Celtic won 2-0 against Norwich on Saturday afternoon with a decent and professional performance against the English Championship side.
Even in the second half, when Celtic made seven changes, the bhoys still dominated the game and made sure Norwich were feeding off scraps.
It’s a positive end to pre-season for the bhoys. Most of the friendlies the Scottish Champions have played this season
1. Maeda and Reo Hatate look right up for this season and could prove pivotal in the success of the team this season. Both men looking much sharper than they did last season.
2. Don’t count David Turnbull out! The midfielder got on the scoresheet after coming on as a second half substitute. David is someone who isn’t really spoken about when we talk about this upcoming season, but his composure and technical ability on the ball could see him make a big impact.
3. Aaron Mooy got 15 minutes at the end of the game, but it’s clear to see the new bhoy is rusty. It could take him a little while to get up to speed and have that match sharpness. In comparison, Moritz Jenz looked tidy and purposeful with the ball.
Pre-season is now done and dusted for the bhoys and we get down to the serious business next week.
The most impressive team and management performance of this close season so far imo.
Ange knows who he can trust now, and was more tactical with his substitutions, gearing up for next weeks league opener.
The new players are slowly finding their feet in this team.
Bernabei had his best minutes so far on the park today, despite a couple of slack passes when he first came on; going to take a little longer than we expected when he first signed for him to cement a starting place, but he looks like he’s learning fast.
Jenz looks like a solid addition at Centre Back; I’d like to see him form a partnership with CCV as they look like they have the makings of a decent CB pairing.
Mooy slowly eased into the game, and his confidence grew the more minutes he played.
I could go on… I’d still like to see us bring in one more winger.
Would love to know Ange’s thinking with 2 x left wingers in first half and 2 x right wingers in second ??? …especially when there was very little interchanging of sides, if any. I also agree with Chris Sutton’s comments that Jota is much more effective on the left.
Any player who has great footballing skills will have a target not only on their back, but their knees, ankles, ribs and jaws.
Scottish footballers are renowned for late tackles, over the ball tackles. And horrifically over the shinpad tackles.
So the Hoops will have to warn them about such.
Great to see the squad gelling early though. See what’s what in ten weeks time. Angers style bodes well for the future.