Youth/Development Team Thread

CELTIC’S Development Squad went down 3-0 to a more experienced Norwich City side in their second Premier League International Cup game of the season.

A brace from Carlton Morris and a well-taken goal from Josh Murphy gave the Canaries a convincing win at Carrow Road.

Following a superb win away to Aston Villa the previous week, the young Celts had travelled south once again for their second group game in the competition.

Tommy McIntyre made five changes from the Celtic side that earned victory against Villa, with the first-team players that featured in that win unavailable.

Leo Fasan started between the sticks in a youthful Hoops starting XI, while Sam Wardrop, Fiacre Kelleher, Mark Hill and Conor McManus also came into the team. Luke Donnelly and Jack Aitchison, goal scorers against Villa, partnered each other again up top.

Experienced players such as Michael Turner, Steven Whittaker and Paul Jones were all involved for Norwich.

The home side opened up an early advantage, taking the lead in the sixth minute. Jamie McCart produced a foul in the penalty area, allowing Morris to claim his first score from the penalty spot.

Morris almost had a second goal on 14 minutes after rounding Kelleher, but he was denied by a fantastic stop from Fasan who got down low at his near post to save well. Minutes later, a strong block from McCart stopped a close range effort from Murphy.

Celtic’s first chance of the game came on 20 minutes, with Aidan Nesbitt taking on two defenders before breaking into the box and unleashing a shot towards the far post. His effort left the Canaries’ keeper at a standstill but curled just wide.

Nesbitt continued to cause problems on the right but the young Celts struggled to create another clear-cut chance.

Fasan produced two more saves before half-time to deny Todd Cantwell and Ebou Adams, while Murphy’s deflected long range effort just before half-time hit the top of the Celtic crossbar.

The hosts had the first chance after the restart, but Sergi Canos’ drilled shot flew just wide of the target.

Calvin Miller’s dangerous crossing almost helped Celtic grab a goal in the 50th minute. Midfielder Mark Hill met the winger’s cross on the volley but could only fire back across the face of goal.

Not long after, another cross was played into the area by Miller and the loose ball found McManus on the edge for the box. However, he could only shoot wide from an awkward height.

Instead, Norwich doubled their lead before the hour-mark. Murphy picked up the ball on the edge of the area and curled the ball into the top corner of Fasan’s goal.

Morris claimed his second and Norwich’s third of the evening on 81 minutes. A corner was flicked on by Turner and the young striker was at the back post for a tap-in.

The Bhoys had a late penalty shout when Hill was brought down but the referee adjudged that the foul was just outside the area.

 

Was up at Lennoxtown on Tuesday night for Celtic U-16's v Morton 16's. Both teams had a mixture of age groups(mainly U-15's and 16's), young Dembele was on the bench. Game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes before Celtic won on penalties.

Good game and good to see both teams try to play it on the deck, resisting the temptation to lump it. Was interesting to hear some of the stuff with regards to the young boy Dembele over recent weeks. Think folk are getting a bit carried away with the regards to the wee man. Apparently when they played Dumbarton they had adults asking the wee man for autographs, he's a * 14 year old boy. And also an issue whilst away with the Scotland team, nothing major mind you. Also speaking to someone a bit more about the St Ninian's School system.

 

What about it?

 

TOMMY McIntyre wasn’t too disheartened after Celtic lost 3-0 to Norwich City last night at Carrow Road in the Premier League International Cup.

A double from Carlton Morris and Josh Murphy’s fine finish gave the home side the spoils as the Bhoys failed to follow up last week’s fine victory over Aston Villa in their opening group game.

But with the English side helped in their quest by the inclusion of number of first-team players, McIntyre told the official website the game would prove another valuable learning experience for his young players.

“Obviously you try to analyse the game and take the positives from it,” he said. “We played against a strong Norwich side who had around six first-team players which is good for development and, although we found it tough physically, it was a good test for us.

“As much as we take the plaudits for Villa last week, we have to then ask how we can do better for the next game. We are always learning from it. I felt we did well in spells but we never really quite threatened the goal.

“We lost an early goal as well which was disappointing but once we calmed down a bit, started to play and had a bit more belief, we started to enjoy it more but credit to Norwich who were a strong and tough side to play against.

“The physicality was evident but it’s good we challenge ourselves in these games and the only way we will learn is to continually try to improve, taking the good things from the game and things we could have probably done better.

