Celtic 4-0 Newcastle: Alexander Isak left out as Magpies suffer heavy loss

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe remains "confident" Alexander Isak volition inactive beryllium astatine the nine astatine the commencement of the play aft the striker was near retired of Saturday's 4-0 pre-season affable decision by Celtic.

The 25-year-old's aboriginal has been unclear aft being the centre of transportation involvement this summer.

"I deliberation it's hard for maine to springiness 100% clarity connected immoderate player," said Howe aft the disappointing nonaccomplishment astatine Celtic Park. "I'd ne'er beryllium present and bash that due to the fact that it's shot and you ne'er cognize what tin happen.

"But Alex is blessed astatine Newcastle. He loves the players helium plays with, the staff, the squad and I've ne'er had immoderate contented with him.

"I'm assured he's going to beryllium present astatine the commencement of the season."

Sweden planetary Isak, on with Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, was missed arsenic Howe's broadside were good beaten by the Scottish champions.

Celtic went up aft 28 minutes erstwhile Arne Engels sent Nick Pope the incorrect mode from the punishment spot aft being brought down by Joe Willock wrong the box.

Keeper Pope made a large mistake to acquisition the hosts a 2nd conscionable earlier half-time, rushing disconnected his enactment and failing with an effort to caput a agelong shot wide to let Johnny Kenny to walk it into the bare net.

Newcastle brought connected Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this period for £55m, for his debut astatine the break, but the winger could not marque an impact.

Celtic added a 3rd 7 minutes aft the restart erstwhile South Korean Yang Hyun-Jun slotted past replacement keeper Martin Dubravka from adjacent range.

Despite Newcastle having much possession successful the 2nd half, they conceded a 4th extremity arsenic Liam Scales powered a 75th-minute header into the apical corner.

The Magpies look Arsenal successful their adjacent pre-season crippled connected Sunday, 27 July, successful Singapore (12:30 BST).

On whether Isak volition beryllium portion of the tour, brag Howe added: "Yeah, absolutely. He's portion of our squad. At this infinitesimal successful time, I expect him to come."