Hatate the Reo deal
The Japan internationalist has been in fine form during pre-season and the 24-year-old produced another eye-catching performance in the Premiership champions’ final outing before next weekend’s curtain-raiser against Aberdeen.
There is no shortage of competition for places in the heart of Ange Postecoglou’s side and club captain Callum McGregor has been the only nailed-on starter in midfield when all are fit and available, but Hatate is fast establishing himself as second in the Parkhead pecking order.
Hatate was composed on the ball throughout this contest, constantly shifting the ball from side to side and leaving opponents for dead with the clever drop of a shoulder. His through balls appeared to be laser-guided at times and although one or two were a little shy of their intended target, the range and variation of the central midfielder’s distribution was impressive throughout.
Celtic make case for the defence
Postecoglou’s team had conceded nine goals in their previous four friendlies – three against Rapid Vienna, two against Banik Ostrava, another two against Blackburn and a further two in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Legia Warsaw – so a clean sheet was most welcome.
This was by no means a comprehensive defensive display. Cameron Carter-Vickers looked a little shaky at times, and it feels like it is only a matter of time before Joe Hart’s haphazard positioning and tendency to dawdle on the ball is punished heavily.
Still, though, a clean sheet is a clean sheet and Postecoglou will no doubt be pleased to have recorded one. Norwich had the Celtic backline under some relatively heavy pressure for a few spells throughout the game but the hosts held firm as they plugged their previously leaky defence.
New Bhoys make their bows
Supporters caught their first glimpse of the champions’ latest recruits, centre-back Moritz Jenz and central midfielder Aaron Mooy, in the 2-0 victory and both offered a peek at what they can bring to the starting line-up.
Jenz cut an imposing figure at the back and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. More than once, some quick footwork from the defender opened up a little space by wrong-footing his marker and he didn’t do all that much wrong.
Mooy looked a little rusty after being brought on for the final 15 minutes or so but this is understandable, given the 31-year-old has hardly kicked a ball since Australia’s World Cup play-off win over Qatar. He sat at the base of the midfield, allowing McGregor to push on to a more offensive role, before moving further upfield when the Celtic captain was replaced by James McCarthy for the game’s closing exchanges.
