Celtic’s three-game unbeaten run in pre-season was brought to an end in eventful fashion just over a week ago when they lost 6-4 away against Japanese outfit Yokohama F Marinos.
However, the Hoops concluded their tour of Asia on a high when they secured a slender 1-0 victory over Gamba Osaka last weekend, with left-back Alexandro Bernabei netting the only goal of the game five minutes from time.
Brendan Rodgers was pleased that his side kept a clean sheet three days after conceding six goals, and the Celtic boss was encouraged by the “heart” shown from his players to grind out the hard-fought victory.
Celtic’s upcoming clash with Wolves was initially scheduled to take place in South Korea before the Premier League side pulled out of their tour of Asia, but the rearranged fixture in Dublin provides an opportunity for the Hoops to cross the Irish Sea and celebrate their Irish roots with the locals.
The Glaswegian giants have previously visited Republic of Ireland’s national stadium three times in 2011, 2013 and 2016 to face the likes of Inter Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona. Their most recent visit was against the latter with Rodgers at the helm during his first spell in charge, but the La Liga side picked up a 3-1 win in the International Champions’ Cup.
Saturday’s contest with Wolves will be followed by James Forrest’s testimonial against Athletic Bilbao at Parkhead, before they begin the defence of their Scottish Premiership title at home against Ross County on August 5.
After beating Vitoria 2-1 and Farense 1-0 in Portugal, Julen Lopetegui’s side played two hour-long matches against Blackpool at Compton Park, with a 2-0 success in the first game followed by a 4-0 loss.
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Wolves then headed back to Portugal and returned to winning ways on Tuesday when they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over last season’s Primeira Liga runners-up Porto, with Pedro Neto scoring the only goal of the contest.
The West Midlands side are now gearing up for their first trip to Ireland since 2014 when they beat both Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians in warm-up fixtures. Wolves’ only previous meeting with Celtic, meanwhile, was in July 2011 when they secured a 2-0 friendly win in Glasgow.
After taking on the Hoops in Dublin, Lopetegui’s men will return to Molineux for games against Luton Town and Rennes before beginning the new Premier League season away against Manchester United on August 14.
