Celtic kick-off US tour with comfortable win over MLS side in Washington

Celtic have kicked off their US tour with a comfortable win over MLS side DC United in Washington.

The Scottish champions ran out 4-0 winners in the American capital on Saturday night (early hours of Sunday morning UK time) with goals from James Forrest, Mikey Johnston and a double from Matt O’Riley.

Celtic also missed a penalty in a dominant victory in the first game of their pre-season tour that will also see them play English Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea.

Brendan Rodgers started the game with a mix of youth and experience with academy players Colby Donovan and Matthew Anderson starting alongside the likes of Stephen Welsh, Tomoki Iwata, Reo Hatate, Luis Palma and Kyogo Furuhashi.

O’Riley, who started the game as captain with Callum McGregor on the bench, hit a first-half double to give the Hoops a 2-0 lead at the break.

New signing Viljami Sinisalo was brought on for his debut when he replaced Scott Bain at half-time with Yuki Kobayashi, Odin Holm, Yang and Johnston also introduced to the action.

On the hour-mark Rodgers made further changes with McGregor, Forrest, Bosun Lawal, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor all coming on.

And it was 3-0 soon after when Johnston fired past the goalkeeper to secure the win for Celtic.

Veteran winger Forrest, approaching his 16th season with the Parkhead side, then put the icing on the cake to make it 4-0 before Johnston missed a late spot-kick.