Celtic 1-2 Sunderland
Kenwyne Jones fired home what proved to be the winner as Sunderland took their pre-season record to four wins from five outings.
Kieran Richardson capitalised on a defensive error to fire the visitors ahead after just 11 minutes.
And Jones - last season's 15-goal top scorer - headed home the decider from an Andy Reid cross nine minutes into the second half.
Marc Crosas pulled a goal back with a crisp effort with 22 minutes remaining but the Black Cats kept their hosts at bay for the remainder, barring one late scare.
Aside from the result and performance, there was another boost for boss Steve Bruce as both Fraizer Campbell and Lorik Cana made their debuts off the bench in the second half.
There was an emotional atmosphere inside Celtic Park before kick-off as both sets of fans paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Robson.
The red and white army showed their respect with chants of 'there's only one Bobby Robson' during the minute's applause.
Both sides started the game at an uptempo pace, with Chris Killen and Jones trading half-chances from close range within the opening eight minutes.
Richardson sped on to Andy Reid's deft ball forward and beat off the attentions of two defenders before sliding an angled effort just past the far post.
But when the next chance came along with only 11 minute played, the red-hot Richardson converted successfully to notch his third goal in two friendly games.
The midfielder - scorer of both goals in Amsterdam as the Black Cats saw off Atletico Madrid - capitalised on a costly mistake by Celtic defender Darren O'Dea to fire his side ahead.
O'Dea lost possession 25 yards from his own goal when he miscontrolled while trying to turn, gifting possession to Richardson who calmly drew Lukasz Zaluska before side-footing home a low shot.
Roused by the goal, Celtic began to up the pace once more but found the visiting defence in no mood to give away much valuable ground in front of keeper Marton Fulop.
Indeed the home side were mostly restricted to efforts from distance in the early exchanges, Koki Mizuno blazing over after Reid's ambitious effort flew wide at the other end.
The 2,000-strong Sunderland support gave rousing receptions to new signings Campbell and Cana as they emerged from the dug-out to warm up with 20 minutes gone.
Striker Killen could have hauled Tony Mowbray's side level from close range just two minutes later, but the former Oldham striker got too much purchase on his glancing header and directed the ball past an unconcerned Fulop's left-hand post.
Jones threatened briefly when he headed a Reid centre back across the face of the goal, but no Sunderland player could get to the loose ball and Glenn Loovens hacked clear.
But Celtic were creating more and more without really threatening until Killen spurned his side's clearest chance of the half.
Ex-Rochdale winger Patrick McCourt dropped a lovely ball through to the striker 12 yards out, but Killen miscontrolled at the vital moment and Anton Ferdinand swept in with a well-timed sliding tackle to nullify the danger.
However, the last five minutes of the first period belonged to Sunderland as they tore at the hosts from deep positions.
Firstly Zaluska did well to get up and across to tip away a Reid scorcher from fully 30 yards, then Jordan Henderson beat the keeper only to see his effort rattle the crossbar and bounce away.
Celtic boss Mowbray introduced former Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras and the experienced Gary Caldwell at the break in an attempt to shore up his side.
But instead of being energised, the hosts fell further behind with 54 minutes gone after Samaras saw a shot blocked from close range in the early stages of the second half.
Reid was the architect, tormenting his marker before dropping a pinpoint cross in for Jones, who nipped in front of Zaluska to glance the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range.
With their side two goals down, the home fans became restless as the quota of misplaced passes increased.
But to be fair to Mowbray's men, they kept their collective heads and began to manufacture some decent passages of play.
Substitute Shaun Maloney came close, forcing Phil Bardsley to clear his low shot off the line despite being forced wide by the looming Fulop.
But from the resulting corner, the visiting defence failed to clear and Crosas unloaded a stunning volley which clipped the inside of Fulop's post and flew in.
Then Fulop had to be alert to stop Samaras' low drive before sub Campbell was just inches away from connecting to sub Carlos Edwards' pull-back across the face of goal.
Sunderland were forced to defend in numbers as a resurgent Celtic side pushed late on, but the hosts' efforts ultimately came to naught.
There was a major scare, though, when Samaras crossed from the right and the sprawling Scott McDonald flashed a diving header wide from just six yards out.
Despite another late, low effort from Aiden McGeady, the Black Cats weathered the rest of the storm comfortably to extend their encouraging run of pre-season results.
SAFC: Fulop, Bardsley (Nosworthy, 78), McCartney, Collins, Ferdinand, Leadbitter (Tainio, 78), Malbranque (Healy, 78), Henderson (Cana, 63), Richardson (Edwards, 78), Reid (Murphy, 81), Jones (Campbell, 63).
Subs Not Used: Fettis.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Celtic: Zaluska, Brown (McDonald, 62), Fox (Conroy, 81), Flood (McGeady, 62), Crosas, McCourt (Donati, 62), Loovens (Caldwell, 46), Mizuno (Maloney, 62), Killen (Samaras, 46), O'Dea, Caddis.
Subs Not Used: Hinkel, Fortune, Boruc.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Kenwyne Jones fired home what proved to be the winner as Sunderland took their pre-season record to four wins from five outings.
