Following Callum Wilson’s exit and the failure to sign Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike, Newcastle have been left alarmingly short up top. Remove Isak and they appear toothless, which is unnerving given his durability will be tested across 2025-26 with the additional demands of Champions League football.

Newcastle are beaten 4-0 by Celtic in their first pre-season fixture, with striker Alexander Isak left out of the Magpies squad.

Celtic took the lead before the half hour mark after Joe Willock was penalised for a foul inside the penalty area. Arne Engels stepped up and sent Nick Pope the wrong way to make it 1-0 to the hosts. A Pope error then made it 2-0 as Johnny Kenny stroke the ball into an empty net just before half-time.