“We lost the third goal at a set-play which was disappointing because we are generally quite good at them but they were a big team and they were causing us problems and we gave away too many corners. It was a tough night for us.”

The young Celts are next in action on Wednesday when they host Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League at Cappielow, before they travel down south again to face Valencia in their final group game in the Premier League International Cup.

And McIntyre is delighted that his charges are facing these types of tough examinations as they look to accelerate their development.

“You are continually learning both as coaches and players so you are not always going to get things the way you want it,” said the coach.

“The biggest thing is we are pushing ourselves and creating good competition for the youth players whether it’s in the UEFA Youth League, the U23 Premier League International Cup or the domestic season. There is a real variety of fixtures there.

“A lot of teams have played their strongest teams against us but we welcome that as it’s the only way you are going to learn and sometimes you learn a lot from a defeat

“I don’t want the players to be too disappointed,” he added. “I know they will be and the staff will be as well but we need to look beyond that and what they are learning from it, along with us, and taking that into the next game.”

 

Unless the weather is utterly pish might head over to Cappielow on Wednesday afternoon for the Youth League Barcelona game, it's a 2 o clock KO so works out perfect for the game at night, did this the last time we played them and was a good opportunity to see great talent from both teams

 

TOMMY McIntyre says Celtic’s young players are relishing the prospect of testing their talents against Barcelona today (Wednesday) in the UEFA Youth league as their exciting series of fixtures continues.

The Bhoys will be targeting their first win of the group when they face their Barca counterparts at Cappielow (kick-off 2pm).

Following games against Norwich City and Aston Villa in the Premier League International Cup, and Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Youth League, McIntyre told the official Celtic website that he was delighted to see his players being exposed to this level of football at an important stage in their development.

“Anyone involved in football would agree they are great games to play in,” he said. “It’s a great learning curve and education for young players.

"It’s a good time for us to get the game. We have had a lot of top games and the harder the games you take then it’s a better experience and learning curve for the players.

“Sometimes I don’t know if they realise how lucky they are to be involved in competitions at this level, and it is an opportunity to showcase your talent, challenge yourself and find out where you are at that level of age-specific player, which is U19s in this tournament.

“You want to play against the best players and see how you fare and that’s something we welcome and look forward to, as do the players.

“There is a good relationship between the clubs," continued the coach. "Celtic and Barcelona are synonymous with exciting, attacking football and there is always the great bond betwen the the fans.

“The first-team games between the sides are incredible and it’s the same level of excitement for our young players going into the game.

"We are very fortunate that we get the opportunity to play these games, along with the EPL Cup matches which are tough. Not many young players get that chance so that’s something we need to cherish and make sure we do well.”

Although a difficult task awaits McIntyre’s side, they can take succour from how well they performed in the corresponding fixture in Catalonia, losing narrowly 2-1.

“We are really pleased with the way we performed over in Barcelona, obviously against a very good side," he said. "We feel we have some good players that can give them problems, and we definitely gave them a lot of problems over in Barcelona. Hopefully we can hit the same levels and have that belief and go on to hopefully do well.

“It is a stepping stone to hopefully bigger things for players and they need to really work hard to take it because it does mould how you develop later on in life – if you can play in these games then it’s a great education in becoming a footballer at Celtic."

 

team news coming soon from Cappielow

 

Doohan; Ralston, Kerr, McCart, Wardrop; Hendry, Ajer, Hill, Miller; Crossan, Aitchison


Johnston, McAdams, Church, Duffy, Archibald,Higgins, McInroy.

 

STRIKER PJ Crossan comes into the Celtic team for today’s UEFA Youth League clash with Barcelona at Cappielow as Tommy McIntyre makes one change to the side that lost to Borussia Monchengladbach at the start of the month.

The 18-year-old starts alongside Jack Aitchison in attack, with Theo Archibald dropping to the bench, as the young Hoops line up in a 4-4-2 formation.

 

full team line up for both sides today

 

Bit of an eye opener for the Barca players going to Cappielow.

 

they should be used it since we've played them a few times.

 

Ive been a few times and its still an eye opener.

 

I love it make a Snowman if the games *.

 

Aye if the wrought iron sheeting doesn't fall aff the top of the cow shed, happened last time I was there nearly killed a few *.

 

same thing happened a few years back at the last youth game I was at.