The real reason why Alexander Isak is missing from Newcastle United’s friendly with Celtic
Reason for Alexander Isak’s Absence from Newcastle’s Pre-Season Clash with Celtic Revealed
Newcastle United fans were left wondering about the notable absence of star striker Alexander Isak from the squad that faced Celtic in their opening pre-season friendly – part of the inaugural Adidas Trophy held at Celtic Park. The Magpies’ return to action, marking their first pre-season game in front of fans ahead of a crucial 2025/26 campaign, was eagerly anticipated, with around 10,000 travelling Geordies making the journey to Glasgow.
However, while head coach Eddie Howe was pleased to include recent signing Anthony Elanga in the squad, the omission of Isak — one of Newcastle’s standout players from last season — quickly became a talking point among supporters and pundits alike.
Isak Absent Amid Ongoing Groin Management
The reason behind Isak’s non-involvement is not related to transfer speculation, despite the recent interest shown by Liverpool. Instead, the club appears to be managing the Swedish international’s fitness with caution. Isak, 25, had been dealing with a groin issue throughout much of last season — a problem serious enough to rule him out of Sweden’s post-season international fixtures.
Initially, concerns were raised when Isak wasn’t seen in early footage of Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Austria. However, those fears were put to rest when he was later spotted joining the camp alongside midfielder Sandro Tonali. Despite his presence in training, Isak has yet to be named in a matchday squad this summer, and his exclusion against Celtic suggests the club’s medical and coaching staff are taking a conservative approach to his return to competitive action.
Respected journalist Chris Waugh of The Athletic confirmed that the striker’s playing time is being carefully managed. Though Newcastle have not officially addressed his omission publicly, sources suggest that Isak’s groin is still not at 100%, prompting a phased return strategy as the club prepares for a demanding season on multiple fronts.
Liverpool Interest Dismissed, Newcastle Firm on Isak Future
Isak’s absence inevitably reignited speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool, especially after reports emerged earlier this week that the Reds had made an informal approach to Newcastle. Liverpool supporters remain hopeful of a potential double swoop for Isak and fellow forward Hugo Ekitike. However, Newcastle remain firm in their stance that Isak is not for sale and remains a vital part of their plans.
The Tyneside club is determined to retain its core group of players as they prepare for another season of top-flight and European football, and Isak — who netted 21 goals in all competitions last season — is considered central to those ambitions.
Other Notable Absentees: Joelinton and Lewis Hall
Isak wasn’t the only big name missing from the squad for the Adidas Trophy fixture. Midfielder Joelinton was also left out of the team, continuing his recovery from a knee injury that disrupted the final stages of his previous campaign. The Brazilian missed the final three games of last season and has since admitted in interviews that he found the injury difficult to manage. Nevertheless, he has returned to training and is expected to play a part in later pre-season fixtures as his condition improves.
Similarly, young defender Lewis Hall was not included, as expected. Hall is still recovering from a season-ending injury and is being given additional time to regain full fitness. His spot in the squad has temporarily been filled by fellow full-back Matt Targett.
A Special Night Despite Key Absences
Despite the absence of a few key players, the occasion itself carried plenty of significance. Newcastle United made history by sending the largest away support ever seen at Celtic Park, with an estimated 10,000 fans cheering from the stands. The game also marks the debut of the Adidas Trophy, a pre-season tournament introduced to showcase clubs under the Adidas sponsorship umbrella.
Both Newcastle and Celtic are set to feature in the upcoming UEFA Champions League season, making this clash an intriguing preview of the level of competition they’ll face in Europe. For Newcastle, it also represented a chance to lift early-season silverware — albeit unofficial — and continue building momentum ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
While fans may have hoped to see Isak and Joelinton in action, the decision to rest them is ultimately a prudent one, ensuring that two of Newcastle’s key contributors are fully fit for the challenges that lie ahead. With more pre-season fixtures on the horizon, their return to the pitch may only be a matter of time.