Youth/Development Team Thread

Wardrop with the Bhoys goal

 

5 minutes to go still 1-1

 

full time Aberdeen 1 Celtic 1 Sam Wardrop with the hoops goal

 

SAM Wardrop’s late header rescued a well-deserved point for Celtic’s Development Side away to their Aberdeen counterparts to maintain their unbeaten league record with just one fixture left to be fulfilled.
The young Hoops had created the better chances in a fiercely-fought and compelling contest at Glebe Park but they fell behind when Joe Nuttall headed in from Sam Robertson’s delivery.
Determined to continue their remarkable run, however, the champions fought back and equalised with nine minutes left on the clock when Wardrop met Regan Hendry’s corner at the near post.
Hendry and Calvin Miller both had chances to win the game for Tommy McIntyre’s side but they had to be content with a share of the spoils, which means they go into Friday’s game with Motherwell with the chance of going through the entire league campaign without defeat.
McIntyre made three changes to the team that saw off Hibernian last week. Leo Fasan replaced Conor Hazard between the sticks, while Theo Archibald and Miller also came in for the champions in advanced positions on either flank. Dan Higgins and Connor McManus were the other players to drop out.
The young Celts made the brighter start in Brechin, controlling the majority of possession on the uneven surface and fashioning some promising positions in the wide areas. Aside from a number of corners, however, they failed to cause any serious headaches for the Aberdeen backline.
It was captain Fiacre Kelleher who eventually had the first attempt on goal for the visitors from distance but the defender’s effort flew high and wide.
The Dons quickly replied with their first shot of the game as Dylan Thomas scooped over from Cammy Smith’s pass after Jamie McCart’s pass had been intercepted, but McIntyre’s side soon resumed the offensive.
Bombing forward from right-back, Anthony Ralston advanced into the box and managed to squeeze a shot in but goalkeeper Aaron Lennox was able to make a comfortable save.
Hendry had been picking up good positions in the attacking third, and the midfielder almost handed Celtic the lead midway through the half with an instinctive, angled drive that whizzed beyond the far post.
Miller had been a lively presence down the left and he was in the right place to meet Theo Archibald’s curling cross in the 28th minute but the winger couldn’t steer his header on target as the Hoops youngsters continued to press.
Scott Wright then threatened for the hosts at the other end, pulling the trigger after twisting and turning in the box, but Jamie McCart was on hand to block the shot at the expense of a corner.
Back came the Bhoys and only an excellent save from Lennox prevented Thomson from breaking the deadlock, the keeper reacting quickly to push over the midfielder’s close-range header.
Hendry had provided the cross for Thomson’s chance and he showcased his dead-ball dexterity moments later when his wicked delivery had to be tipped over the bar by Lennox. He then dragged a shot wide as both teams went in at the break on equal terms.
Higgins replaced Ciaran Lafferty for the start of the second half and the versatile midfielder was soon in the thick of the action as the young Celts burst from the blocks and applied some intense pressure.
And following good work from Mark Hill down the left, Archibald was extremely unfortunate to see a spectacular scissor kick from 18 yards cannon off the bar. It was a wonderful effort from the winger and it was quickly followed up by dangerous crosses into the box from Ralston and Higgins but the Dons escaped unscathed.
McIntyre’s side then had a hand-ball claim against Craig Storie waved away before Miller lashed over as their frustrations continued.
And in the 65th minute, the home side rubbed salt in the wounds by opening the scoring as Joe Nuttall headed Sam Robertson’s pinpoint cross beyond Fasan.
The Hoops quickly rallied, however, and Thomson came close twice and Wardrop also threatened from Hendry’s superb set-piece delivery.
And, after Higgins’ shot deflected behind, this was the route in which they managed to grab a deserved leveller as Wardrop bravely met Hendry’s corner amid a ruck of bodies and powered a header home. He required treatment for his heroics but was able to continue.
Miller and Hendry were both denied by substitute keeper David Craddock as the Celts finished on top, with atttention now turning to Friday's match with Motherwell.

