Howe Confident 'happy' Isak Will Stay At Newcastle

Newcastle head Eddie Howe remains "confident" Alexander Isak will still beryllium astatine nan nine astatine nan commencement of nan play aft nan striker was near retired of Saturday's 4-0 pre-season friends conclusion by Celtic.

The 25-year-old's early has been unclear aft being nan centre of transportation liking this summer.

"I deliberation it's difficult for maine to springiness 100% clarity connected immoderate player," said Howe aft nan disappointing nonaccomplishment astatine Celtic Park. "I'd ne'er beryllium present and do that because it's shot and you ne'er cognize what tin happen.

"But Alex is happy astatine Newcastle. He loves nan players he plays with, nan staff, nan squad and I've ne'er had immoderate rumor pinch him.

"I'm assured he's going to beryllium present astatine nan commencement of nan season."

Sweden world Isak, on pinch Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, was missed arsenic Howe's broadside were good beaten by nan Scottish champions.

Celtic went up aft 28 minutes erstwhile Arne Engels sent Nick Pope nan incorrect measurement from nan punishment spot aft being brought down by Joe Willock wrong nan box.

Keeper Pope made a awesome correction to gift nan hosts a 2nd conscionable earlier half-time, rushing disconnected his statement and failing pinch an effort to caput a agelong shot clear to let Johnny Kenny to walk it into nan quiet net.

Newcastle brought connected Anthony Elanga, who joined from Nottingham Forest earlier this period for £55m, for his debut astatine nan break, but nan winger could not make an impact.

Celtic added a 3rd 7 minutes aft nan restart erstwhile South Korean nan Hyun-Jun slotted past replacement keeper Martin Dubravka from adjacent range.

Despite Newcastle having much possession successful nan 2nd half, they conceded a 4th extremity arsenic Liam Scales powered a 75th-minute header into nan apical corner.

The Magpies look Arsenal successful their adjacent pre-season crippled connected Sunday, 27 July, successful Singapore (12:30 BST).

On whether Isak will beryllium portion of nan tour, leader Howe added: "Yeah, absolutely. He's portion of our squad. At this infinitesimal successful time, I expect him to come."