Celtic 1 Man City 1

WELCOME to www.celticfc.net for tonight’s pre-season friendly between Celtic and Manchester City at Celtic Park. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
With the SPL season starting this weekend, tonight marks Celtic’s final friendly outing, with Mark Hughes’ Premiership stars guaranteed to provide a tough test.
Gordon Strachan has named an experimental starting line-up, with Scott Cuthbert partnering Darren O’Dea in central defence, and Thomas Gravesen and Derek Riordan both featuring from the start.
City boss Hughes has picked a strong side, with Micah Richards, Richard Dunne and Martin Petrov all starting.

CELTIC (4-4-2): Boruc; Hinkel, Cuthbert, O’Dea, Naylor; Gravesen, Hartley, Donati, Riordan; Vennegoor of Hesselink, McGowan
Subs: Brown, Caldwell, Caddis, Conroy, McCourt, McDonald, Millar

MAN CITY (4-4-2) Hart; Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Garrido; Johnson, Petrov, Fernandes, Etuhu; Vassell, Bojinov
Subs: Schmeichel, Ball, Onuha, Evans, Ireland, Ben Haim, Sturridge

The game kicks off. Celtic seem to be playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Gravesen, McGowan and Riordan supporting Vennegoor of Hesselink

City attack on the right but Scott Cuthbert covers the danger

Vassell takes possession on the left wing and looks to race past Cuthbert. The young defender does enough to put him off and win a goal kick

First shot on goal for City. Garrido bombs down the left wing and feeds Vassell, who flicks a pass into Johnson's path. The shot goes well wide.

The game is being played out in midfield. City haven't really threatened, and neither have Celtic

Hinkel's long ball is headed on by Vennegoor of Hesselink. Riordan chases but Joe Hart easily gathers. At the other end, Petrov drifts inside and curls a shot wide of target. Boruc never looked troubled.

O'Dea is penalised for a foul on Bojinov. Petrov takes the kick and Hartley charges it down bravely

Good chance for City. Petrov gets round the outside and fires across goal. Cuthbert deflects it wide and Celtic clear the corner.

Kelvin Etuhu makes progress down the right wing, but his show goes high and wide.

Naylor swings a free kick to the back post. Vennegoor of Hesselink climbs highest, but nobody can meet his knockdown

Naylor is chopped down by Johnson 40 yards from goal. Riordan takes the free-kick and the danger is cleared

Gravesen takes possession 25 yards out and finds Riordan. He slides a shot past Hart's right-hand post.

Tenacious play by McGowan in the middle of the park sets Celtic off on attack. Gravesen eventually looks for Riordan at the back post, but the cross is too high

HALF-TIME: CELTIC 0 MAN CITY 0 - Very few chances to report at Celtic Park as both sides play well within themselves in this pre-season friendly.

Second half kicks off

Celtic have brought on Caddis and Samaras for Gravesen and Vennegoor of Hesselink

Caddis makes progress down the right and finds McGowan in the box. City clear the danger

Vassell is sent free on the left side of the box. He only has Boruc to beat, but the Hoops goalkeeper stands up

Hinkel plays a pass to Samaras, who turns and releases McGowan. He surges on, cuts back and sends a shot wide of target

Good save from Boruc. Vassell meets a cross at the front post, but the Pole saves at the second attempt

Important covering from O'Dea as Celtic have to defend under pressure

O'Dea fires a free-kick into the box, Samaras flicks on and Richards clears

Double sub for Celtic - Riordan and Hartley off for debutants Paddy McCourt and Mark Millar

McCourt takes up a position on the left wing. Millar is playing in central midfield

Caddis attempts to find McGowan. City clear again

Great chance for McCourt. Caddis skins Corluka and picks him out at the back post. The winger's volley flies wide

Petrov tries a free-kick from 35 yards. Boruc could have caught it with his eyes closed

McCourt shows some neat footwork to link with Samaras and almost release McGowan

City keep possession well as Celtic attempt to find a way back into the match

Man City sub - Ireland on for Etuhu

Boruc has to race off his line to thwart Vassell, who was sent through

Good chance for McGowan. Caddis links with Hinkel and slips a pass to the striker. His shot is wide

Penalty shout for Celtic. Caddis leaves three players in his wake as he races into the box. He is upended but play is waved on

Caddis wins a free-kick after a mazy run and Celtic enjoy some pressure. Man City survive

Chance for City. Evans races past Naylor and Boruc is forced to save again

Brilliant work from Caddis almost results in winner for Celtic. The wideman cuts the ball back to McGowan and he crashes a shot off the bar

Millar gets in on the act this time. Driving forward, he slams a shot just wide of target

FULL-TIME: CELTIC 1 MAN CITY 1 - McGowan scores his first goal for Celtic to give the SPL champions a 1-1 draw. Martin Petrov scored for City.