Celtic 2 Norwich 0: Turnbull shows Canaries what they’re missing as Maeda finds net and Mooy and Jenz make Hoops debut
CELEBRITY chef Delia Smith took her place in the Parkhead directors’ box.
But it was Celtic who cooked up a win against her beloved Norwich ahead of next week's big kick-off.
Canaries owner Smith watched on as Daizen Maeda and David Turnbull goals saw off the Championship side.
Ange Postecglou had the recipe for success last season and hopes the ingredients are all in place again.
The pre-season stats are pretty positive - six signings, six games, no defeats and 20 goals scored.
This was also a welcome clean sheet for Celtic after defensive lapses in their last four friendlies.
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New Bhoys Mortitz Jenz and Aaron Mooy also made debuts just days after joining the Hoops.
The German defender and Aussie midfielder did fine as they both eased their way into Parkhead life.
Postecoglou will no doubt see things to work on but this was a good Celtic display against a side aiming for the Premier League.
Barring the injured Carl Starfelt, his squad is at full strength as they look to defend the Premiership title.
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The Hoops boss is now fully focused on the opening match against Aberdeen next weekend.
His starting line-up probably gave an idea of his plans for the Dons’ visit on Sunday.
Joe Hart was in goal behind a back four of Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Greg Taylor.
Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley were in the middle, with Maeda up top alongside Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi.
Postecoglou used 21 players in total as he fine-tuned his preparations for the new season - with Hart the only man to get 90 minutes.
Norwich, with Scotland stars Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean in their team, are building for a promotion bid after relegation.
There was also a Parkhead return for Teemu Pukki, who had a disappointing two-year stint between 2013 and 2015.
Norwich boss Dean Smith predicted a “tasty” clash and McLean left Hatate in a heap inside 30 seconds.
Not that it stopped the Japanese midfielder having a bright start as he roamed around the pitch with intent.
Hatate was everywhere in the early stages, looking to probe and create chances for his team-mates.
Celtic continually got into good positions in the first 15 minutes but couldn’t find that final ball.
Norwich hadn’t shown much in an attacking sense but Pukki almost robbed Hart on his six-yard line.
The Hoops keeper lived dangerously as he let the ball roll across his goal and ended up putting it out for a corner.
Pukki then flicked a header on to the roof of the net as Norwich began to show some life in the final third.
O’Riley has had a good pre-season and should have connected with Jota’s cross in 20 minutes.
Welsh picked out the Portuguese winger but the midfielder couldn’t flick the cross on target.
Norwich attacker Milot Rashica didn’t have any problem doing that when he unleashed a shot in 24 minutes.
His low drive from 20 yards looked destined for the bottom corner but Hart produced a top save.
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Kyogo headed over from a tight angle on the half-hour mark after O’Riley picked him out.
Todd Cantwell then had a volley blocked by Carter-Vickers before Celtic’s opener in 36 minutes.
The USA defender started the move with a pass to Jota on the right wing and he then fed O’Riley.
His shot was deflected into the path of Juranovic, who looked to be standing in an offside position.
Norwich appealed for a flag but it never came and Celtic took full advantage.
Juranovic fired in a low cross and Maeda showed great improvisation to send a backheel past Tim Krul.
Norwich boss Smith wasn’t happy and Scotland pals McGregor and McLean also got involved in a heated debate after a late tackle.
The Celtic captain was fired up and almost made it 2-0 just before the break.
Taylor found O’Riley in the box and he teed up McGregor - but Hanley blocked his goalbound shot.
It was a low-key start to the second period before Postecoglou made seven subs just before the hour-mark.
Celtic were still trying to settle again when Norwich’s Andrew Omobamidele almost forced in the equaliser.
Giorgos Giakoumakis made a mess of a simple pass to fellow sub James Forrest as the Hoops wasted a chance to go clean through.
Up the other end, Hart had to make another good save to deny Norwich dangerman Rashica.
That proved important as Turnbull made it 2-0 for Celtic with a clinical finish in 66 minutes.
Hatate won the ball high up the pitch and found Giakoumakis, who teed up the midfielder.
Turnbull still had work to do but showed great composure to sidestep a challenge and find the bottom corner.
The Scotland star almost joined Norwich in 2019 and gave them a reminder of what they missed out on.
Liel Abada fired wide as Celtic almost grabbed a third, but Hart also made a good save from Josh Sargent.
Mooy also eyed a debut goal when he picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box.
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But the Aussie’s low shot was charged down as Celtic had to make do with 2-0.
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Overall, it was a deserved win for the Hoops and an ideal run-out before their title defence begins.
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