 

TOMMY McIntyre was pleased with the performance of Celtic’s Development Side after they fought back to secure a share of the spoils away to Aberdeen last night (Monday).
The young Hoops controlled large swathes of the game at Glebe Park but were left to rue the chances they had missed when Aberdeen striker Joe Nuttall headed the hosts in front in the 65th minute.
Showing character, however, the Bhoys rallied and restored parity inside the final 10 minutes after Sam Wardrop’s desire and determination saw him get on the end of Regan Hendry’s corner at the near post.
It was the least they deserved, given their dominance of the match and they could have won it as the clock ticked down with Hendry and Calvin Miller coming close.
But a draw was enough to keep the young Celts’ unbeaten league record intact with just one game left in the season, which will take place this Friday against Motherwell
Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Tommy McIntyre said: “Given how the pitch was worse for wear, I thought we played well. We went 1-0 down but we did enough to win the game, dominating large spells and creating one or two good chances.
“Their goalkeeper had one or two good saves while our own one didn’t have much to do. It was a tough game but a good one. They had a few first-team players involved and that’s the challenge we want, while our young players stood up to it really well and we played the better football.
“At half-time we just wanted them to keep the tempo up and keep pressing, particularly with the pitch as there had been one or two wayward passes, and we wanted to make sure we were the ones who reacted to it first in both boxes.
“We also wanted to get it down and move it as quick as we could. We did that and I felt we started the second half really well and really put them on the back foot. Theo Archibald has had a great volley that smacks off the bar, and I was really pleased with a lot of their stuff.”
Celtic’s Professional Academy Manager was also buoyed by the spirit and character of his charges after they conceded the opening goal in the 65th minute against the run of play.
“It was a good test for us and the character was there in abundance,” said McIntyre. “You always wonder how they will react to that after having so much of the game and then Aberdeen probably having their best 10 minutes of the game and scoring.
"But we reacted really well. We got back on it and played on the front foot again and threatened their goal once or twice with some good deliveries and corner kicks and it was from a set-play that we got the goal.
“We are a threat from set-pieces and we do a lot of practice on them at training so it was good to get a goal from one, albeit we had one or two chances from open play. It was only a matter of time before it came because we were pressing and pressing for it, and I’m almost certain if the game went on for another five minutes we would have won.
“The result is not that important for us, as the most important thing is the performance and how they adapted to a strong Aberdeen side. I’m pleased with a lot of things.”

 

I know that * he is from Govan :smiley-laughing002:

 

Looks as if hes had a hard paper run:smiley-laughing002:

 

They call him pie face :smiley-laughing002:, he was on the bus i used to go on years ago was a right pain in the *, but follows Celtic everywhere

 

:smiley-laughing002::smiley-laughing002:

Ack well, cannae knock wee pie face for following the hoops everywhere :icon_mrgreen:

 

I was reading an interview with Nesbitt, after he went out on loan to thistle. He stated he didn't realise he would need to bulk up to play in the SPL. I am now wondering what our youth coaches are doing as should they not be advising him of this before he got a chance in the SPL?

 

That's a good point. Of course he'd have to bulk up, any youth player, especially a tricky attacker will have to bulk up to play in any pro league regardless of where it is. Look at Ryan Gauld at SCP. He's put loads if weight and muscle on in comparison to when he first arrived there. That's partly why it's taken him a bit longer to adjust, he's had to bulk up.

 

This has probably been asked a million times, but where do the development squad play their home games usually?

 

Cappielow

 

Cheers

 

haven't been to a few youth game in a few years so I could be wrong.

 

Hopefully a few of the young boys are given a chance pre season,the boy Aitchison seems to be doing really well.Tierney was given a chance look how that is working out,same as McGregor,lot of people now saying he should be in our 11 every week,Henderson imo given a run of games would be the same.

 

Scotland under 17's I'm sure are on at 5 on Eurosport but it's no saying the fixture. Quarter to 5 build up..

Playing Belgium in the tournament. Sure to be a few Celts in the starting line up..

 

Aitchison is in the squad and should be leading the line by the looks of it. Broque Watson and the goalie McAdams are the 3 Celts gone over..

Need to avoid defeat here as it's Belgium and then Portugal and the host's Azerbaijan who'll be the whipping boy's..

 

Uefa and Eurosport have * up with these. It's nil nil at half time and not on the box..

Strange..

 

Final game for the development side is this morning against Motherwell


Doohan; Wardrop, Kelleher, McCart, Waters; Thomson; McManus, Hill; Hendry, Miller, Archibald

Subs: Bradley-Hurst, Kerr, Kidd, Lafferty, Murray, Higgins