Ayr vs Celtic

Ayr United will aim to maintain their perfect pre-season record as they host Scottish champions Celtic at Somerset Park on Friday evening for a friendly match.

Earlier in the week, The Honest Men secured a victory against Lowland League opponents, continuing their preparations on a positive note. Meanwhile, Celtic are just beginning their summer training, gearing up for both domestic and European challenges this season. Scott Brown, in his 18th game as Ayr United's manager following a stint at Fleetwood Town, will face his former club where he played 581 matches over 14 years in Glasgow.

Despite the focus on Brown's reunion with Celtic, his managerial record at Ayr United commands respect, having won seven and drawn three of his 17 matches so far. After a mixed 2023-24 season where Ayr finished seventh in the Scottish Championship, narrowly avoiding the relegation playoff, Friday's match marks their third friendly this summer, with recent recruitments and trialists being assessed.

With Brendan Rodgers back at Celtic, fresh from Scottish Cup and Premiership victories last season, the club is yet to make any summer signings but is actively pursuing players who impressed on loan. They face challenges in retaining key players like Matt O'Riley amid transfer interests, while maintaining Rodgers' successful tenure since his return.

The upcoming match between Ayr and Celtic is their first competitive encounter in over two decades, with the last meeting resulting in a 3-0 victory for Celtic in the Scottish Cup back in 2001-02. Ayr United will be without top scorer Anton Davis but will look to new signings like Marco Rus to bolster their squad.

Both teams have players involved in international competitions, affecting their lineup possibilities for Friday's game. Ayr United's potential starting lineup includes talents like Mark McKenzie, while Celtic may field familiar faces like Anthony Ralston, pending his availability after Euro 2024.

Ayr United possible starting lineup: Stone; Stanger, Reading, McMann, Watret; Dempsey, Rus, Henderson; Oakley, Dowds, McKenzie



Celtic possible starting lineup: Bain; Welsh, Nawrocki, Scales, Lagerbielke; Hatate, Iwata, O'Riley; Kuhn, Maeda, Furuhashi