Kieran Richardson capitalised on a defensive error to fire the visitors ahead after just 11 minutes.
And Jones - last season's 15-goal top scorer - headed home the decider from an Andy Reid cross nine minutes into the second half.
Marc Crosas pulled a goal back with a crisp effort with 22 minutes remaining but the Black Cats kept their hosts at bay for the remainder, barring one late scare.
Aside from the result and performance, there was another boost for boss Steve Bruce as both Fraizer Campbell and Lorik Cana made their debuts off the bench in the second half.
There was an emotional atmosphere inside Celtic Park before kick-off as both sets of fans paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Robson.
The red and white army showed their respect with chants of 'there's only one Bobby Robson' during the minute's applause.
Both sides started the game at an uptempo pace, with Chris Killen and Jones trading half-chances from close range within the opening eight minutes.
Richardson sped on to Andy Reid's deft ball forward and beat off the attentions of two defenders before sliding an angled effort just past the far post.
But when the next chance came along with only 11 minute played, the red-hot Richardson converted successfully to notch his third goal in two friendly games.
The midfielder - scorer of both goals in Amsterdam as the Black Cats saw off Atletico Madrid - capitalised on a costly mistake by Celtic defender Darren O'Dea to fire his side ahead.
O'Dea lost possession 25 yards from his own goal when he miscontrolled while trying to turn, gifting possession to Richardson who calmly drew Lukasz Zaluska before side-footing home a low shot.
Roused by the goal, Celtic began to up the pace once more but found the visiting defence in no mood to give away much valuable ground in front of keeper Marton Fulop.
Indeed the home side were mostly restricted to efforts from distance in the early exchanges, Koki Mizuno blazing over after Reid's ambitious effort flew wide at the other end.
The 2,000-strong Sunderland support gave rousing receptions to new signings Campbell and Cana as they emerged from the dug-out to warm up with 20 minutes gone.
Striker Killen could have hauled Tony Mowbray's side level from close range just two minutes later, but the former Oldham striker got too much purchase on his glancing header and directed the ball past an unconcerned Fulop's left-hand post.
Jones threatened briefly when he headed a Reid centre back across the face of the goal, but no Sunderland player could get to the loose ball and Glenn Loovens hacked clear.
But Celtic were creating more and more without really threatening until Killen spurned his side's clearest chance of the half.
Ex-Rochdale winger Patrick McCourt dropped a lovely ball through to the striker 12 yards out, but Killen miscontrolled at the vital moment and Anton Ferdinand swept in with a well-timed sliding tackle to nullify the danger.
However, the last five minutes of the first period belonged to Sunderland as they tore at the hosts from deep positions.
Firstly Zaluska did well to get up and across to tip away a Reid scorcher from fully 30 yards, then Jordan Henderson beat the keeper only to see his effort rattle the crossbar and bounce away.
Celtic boss Mowbray introduced former Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras and the experienced Gary Caldwell at the break in an attempt to shore up his side.
But instead of being energised, the hosts fell further behind with 54 minutes gone after Samaras saw a shot blocked from close range in the early stages of the second half.
Reid was the architect, tormenting his marker before dropping a pinpoint cross in for Jones, who nipped in front of Zaluska to glance the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range.
With their side two goals down, the home fans became restless as the quota of misplaced passes increased.
But to be fair to Mowbray's men, they kept their collective heads and began to manufacture some decent passages of play.
Substitute Shaun Maloney came close, forcing Phil Bardsley to clear his low shot off the line despite being forced wide by the looming Fulop.
But from the resulting corner, the visiting defence failed to clear and Crosas unloaded a stunning volley which clipped the inside of Fulop's post and flew in.
Then Fulop had to be alert to stop Samaras' low drive before sub Campbell was just inches away from connecting to sub Carlos Edwards' pull-back across the face of goal.
Sunderland were forced to defend in numbers as a resurgent Celtic side pushed late on, but the hosts' efforts ultimately came to naught.
There was a major scare, though, when Samaras crossed from the right and the sprawling Scott McDonald flashed a diving header wide from just six yards out.
Despite another late, low effort from Aiden McGeady, the Black Cats weathered the rest of the storm comfortably to extend their encouraging run of pre-season results.
SAFC: Fulop, Bardsley (Nosworthy, 78), McCartney, Collins, Ferdinand, Leadbitter (Tainio, 78), Malbranque (Healy, 78), Henderson (Cana, 63), Richardson (Edwards, 78), Reid (Murphy, 81), Jones (Campbell, 63).
Subs Not Used: Fettis.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Celtic: Zaluska, Brown (McDonald, 62), Fox (Conroy, 81), Flood (McGeady, 62), Crosas, McCourt (Donati, 62), Loovens (Caldwell, 46), Mizuno (Maloney, 62), Killen (Samaras, 46), O'Dea, Caddis.
Subs Not Used: Hinkel, Fortune, Boruc.
Booked: None.
Sent Off: None.
Jones is no good on his own and it looks like we are throwing the towel in on bent.
