As it happened: Celtic 2 - 6 West Ham

That's all from me, and I hope you enjoyed today's coverage. Head to VAVEL.com for more articles and reports from the weekend's other pre-season fixtures.

The Scottish side's inexperienced defence struggled today, and they look in need of further reinforcements if they are to challenge Rangers this season...

We were good going forward in spells but our defence might be the worst it's ever been

We need signings in all Defensive areas and fast

That's the biggest takeaway from today's match 🍀

— Celtic Fc To The Core (@CelticFc_Core) July 24, 2021

A very convincing win for the Premier League side who run out 6-2 winners thanks to 3 goals in each half. David Moyes will be pleased with his team's performance on his return to Glasgow.

Celtic made lots of changes in the second half, but they will have to be much better when they travel to Denmark on Wednesday. They were beaten comfortably in the end, but did threaten at stages during the first-half.

All in all a very entertaining pre-season fixture.

If you add 6 or 7 quality players to this team! We’d be a force this season. We are still waiting on our 3 best players to come back aswell. Our youngsters looked good against Southend too!

Come on Moyes! Let’s get our transfers all sorted asap and get this season started! 👊🏼⚒

— Sam (@Sam6WHU) July 24, 2021

It had to be him.

The 19-year-old winger, who had limited opportunities during his time at Celtic, gets in on the act. His first attempt is blocked, but he finds the bottom corner with his second strike across goal. He enjoyed that one, and West Ham are enjoying their afternoon.

Some supporters are heading for the exits.

10 minutes remain and the home side have struggled to build any momentum since making 10 changes.

Important to note this is only a pre-season game, but West Ham have been impressive this afternoon. The 18,000 fans in at Celtic Park will be disappointed by their team's performance.

Oko-Flex comes on against his former club, along with Frederik Alves. Dawson and Benrahma come off.

The Algerian playmaker had an opportunity to double his tally moments before being replaced, but was unable to show the same composure he had for his first goal, and was denied by a good Bain save.

It didn't take long for Bowen to make his mark up top, and he gets West Ham's fifth by guiding Benrahma's cross into the far post with a clever, deft touch. 

A very good finish from a player who gets better every week. Big season ahead.

Michail Antonio departs after a top-class display, and he is replaced by Ben Johnson.

Despite the young full-back's great goal on Wednesday, he will not be playing as a centre forward this afternoon, and it will be Jarrod Bowen up top.

25 minutes remain and it looks like West Ham have this one wrapped up.

Manuel Lanzini comes off for Conor Coventry to give the talented youngster another run-out.

Whilst I was watching that Benrahma goal on repeat it appears Celtic have made ten changes. All of their outfield players have been replaced.

Wow.

Another blistering counter-attack from the Hammers and its Fornals again with the through ball.

He finds Benrahma in acres of space and what follows is sublime. The Algerian drives at goal, fakes his shot to sit down the defender and the 'keeper, and then passes into an empty net. A special goal from a special player.

Ryan Christie does well to drift in at the far post and get to the ball before Fredericks.

His effort goes straight down the middle, but Randolph makes a mess of it, and it goes in off the post. Celtic will be encouraged by their start to this half, and now only trail by one. 

Superb tackle from Issa Diop to end a promising early Celtic attack through Christie. The tempo of this half is similar to the start of the game. Lively.

West Ham take kick-off to get the second half underway. 

Both teams have changed their 'keepers, with Bain on for Barkas, and Randolph on for Fabianski.

The referee's whistle brings the Michail Antonio show to a close.

Celtic were faster out the blocks and took a deserved early lead early on, but couldn't deal with West Ham's forward from then onwards. A very enjoyable pre-season fixture with the game being played to a good intensity.

The home team will be hoping for an improved second-half performance, and will not want to be embarrassed ahead of their massive game on Wednesday night.

West Ham have controlled the game since Celtic took an early lead.

The hosts look dangerous when they get into the final third, but lacking a cutting edge, shown as another chance flashes wide from a good area.

Noble steps up and there was only going to be one outcome.

He sends the 'keeper the wrong way to extend his side's advantage. Could have done with him on that night at Wembley a few weeks ago...

Michail Antonio wins a penalty. Only a friendly, but an unbelievable individual performance so far.

GOAL. 

A blistering counter-attack from the visitors and West Ham lead. Celtic's inexperienced defence are struggling to deal with Michail Antonio, and the striker raced on to Fornals' through ball before finishing past Barkas.

The 'keeper got his angles all wrong, leaving the left-hand side of the goal empty, and Antonio made him pay. 2-1.

GOAL!

Fantastic footwork and composure from Antonio to draw us level!#CELWHU 1-1 (24) pic.twitter.com/y32k7m9YUG

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 24, 2021

Another defensive error and the scores are level here.

Murray misplaces a pass out from the back which is intercepted by Hammers captain Mark Noble. After latching onto the ball, the skipper feeds Michail Antonio who rounds Barkas before tapping into an empty net. A composed finish from West Ham's number 9.

It should be 2-0.

Ryan Christie delivers an excellent cross from the left, finding the head of Edouard who has the beating of Cresswell at the far post, but he nods wide from close-range. A golden opportunity squandered.

Losing and an injury in 10 minutes. This is the West Ham we love. pic.twitter.com/z2kGW5ZuZD

— chris (@whuchr) July 24, 2021

Both teams catching their breath after the flurry of opportunities early on.

The away side beginning to enjoy the greater share of possession, moving the ball well.

8' - #CAPTAINCALLUM! 👊

🍀1⃣-0⃣⚒️#CELWHU | #COYBIG

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 24, 2021

This is like a basketball match!

A frantic start with several chances for both sides inside the opening 10 minutes. The hosts lead through McGregor's strike, but there could easily have been 3 goals already.

GOAL. 

McGregor robs Lanzini of possession on the edge of the West Ham penalty area after the Argentine was unable to control Aaron Cresswell's throw-in. The Scotsman proceeded to drive at goal before curling one past Fabianski. A great finish.

Bowen had a chance for the visitors immediately after but was denied by another brilliant Barkas save.

Angelo Ogbonna is replaced by Issa Diop. The Italian centre-half limped off after going down without being challenged. A worrying sight for Hammers fans.

An electric start in Glasgow!

Barkas makes a great one-on-one save to deny Michail Antonio after the forward burst into the area following an impressive run. West Ham's talisman should be finishing those, but a great stop nonetheless. Chances for both sides early on.

Celtic looking dangerous in the opening minutes of this one.

Ogbonna makes a vital interception inside his 6-yard box to cut out Christie's attempted cross to Edouard.

Celtic take-kick off and we're underway!

10 minutes until kick-off at Celtic Park!

18,000 fans are at the stadium to watch what should be an exciting game. The return of supporters makes such a difference, and hopefully the players feed off the atmosphere this afternoon.

Live match updates to follow...

As speculated previously, Fabianski is back in the side after returning from his post-Euros break. 

Transfer rumours in recent weeks have linked West Ham with moves for Alphonse Areola and Sam Johnstone, but any arrival in the goalkeeping department will have to battle for the number one spot with a man who was top-drawer last season.

👋 @LukaszFabianski #CELWHU pic.twitter.com/tK4O056yui

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 24, 2021

Both managers have named near enough full-strength sides, so we should be in for a great game this afternoon! Moyes includes the likes of Ogbonna, Bowen and Antonio in his starting eleven, while McGregor captains the hosts with Edouard leading the line. Celtic's lineup is perhaps surprising, with key players included despite Wednesday's crucial Champions League qualifier.

📋 Our team news for #CELWHU is in!

Here's how the lads line up this afternoon at Celtic Park...

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 24, 2021

📋 Our team news for #CELWHU 🍀⚒️

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬! 🟢⚪️#WelcomeHome 🤝 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/gZvYoC6moz

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 24, 2021

Di Canio will always be remembered as a West Ham legend, but he did make 26 appearances for the Bhoys during the 1996/1997 campaign.

Icon.

Embed from Getty Images

The last meeting between these teams was over 20 years ago when Harry Redknapp’s Hammers travelled north to face Martin O’Neill’s team in a July 2000 friendly. 

 

Celtic ran out 2-1 winners on that occasion, Tommy Johnson and Stiliyan Petrov scoring for the hosts, while Paolo Di Canio scored for West Ham against his former team.

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🏟 This afternoon’s settings#CELWHU 🔜 pic.twitter.com/61kMEvsqut

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 24, 2021

West Ham boss David Moyes is very familiar with today's opposition. The Scotsman played 35 times for his boyhood team, winning the Scottish Premier Division title in 1981/82.  Moyes was born in Glasgow, and spoke fondly about returning to the city for today's game...

(Twitter: @WestHam)

“Anybody who knows anything about football would say they’re excited about going to Celtic."

The Boss is looking forward to tomorrow's trip to his boyhood club...

— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 23, 2021

Hammers 'keeper Łukasz Fabiański could make his first start of pre-season after returning to training this week, following international duty with Poland at Euro 2020. Declan Rice, Vladimír Coufal, Tomáš Souček and Andriy Yarmolenko will be unavailable as they continue to recover after also featuring at the tournament, while Winston Reid is away at the Tokyo Olympic Games with New Zealand.

 

New Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is expected to name a mixed team due to the upcoming second leg of the Champions League qualifier which takes place on Wednesday. However, he will be keen to build the fitness of his squad, meaning the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Tom Rogic could play a part today, following their return from injury.

The game is being shown on Premier Sports, while West Ham Club London Members and Season Ticket Holders can also watch for free on the club website. 

 

For LIVE match updates online, follow along here with us at VAVEL.com

Celtic vs West Ham will get underway at 3:00pm.

This afternoon's match will be West Ham's fifth pre-season game as preparations for the 2021/22 campaign continue for the Hammers. Less than 3 weeks remain until the start of the season, so supporters will be hoping for an encouraging performance today.

 

Celtic's season, on the other hand, is already underway. The Bhoys played their first competitive match on Tuesday night, drawing 1-1 with Danish side FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg.

 

A goal apiece in the first-leg of our #UCL Second Qualifying Round.#CELFCM

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 20, 2021

 

Celtic Park is the venue for today's game, with 18,500 Celtic season-ticket holders set to attend what should be a very entertaining pre-season match.

 

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Good afternoon and welcome to VAVEL UK's coverage of today's pre-season friendly between Celtic and West Ham. My name is Joe Barnbrook, and I will be providing you with live updates throughout this fixture.