Detailed Celtic player ratings as Hatate and Maeda ground Canaries in final pre-season friendly

Josip Juranovic: The Croatian was far from his best in the second half against Legia during the week and so was arguably in need of an error-free, assured performance against the Canaries with the competitive games just round the corner. He just about did that while up against Rashica. Juranovic tried to make some clever, progressive passes at times although his touch was again on the heavier side at key moments. He did grab an assist with what was a highly-intelligent cross choice – low and drilled with Maeda in mind – and thereafter settled into a decent game ahead of the curtain-raiser. 6

Cameron Carter-Vickers: After an uncharacteristic weak moment in the concession of Legia’s first goal on Wednesday, the USA international was largely – a couple of untidy passes aside – back to his cruise-control best against Norwich. Former Celt Teemu Pukki led the line and the Hoops centre-back and rarely gave Carter-Vickers much trouble. 6

Stephen Welsh: A fifth outing of the close-season for the youth academy graduate suggests he is indeed in pole position to begin the Premiership campaign against Aberdeen next weekend with Carl Starfelt’s fitness in doubt. A fledgling willingness to play line-breaking passes will do his chances of further game-time no harm under Postecoglou and, while that part of his game wasn’t necessarily shining through on this occasion, it was still a passable display before he made way for new signing Moritz Jenz. 6

Greg Taylor: The Scotland international was to some extent targeted – as he often is – by long, high balls into his area and was at a physical disadvantage against Sargent in particular. He generally coped well enough with that threat and, on the offensive end, continued to plug away with boundless running and contributed one or two nice progressive passes to the creative players. Willingly overlapped when he could and that perceptive passing is evident in his cross selection too. 7

Callum McGregor: The captain conducted the green-and-white orchestra as he always does and looks, if possible, even more threatening with the burgeoning understanding between he, Hatate and O’Riley. Injected some edge to proceedings on one or two occasions – these pre-season friendlies need to have some intensity after all – and although probably worth a booking in the opening 45 it was another positive performance from Celtic’s Earl of Endurance. 8

Reo Hatate: Nailed by Kenny McLean in the opening minute as Celtic looked to play out from the back but did not let that rattle him and promptly set about his task of patrolling the midfield areas and constantly looking for ways to link up with those next to and ahead of him via passing or carrying. Showed his intent – like against Legia when he set up Maeda’s goal – that the easy option of shunting it out wide will not always be the order of the day this season; on this occasion it was 26 minutes in when he ignored Taylor’s open position in favour of an attempt at a central through ball. More of that will be required when the customary low blocks are deployed in 90 per cent of Celtic’s games this term. Games in which, you feel, it’s become clear Hatate will be key. 8

Matt O’Riley: The Denmark Under-21 international found it slightly more difficult to impose himself on the match this time round but nonetheless managed to supply a dangerous through ball for Jota in the 13th minute. From then on, he intermittently threatened in an attacking sense while putting in a power of work off the ball. Also – apropos of nothing in the wider context of the game – but he appeared to try a through pass using his head midway through the first half, which maybe sums him up. 7

Jota: A starting position was back on the cards for the Portuguese after an industrious but ultimately ineffective cameo against Legia. He wasted no time in letting his adoring crowd know he was in the mood with his usual fleet-footed ingenuity. While there is an argument he is better suited to the left flank the curious aspect of this occasion was how long it took him to switch (usually he and Maeda swap fairly early on in proceedings). He nevertheless had the beating of Sam McCallum whenever he chose to take him on, contributed well when tracking back and made a nuisance of himself in general all afternoon. 7

Kyogo Furuhashi: Took on the role of David up against a couple of Goliaths in Andrew Omobamidele and Grant Hanley (before he went off injured) and, while it wouldn’t be strictly true to say he gave them all they could handle, he certainly didn’t give them an easy time of it with his constant vigilance and tireless movement in the press. That he was handed no clear-cut chances will be a concern but it is not – and never is – through his own lack of endeavour. 6

Daizen Maeda: From his wide left starting berth Maeda made his intentions clear from the get-go: Max Aarons, the unfortunate incumbent of the Norwich City right-back spot, wasn’t going to get a second’s peace. Twice in the opening three minutes the Japan international got in behind and past Aarons to win corners and, while a lot of his afternoon was spent off-the-ball (magnificent improvised goal aside, obviously) that never seems to bother him much. "If the ball's on the far side, you're not standing there thinking 'I'm not involved',” Postecoglou said in his famous mic’d up training session a year ago. Maeda personifies that attitude and will be a big part of the team's fortunes this campaign regardless of role. 8

Substitutes

Anthony Ralston: Helped in the build-up to Turnbull’s goal and generally worked hard to overlap – or underlap – Abada on the right. 6

Moritz Jenz: The new signing’s first touch in a Celtic jersey was a sliding block to prevent a Norwich cross. He has cited Leonardo Bonucci as an example of the type of defender he wants to be and, while not quite showing the passing range of the Italian (few could, in fairness) Jenz looked comfortable enough in possession so suggest there is plenty reason to think he’ll adapt well to the demands of being a Celtic centre-back. 6

Alexandro Bernabei: Used his pace to good effect in standing up to Sargent’s more physical wing play and linked up well with Hatate in particular when it came to playing through any Norwich attempts at a press. Conversely, he was somewhat slack in his passing. 6

David Turnbull: Demonstrated his eye for goal by slotting home the second and looked a threat on the ball. 6

James Forrest: Played off the left after replacing Maeda and had a few opportunities to threaten. One in particular – when he found Abada on the edge of the box – should have resulted in an assist. 6

Liel Abada: A hitherto quiet substitute’s appearance could – and should – have burst into life in the 71st minute but he lashed a left-footed effort wide. He became more of a presence afterwards, though, and made one or two runs that, had his team-mates risked a pass, would have been dangerous. 6

Giorgos Giakoumakis: Celebrated the birth of his daughter with a committed half-hour cameo. Came deeper than Postecoglou probably would’ve liked at times but contributed where he often does: in the box. It was the Greek’s lay-off – albeit slightly short – that set up Turnbull’s goal while he got off a left-footed effort that forced Angus Gunn into a late save. 6

Aaron Mooy: No doubt feeling a bit rusty due to lack of action in recent months – as a couple of loose passes reflected – but his eagerness to move off the ball to ensure he remained a passing option for his team-mates will largely see him alright at Celtic. Moved from the pivot to one of the 8s when McCarthy came on. 5

James McCarthy: Replaced McGregor for the final eight minutes or so and kept play ticking.

Christopher Jullien: On for Carter-Vickers at the same time as McCarthy. Played one or two decent progressive passes.

Subs not used: Scott Bain, Benjamim Siegrist, Yosuke Ideguchi.