Confirmed – Celtic to visit Somerset Park to play Ayr Utd for first time in 25 years

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated 5/24/24

Ayr United have confirmed that Celtic will be the visitors to Somerset Park on Friday 5th July to take part in a pre-season friendly.

The south Ayrshire side, which is of course managed by the former Celtic captain Scott Brown, is celebrating the opening of its new North Stand with a grand opening visit from the Scottish Champions.

The Ayr Utd v Celtic match will kick-off at 7.45pm.

On their social media account on X, Ayr United gave the following update to supporters.

“The Club are delighted to announce that Celtic are coming to Somerset Park on 5th July, for the first time in 25 years, for a Pre-Season Friendly to mark the opening of the new North Stand. It’s sure to be a match you don’t want to miss! Tickets on sale soon.”

The Club are delighted to announce that @CelticFC are coming to Somerset Park on 5th July, for the first time in 25 years, for a Pre-Season Friendly to mark the opening of the new North Stand.

It’s sure to be a match you don’t want to miss!

Tickets on sale soon.#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/ChAdd7Kzof

— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) May 24, 2024

Earlier this week we reported on speculation south of the border that Celtic will travel to England to take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday 7th July. That could possibly still happen as Celtic would easily have enough players to cover the two matches.

Celtic’s last visit to Somerset Park was on 13 October 1999 where Celtic ran out 4-0 winners although The Celtic Wiki notes that this was “distinctly tougher than the scoreline appear to say. Ayr never gave up but kept plugging away.” All the goals came in the second half from Viduka 59, Blinker 65, Mjallby 72, Petta 88.

John Barnes was the Celtic manager and afterwards he said: “I was disappointed with the first-half performance, but all credit to Ayr for making it that way. They were a handful in attack.”

Here are the match highlights…