Celtic 2-2 Republic of Ireland
Graham Burke, Callum Robinson and Conor O'Malley all got a first taste of action in a Republic of Ireland shirt at a buoyant Celtic Park, where Henrik Larsson made a cameo and captain Scott Brown enjoyed a terrific turnout for his testimonial.
Derrick Williams and Shaun Williams also got a run in front of a colourful and noisy Glasgow crowd.
Alan Browne and Callum O'Dowda twice gave Ireland the lead, with Leigh Griffiths and then Patrick Roberts levelling it up for the hosts.
This was Hoops skipper Brown's day and he was given hero's reception, but Martin O'Neill at least got a glimpse at some fresh faces as he now prepares for the friendlies with France in Paris tomorrow week and the USA at the Aviva Stadium the following Saturday.
O'Neill gave plenty of new boys a runout with Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams both starting.
Jon Walters made his first Ireland appearance since last September's 1-0 home defeat to Serbia in the World Cup qualifiers, partnering Sean Maguire up front.
Both teams were given a rapturous reception in a carnival atmosphere as Hoops supporters hailed combative midfielder Brown while also still basking in the glory of Saturday's Scottish Cup final win against Motherwell, which sealed a second successive domestic treble.
Ireland led after three minutes. Preston's player of the year Browne pounced on loose Celtic passing along their own back line and steered a composed left-footed finish past Dorus de Vries from the edge of the box.
The pace, understandably, was hardly breakneck. Celtic started with several players who were in action yesterday but they eased into it and improved as the half wore on.
Griffiths almost equalised after a mazy dribble but his strike was excellently saved by Colin Doyle.
Maguire was typically busy up top, scurrying off Walters and fizzing with intent. However the Hoops got their leveller four minutes before the break when Griffiths slotted home from close range following good Eboue Kouasse play down the left channel.
O'Neill rang the changes in the second half with O’Malley coming in between the sticks for Doyle, Greg Cunningham replacing Derrick Williams, Matt Doherty on for John Egan, Preston's Callum Robinson getting a first run in a green shirt as Walters made way and Shamrock Rovers man Burke being introduced for Shaun Williams.
And on 58 minutes, Ireland retook the lead. O'Dowda's 25-yarder was well hit but he required a large slice of fortune as it cannoned off the bar and bounced into the net off the back of the diving Celtic substitute keeper Ross Doohan.
Three minutes later, Roberts cancelled it out. The winger, on loan from Manchester City and set to return to the Etihad this summer, scuffed home a goodbye gift for the home fans following overly casual Irish passing from the back.
Larsson brought the house down as he entered the action with just over half an hour to go and the 46-year-old almost got a fairytale goal, forcing O'Malley into a sharp save.
Thanks for making @ScottBrown8's Testimonial even more special, Henrik! 👑 #Broony10 pic.twitter.com/mUzQlRtONH
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 20, 2018
The Swede also bent a free-kick just over the bar while Burke's snapshot whistled well wide before his header failed to really test Doohan.
It finished all square, with Scott Brown lapping the pitch armed with the three domestic trophies Celtic won this year. This was his moment.
For O'Neill and a new-look Ireland, more serious tests await.
Celtic: De Vries (Doohan 46), Hendry, Simunovic, Mulgrew (Larsson 62), Miller (Tierney 77), Brown (c) (McGregor 88), Kouassi (R Hendry 46), Johnston, Roberts (Ntcham 72), Sinclair, Griffiths (Dembele 77).
Republic of Ireland: Doyle (O’Malley 61), Coleman (c), Egan (Doherty 61), Lenihan (Stevens 72), D Williams (Cunningham 61), O’Dowda, Browne, S Williams (Burke 61), McClean, Walters (Robinson 61), Maguire.
