GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Celtic Chief executive Officer Michael Nicholson (L) and Chief Financial Officer Chistopher McKay during a UEFA Europa League Play-Off First Leg match between Celtic and VFB Stuttgart at Celtic Park, on February 19, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
There are strong player connections between the two clubs from Willie Fernie and Bobby Murdoch through to Chris Morris, Derek Whyte and Andy Peyton.
Gordon Strachan managed both clubs, taking Barry Robson and Stephen McManus with him to Middlesbrough.
More recently Juninho and Kelechi Iheanacho have played for both teams.
At one time Tony Mowbray was a hero to both sets of fans, his 1992 Testimonial at Ayresome Park wasn’t the smartest idea. There were battles and pitch invasions throughout the day.
Coming from a Brexit/Reform stronghold the idea of playing Middlesbrough in pre-season isn’t the smartest. But that is something that Celtic fans are used to from their club.
Don’t forget your union flags everyone ?
— Ted Striker (@Dabs06721990971) June 21, 2026
Published at 1.12pm on June 21.
Celtic produced one tweet over the weekend, a subtle attempt at creating sales for the recently launched third kit.
On Monday morning there was no mention of the Middlesbrough match on the Celtic website.
??? A Lion returns to Lisbon
Join Jim Craig as he revisits the Estádio Nacional, the scene of Celtic’s greatest triumph ?
Watch in full on YouTube ?#CelticFC?
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 21, 2026
Since the formation of the Celtic Fans Collective last September the club has been going on about the need to improve supporter engagement and communications.
The club are so committed to the idea that they are creating a job of Fan Engagement Officer.
So far the club has come up with an App. Another way for fans to spend money although Not Another Penny has choked that income stream since last October.
CELTIC WHERE SILENCE IS STANDARD
The Middlesbrough friendly falls between matches against Sporting Lisbon and AC Milan.
With the Sporting Lisbon match just over three weeks away there has been no additions to the Celtic squad.
All eight players involved in the World Cup Finals won’t be involved. Other internationalists such as Liam Scales and Vil Sinisalo are likely to be one week into their pre-season programme.
Martin O’Neill has been named as manager but 11 days after that news he has yet to be interviewed by Celtic TV about his plans for the season.
Yesterday the Daily Record claimed that Celtic are about to open talks with Boca Juniors to sign Marcelo Saracchi on a permanent basis.
Other than that there is very little transfer rumours that stand up to inspection.
Various foreign reports have surfaced listing Celtic among clubs interested in Player X, Y or Z. Forty-eight hours later the story is dead in the water.
The announcements that Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham will be first team coaches is expected this week.
UPDATE: At 10am Celtic announced the exciting fixture.
The Board has done absolutely hee-haw to generate some goodwill,
and improve its relationship with the support.
That now comes across as a very deliberate, and self-harming, strategy taken by DD / the Board.
IF we don’t qualify for the CL this time, it’s just going to kick off again – but earlier this season. 🙁
Sevco right wing fans will try to organise a blood bath in the run up to this match and no doubt some Celtic pub will see its windows trashed sadly !