Newcastle player ratings as Anthony Elanga tops the charts after Celtic defeat

Newcastle United endured a disappointing pre-season outing as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against Celtic in the Adidas Cup final at Parkhead, where a rain-soaked Glasgow evening exposed several frailties within Eddie Howe’s squad.

The match quickly turned into a nightmare in the first half as the Magpies struggled to find rhythm or resilience.

Defensive lapses cost them dearly, with two early goals from Arne Engels and Johnny Kenny capitalizing on uncharacteristically poor decisions at the back. Willock’s clumsy foul handed Celtic a penalty, which Engels converted confidently.

Minutes later, a misjudged clearance from Nick Pope gifted Kenny the chance to double the lead — one he didn’t waste.

Celtic didn’t slow down after the break, punishing Newcastle further when Hyunjun Yang added a third, putting the game to bed before the hour mark.

It was a sobering evening for Howe’s men, who were left with little to celebrate as their preseason campaign took a significant blow. Still, the match provided insight into individual performances, both good and poor, under pressure.

Nick Pope’s afternoon proved mixed. While he pulled off a couple of important saves, his mistake leading to the second goal overshadowed his earlier contributions, earning him a modest rating.

Kieran Trippier had a quiet game by his standards, offering little impact on either flank. In central defense, Fabian Schar looked unsettled and was fortunate not to score an own goal, thanks to Pope’s save from his panicked clearance.

Sven Botman also found himself exposed, unable to assert control. On the left, Matt Targett showed more attacking intent, making forward runs and trying to link play.

In midfield, Bruno Guimaraes attempted to dictate the tempo but struggled to impose himself fully. Lewis Miley had a solid showing, trying to make things happen and impressing with his work rate.

Joe Willock, unfortunately, endured a rough game, picking up a shoulder knock and conceding the penalty that broke the deadlock.

Out wide, Jacob Murphy had bright spells, showing flashes of creativity, while Harvey Barnes looked energetic but lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble Celtic’s defense. William Osula offered some threat upfront, testing the goalkeeper with three decent chances.

The second half brought changes, with Martin Dubravka replacing Pope in goal. He too had a tough time, left exposed and conceding twice without much fault.

Emil Krafth struggled noticeably, with two Celtic goals originating from his side as Daizen Maeda proved too much to handle. Jamaal Lascelles made his first public appearance in over a year and managed to see out the half, which in itself was a promising sign after injury setbacks.

Dan Burn, still finding his fitness, looked off the pace and picked up a yellow card for his efforts. Youngster Alex Murphy fought hard but may benefit more from a loan spell to gain experience.

Sandro Tonali showed flashes of his class with sharp passing and control, though his introduction came too late to change the result.

Joe White barely left a mark, and Lewis Miley, making a second-half return, couldn’t halt Celtic’s momentum. One of the day’s few bright spots was Anthony Elanga, whose pace and drive brought urgency to a flat Newcastle side.

Anthony Gordon also brought some spark, but by the time he entered the game, it was already out of reach. William Osula returned in the second half but didn’t enjoy the same success he had earlier, with fewer chances falling his way.

Late substitutions Travis Hernes and Sean Neave arrived too late in the game to earn ratings, having not met the 15-minute threshold for assessment.

Overall, it was a day filled with frustration and harsh lessons for Newcastle. The defensive mishaps, lack of cohesion, and subdued performances painted a clear picture there’s still a lot of work to be done before the Premier League season begins.

However, glimmers of individual promise, especially from Elanga and Tonali, offered at least some encouragement in an otherwise forgettable encounter.