Tony Mowbray will fly to Moscow in the morning in buoyant mood after his Celtic side hammered Egyptian Champions Al Ahly 5-0 at Wembley tonght in their first of two games in the Wembley Cup. The former West Brom manager is on a spying mission ahead of their Champions League clash with Dinamo Moscow next week.

Scott McDonald scored twice, while Massimo Donati, Shaun Maloney and Chris Killen were also on the scoresheet as the Egyptian and African champions were swept aside, although Dinamo Moscow will provide a sterner test on Wednesday when it really matters. Celtic have not conceded a goal in three pre-season matches and will play Tottenham on Sunday in their final Wembley Cup fixture before their European qualifier against the Russians.

New signing Danny Fox made the trip down to Wembley to sit on the subs bench after the youngster signed from Coventry earlier in the day.

Celtic should have been ahead in the opening minutes of the game after McDonald stabbed towards goal but Amir Abdel Hameed turned McDonald’s effort around the post, Glen Loovens then headed over from the resulting corner with the net unguarded.

Artur Boruc was required to save when Francis Doe Forkey raced through on goal, but Celtic still looked the bigger threat and hit the woodwork twice in one move shortly afterwards. Fortune struck the crossbar first after muscling his way through, then Maloney hit the post when he latched onto the rebound.

The opener came in the 31st minute, with Hossan El Badry’s side failing to clear the ball in defence. McDonald charged a clearance down but even then there was an opportunity to boot the ball into touch. However Massimo Donati was allowed to sneak the ball through and round the keeper Hameed before cooly slotting the ball into he back of the net. McDonald added a second from the penalty spot six minutes later, earning the spot-kick himself after getting on the end of Aiden McGeady’s through-ball and being brought down by Hameed.

After half time, Maloney added another, receiving the ball from McGeady before firing into the bottom corner after outfoxing his marker with a dummy. McDonald a fourth for Celtic into the top corner of the Egyptians goal after cutting in from the left when Lee Naylor slid the ball to him. And Chris Killen rounded off the rout with a calm finish from 6 yards out.

All in all it was an efficient performance from Celtic, who now look ahead to the Spurs match on Sunday with the knowledge that if they secure a victory or a draw in the game and Barca do not beat their score against Al Ahly then the Parkhead side will win their second piece of silverware in pre-season. Whle the players relax and train ahead of Sunday’s match, Mowbray will take in a spying trip in Moscow before flying back for Sunday’s game.

Match Highlights:

Tagged with: al ahly, Celtic, friendly, preseason, wembley cup

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