bailey down.

Who turned the tide?

Just seconds after the penalty, Yamada found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a low drive that beat the keeper at the far post. The 90+1 minute strike forced a collective sigh from the Celtic bench and secured a point for the visitors. It was Yamada’s first goal for the Hoops, and the timing could not have been better for a side looking to fine‑tune its attacking options ahead of the Premiership.

What does this mean for Celtic’s preparation?

The draw comes as Celtic sit third in the Scottish Premiership with 67 points after 33 games, boasting a recent form of five straight wins (WWWWW). Their solid defensive record of 35 conceded this season sits alongside 59 goals scored, giving a +24 goal difference. The result keeps the squad’s confidence high after a 3‑1 victory over Dunfermline on May 23, 2026, and maintains momentum as they head into their next fixture at home against Middlesbrough on July 18, 2026.

Which players stood out?

Beyond Yamada’s heroics, young left‑back Joseph Haney made a crucial interception just before halftime, while Liam Kennedy threatened from the edge of the box in the second half. Shelbourne’s Daniel Kelly and Sean Moore combined well, but a sliding block from Maik Nawrocki denied a clear chance. Celtic’s manager praised the fitness of Carter‑Vickers and the depth shown by the squad, noting that the entire starting XI was rotated after the break.

What’s next for the Hoops?

The friendly offered a useful test of squad depth and set‑piece execution ahead of the league’s opening weeks. With a home clash against Middlesbrough looming, Celtic will likely keep the core that delivered the late equaliser while fine‑tuning defensive shape. Fans will be watching to see if Yamada can turn his debut goal into a regular scoring threat as the title race tightens, with Celtic currently three points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian.