Newcastle United travelled to Glasgow hoping for a sharp, encouraging start to their 2025–26 pre‑season. Yet the 4–0 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park offered little in the way of reassurance, and plenty to ponder. With plenty of chopping and changing and a Celtic side far more settled, we learned very little about the Magpies. Instead, three clear head‑scratching issues emerged.
- No. 1 Goalkeeper? More Like No Plan at the Back
Nick Pope’s drop off is no secret, but today’s outing may have been his lowest yet. Harried and indecisive, his distribution again fell short, and his calamitous decision to charge off his line and leap for a clearance only to let the ball bounce over him for a simple tap‑in was unforgivable. In a moment when Newcaslte could least afford to gift a goal, Pope laid it on a plate. His outing underlined a harsh reality: Newcastle lack a keeper of the required quality for where they want to be. A replacement must be signed, and fast.
- The Academy Gap: Too Wide to Ignore
Another disappointing theme was the gulf between the seniors and the youngsters. Alex Murphy, Joe White, and Will Osula all saw meaningful minutes but showed nothing resembling readiness for sustained Premier League football. Osula was busy enough, but lacked precision. Murphy looked calm but unable to cope with senior football and White stumbled when asked to dictate pace or tempo, falling well short.
That drop‑off is stark. Howe needs to build reinforcements, not just hope for a sudden rise from the academy alone. Signing more capable, experienced, or ready-to-develop young bodies should be top priority.
- Isak’s Absence: Planned or Problematic?
Alexander Isak was another absence from the showpiece, not through injury, but management. Eddie Howe confirmed he “sent him home” to shield him from transfer noise . Though he insisted he’s “confident as he can be” Isak will still be a Newcastle player at the start of the season, the move underscores growing uncertainty and concern among fans.
With Liverpool yet to finalise the Ekitike deal, and Saudi clubs reportedly preparing a bid of around £130 million, the fact that the club feels compelled to exclude their top scorer from a match, ostensibly to protect him from distraction, will not inspire confidence. Add in a transfer window that’s so far yielded only Anthony Elanga for £55 million, supporters are left asking, if Isak was to be sold, would the club be able to identify, and more importantly, sign, a replacement.
Final Verdict: More Questions Than Answers
When pre‑season is over, we’re happy to shrug off losses. But yesterday’s display, rooted in defensive confusion, youth without bite, and star uncertainty, leaves a nagging sense of missed opportunities. Eddie Howe deserves backing. He built a continental-challenging squad that finished fifth and won the League Cup.
Yet yesterday showed just how thin the squad remains, and how little has been achieved thus far in the transfer window. Howe requires reinforcements in goal, depth in attack, and at least one more senior midfielder and defender before the season starts.
As it stands, the only certainty is this: Newcastle started pre‑season in need. Fans will hope that, soon enough, those above Howe make the rest of us feel the same.
