Norwich City manager Dean Smith is looking forward to facing Celtic on Saturday, with the English side arriving as the Bhoys’ final pre-season opponents.
Like Celtic, the Canaries kick off their league campaign next weekend. But they’ve chosen a somewhat different route in their preparations with an unusual double-header in Scotland coming up.
Smith will field an eleven on Saturday at Paradise before making an immediate short trip to Edinburgh to face Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday.
They picked up an impressive result in France last week away to Marseille, winning 3-0, but despite that result, Smith is still looking for stronger performances from his players.
Speaking after a 3-1 win against Cambridge United mid-week, the Norwich boss said: “We were second best to second balls and didn’t move the ball quick enough. They got what they deserved in the first half. The second half was a lot better and the application was a lot better and I thought the subs changed the game for us, so it’s pleasing that we’ve won the game and I’m pleased with a lot of the aspects of the second half but disappointed with the first half, but it’s understandable.”
And on the trip to Celtic Park, Smith continued: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be two tough games and we’ve got to balance the squad appropriately and are looking to get all the lads 90 minutes at least, but we’ve got to balance it especially if Christos Tzolis and Christoph Zimmermann aren’t involved, but what a great place to go for Celtic Park on Saturday and Easter Road on Sunday.”
With Norwich will be former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki, who scored nine goals in 37 appearances for the Bhoys before heading to impress elsewhere.
It should be a good final test for Ange Postecoglou’s outfit, especially if Smith chooses to field a stronger eleven on Saturday than on Sunday.
The Bhoys will be looking for a rousing, confidence-boosting win after recent draws against Blackburn Rovers and Legia, warming everyone up nicely for the visit of Aberdeen on the 31st July.
In other news, Young Celtic talent scores first professional goal out on loan.
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