Celtic vs Athletic Bilbao LIVE REACTION as Turnbull goal seals win after Bernabei’s second equaliser on drarmatic night
CELTIC finished their pre-season with a dramatic and morale-boosting win against Athletic Bilbao.
A quickfire second half double from subs Alexandro Bernabei and David Turnbull was enough to win the day after three first half goals.
Iker Munain robbed Tomoki Iwata to restore Athletic Bilbao's lead after Reo Hatate had atoned from the error which led to Gomez' shock first minute opener by firing in a fine leveller.
It's also Brendan Rodgers' first game back at Celtic Park since his stunning return as manager - with the Green Brigade section of the ground largely EMPTY.
After closed-door friendlies against Portimonense, a remarkable 6-4 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos wasn't the most auspicious start to the Japanese tour, but a 1-0 win over Gamba Osaka gave boss Rodgers a bit more to smile about.
Then the Hoops drew 1-1 over in Dublin against Premier League side Wolves at the weekend.
Read more Celtic stories
- Celtic first half XI: Siegrist, Iwata, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Taylor; Kwon, McGregor; Forrest, Hatate, Maeda; Kyogo.
- Celtic second half XI: Bain, Ralston, Starfelt, Scales, Bernabei; O'Riley, Holm; Forrest (Yang 49), Turnbull, Abada; Oh
- Athletic Bilbao XI: Unai Simón, De Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, I. Lekue, Lesga, De Galarreta, Unai Gómez, I Williams, Muniain, Villalibre
Goodnight
That's all from a wet and windy Celtic Park, and that's all from us.
Stick with Sunsport for the match report and all the reaction from James Forrest's big night against Bilbao.
And of course, we'll have all the best build-up in print and online to Saturday's big cinch Premiership kick-off as the SPFL returns all across the country.
See you then!
IN QUOTES
Everyone says it's my night but the effort my family have put in, and what they've had to go through.
It's a collective thing - it's my night but it's everyone's, the fans, the staff and you can't do it without any of them.The second half team did really well.
James Forrest
Credit: PA Lap of honour
James Forrest leads the players around Celtic Park and takes his bow on his big night.
Goals, goals goals
Here's a recap
Hatate levelled...
Credit: Kenny Ramsay It lasted just a minute though
After the break and James Forrest's substitution Celtic levelled with a nice build-up and finish from Alexandro Bernabei.
Credit: PA Then Turnbull put the Hoops ahead
Credit: PA ⏱️ FULL TIME
Celtic 3
Hatate 37, Bernabei 65, Turnbull 70
Athletic Club Bilbao 2
Gomez 1, Munian 38
88 - Celtic 3 Athletic 2
No surprise who the man of the match at Parkhead is tonight.... James Forrest!
81 - Celtic 3 Athletic Club 2
Oh clips a little ball over the top into Abada's path. The big Korean has distributed the ball over the place tonight without threatening in front of goal.
It's a lovely little supply though and Abada tries to round Simon but the keeper scrambles the ball away on the ground.
75 - Celtic 3 Athletic Club 2
What a chance that was for Celtic.
Yang slides in on the rain-slicked pitch to meet Alexandro Bernabei's outswinger but the new recruit can't keep it down.
73 - Celtic 3 Athletic 2
What a change in atmosphere at Celtic Park.
After that slow start the Hoops fans are doing the Huddle in the stand, and the players are little more than 15 minutes away from a winning end to pre-season.
Credit: PA
69 - GOAL CELTIC!
David Turnbull sends the Hoops ahead!
Never mind hang on to the level pegging, the Hoopps have gone one better and the home side are ahead.
After his pre-assist for the equaliser, Turnbull lifts up Oh's cutback over Simon's dive and into the net.
GOAL CELTIC!
Alexandro Bernabei converts from Matt O'Riley's supply.
Lovely first-touch passing. He started and finished the move, including David Turnbull too.
That's the Argentinian's second of pre-season.
Can the Hoops hang on longer than a minute!?
Credit: PA 58 - Celtic 1 Athletic 2
Abada sends a lovely strike at goal and Simon is down sharp.
Great effort, very unlucky for the 49th minute sub.
57 - Penalty?
Mat O'Riley thinks so.
he drives a David Turnbull lay-off at goal and it's blocked.
The Danish under-21 wants a penalty but Willie Collum isn't interested in his appeals.
53 - Celtic 1 Athletic Club 2
Oh has a shot blocked for a corner and Alexandro Bernabei sees a strike sail high into the stand.
Better opening to this half than there was the first for Celtic!
52 - Celtic 1 Athletic Club 2
Certainly noticeable how Celtic have played the ball around the back and the goalkeepers' apbility with the ball at their feet.
First it was Benjamin Siegrist, and now Scott Bain. Both taking the ball in their six-yard area under pressure and keeping their cool.
49 - Celtic 1 Athletic 2
And there it is, appropriately in the 49th minute, James Forrest makes his way off.
He's afforded a standing ovation from the fours sides of Celtic park and hands over the captain's armband to David Turnbull
OFF - James Forrest
ON - Liel Abada
Still on
James Forrest was the only Celtic player to re-appear for the second half, but how long will he be given before his inevitable standing ovation?
Credit: Kenny Ramsay 46 - We're back
Back underway at Parkhead and it's a whole new look.
Big night in the spotlight
It was all about James Forrest pre-match at Celtic Park.
Credit: PA 
Credit: PA 
Credit: PA 
Credit: PA He even had a pop at goal himself!
CelticÂs James Forresthas an attempt on goal during the pre-season friendly match Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday August 1, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Celtic. Photo credit should read: Robert Perry/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.Credit: PA Celtic 1 Athletic Club 2
HALF TIME AT CELTIC PARK
45 - Celtic 1 Athletic Club 2
Great pace and then turn inside by Daizen Maeda.
He cuts into the box and blasts at Simon, but the visitors' keeper beats it away.
Decent chance to end the half.
44 - Celtic 1 Athletic 2
The Hoops subs are gathered ina group - maybe sheltering a bit from the wind and rain together - as they warm-up.
There are a few due on at the break.
42 - Celtic 1 Athletic Club 2
It's a wet and wild night in the east end
Bilbao have another corner just before the break, but the home side see it away.
GOAL ATHLETIC CLUB
Blunder from Tomoki Iwata and Munian thumps the ball high beyond Benjamin Siegrist.
What a couple of minutes at Celtic Park!
GOAL CELTIC!
Redemption for Reo Hatate as the midfielder puts the hosts level!He tucks the ball inside the post with a low drive.
Credit: Kenny Ramsay