Moritz Jenz and Aaron Mooy obtained Celtic debuts as Ange Postecoglou’s crew put a profitable seal on their pre-season schedule forward of subsequent weekend’s large kick-off.
The champions get the defence of their crown underway in opposition to Aberdeen on residence soil on Sunday week. With new signings Jenz and Mooy launched as second-half subs, Celtic defeated Norwich to finish an unbeaten six-game build-up.
Targets both facet of the interval from Daizen Maeda and David Turnbull had been sufficient to see off the English Championship outfit and set the hosts up for the unfurling of their league flag and the day-one conflict in opposition to the Dons. Successful was a bonus for the boss. By way of the afternoon, it made it 20 objectives in these six pre-season video games shared round a powerful tally of 13 completely different scorers.
By way of the upcoming aggressive motion, the chance to get extra invaluable minutes into the legs of 21 gamers was essential as he altered a complete outfield crew by way of the course of the second interval. Jenz and Mooy had been amongst these post-interval modifications after signing this week to spherical off a constructive day’s work for the Aussie and his troops.
The hosts moved the ball round effectively sufficient within the opening interval with out actually testing visiting keeper Tim Krul earlier than their thirty sixth minute opener. Norwich, who had acquainted faces equivalent to Scotland stars Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean in addition to ex-Celtic attacker Teemu Pukki within the beginning line up, had alternatives earlier than the break.
Pukki glided a header over, whereas harmful vast man Milot Rashica compelled Joe Hart right into a low cease and Todd Cantwell had a strike blocked.
Nevertheless, 9 minutes from the break, Maeda struck with a pleasant again flick.
Norwich wished offside when Matt O’Riley’s tried go spun into the trail of Josip Juranovic, however the flag stayed down and the Croat’s drilled cross to the close to submit was cleverly knocked previous Krul by the Asian ace.
Postecoglou made seven modifications simply earlier than the hour mark with followers getting a primary sight of Jenz as effectively one other take a look at Alexandro Bernabei.
The central defender’s first act was to make a key block and Cameron Carter-Vickers quickly did the identical as the boys from Norfolk hunted a leveller.
Turnbull, although, was subsequent to strike halfway by way of the second half with a candy end to seal a house win.
Slack defending allowed Giorgos Giakoumakis to gather free possession and he shifted a go into his fellow sub.
The playmaker, who nearly moved to the Canaries earlier than signing for Celtic, neatly shifted the ball onto his proper peg and drilled a low end into the underside nook previous Krul’s alternative Angus Gunn.
Mooy changed Hatate with quarter-hour to go as Postecoglou made extra subs and will have scored with a late shot that was blocked, nevertheless it ended satisfactorily for the boss and his crew as they now transfer into the intense enterprise. This is 3 speaking factors from Parkhead.
SELECTION CLUE?
Managers have typically used the ultimate warm-up recreation of pre-season to present their beginning line-up for the primary aggressive outing a recreation collectively. If that’s the case, Postecoglou could have a entrance three of Jota, Kyogo and Maeda up entrance, Reo Hatate and O’Riley beside Callum McGregor in midfield and Greg Taylor and Stephen Welsh within the backline for the Premiership opener in opposition to Aberdeen. Or, having modified everybody of the outfield gamers within the second half, it would simply have been a case of getting the correct minutes into legs. Followers will discover out subsequent Sunday.
REO SO IMPORTANT
With McGregor on the hub and O’Riley within the gap, Japanese ace Reo Hatate was very important shuttling between the pair and his power goes to be essential to the crew within the season forward. Simply as he did in midweek to attain in opposition to Legia Warsaw, the midfielder made a great deal of little darting runs from deeper positions into areas past the principle striker. These sorts of bursts can be essential when Celtic, as standard, face packed defences within the Premiership.
DEPTH OF QUALITY
Postecoglou was capable of put mainly the complete squad on the bench and the 13 subs made an eye-watering line-up for Celtic’s rivals. Within the Premiership, a beginning crew of Siegrist, Ralston, Jenz, Jullien, Bernabei, McCarthy, Turnbull, Mooy, Forrest, Giakoumakis and Abada might win most video games. Add Ideguchi, Johnston and Bain added with the injured Carl Starfelt additionally set to return to the scene and there may be competitors in each single division. The supervisor continues to be looking out for extra signings and the champions have super choices throughout the park.
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