SNS GroupCeltic fell to a 5-1 defeat by Ajax in their penultimate pre-season friendly in Como.
The Hoops were looking to build on impressive wins over Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle and were the better team in the first half.
Yang Hyun-jun slotted home a quickfire equaliser for Celtic after Steven Berghuis had curled the opener. The South Korean winger latched on to Reo Hatate’s through ball after Kieran Tierney’s wonderful long pass had opened up the Ajax defence.
The Dutch side took control immediately after the interval. Davy Klaassen scored on the rebound and Berghuis got his second after a misplaced pass from Benjamin Nygren deep in his own half.
Spectacular long-range strikes from Aaron Bouwman and Rayane Bounida made it a difficult finale for the Scottish champions.
The defeat means there will be no swift reunion with winger Nicolas Kuhn, who watched from the stand following his recent move to Como. Ajax will now take on the hosts in the final of the Como Cup while Celtic will face Asian Champions League winners Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
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