Youth/Development Team Thread

You are on the wrong forum pedro.

 

Ewan Henderson goal

 

Some goals from the henderson bros.

 

TOMMY McIntyre says that Celtic will be aiming to maintain their impressive run of performances in Saturday’s Premier League International Cup clash against Manchester United.

The young Hoops go into the game at Leigh Sports Village (KO: 2pm) on the back of a convincing 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Wednesday, and having put Raith Rovers to the sword 5-0 in the Youth Cup as they maintained their perfect start to the domestic campaign.

In European competition, the Bhoys have also turned in some notable displays, including an excellent 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in their last outing in their last outing in the Under-23 competition.

Speaking to the official Celtic website, McIntyre said: “The big thing is ultimately the performance, individual performances, but more importantly for me is the collective performance. When we've been at it collectively as a team, we have been really strong and looked good.

“Against Bilbao I thought we were first-class when we had a mixture of first team and young players. We won’t have as many first-team players this time but, nonetheless, it gives one or two others who have been doing really well with the Development Squad the chance to come in.

“It’s about performing and how they take to the game, but the players are ready and are looking forward to it and know what they need to do.”

It will be the third game in the space of six days for the young Celts, but McIntyre holds no concerns about the hectic fixture schedule affecting his players for the clash with the Red Devils.

“We have been the proverbial one game at a time as we've had a lot of games recently,” said the Professional Academy Manager. “Previously we didn’t have a lot of games but now we are taking two a week which is fine and we are comfortable with that, and we're now focusing on the Manchester United game on Saturday.

“Obviously, it’s one we are really looking forward to as they have set the pace in the group, beating both Swansea and Athletic Bilabo. We have looked at the games and we are expecting a good side but we're also a good side. It will be a good test for us and one the players and staff are really looking forward to.”

The only absentee for the young Celts is winger Mikey Johnston, who remains sidelined through injury but is closing in on a return.

“The only one I would say is out is Mikey Johnston,” said McIntyre. “We could have risked him in the games but we are looking ahead to the Anderlecht game. His injury was just one of those training ground injuries that you sometimes get and there wasn’t any contact from any individual player. It will be a big bonus if we can get him for Anderlecht but he won’t be ready in time for Manchester United game.”

 

TOMMY McIntyre was highly-satisfied with how his young players acquitted themselves in today’s 2-0 defeat away to Manchester United in the Premier League International Cup.

Goals in either half from England U21 cap James Wilson proved the difference bewteen the side at Leigh Sports Village.

But the young Celts contributed hugely to an entertaining contest and there were lots of positives in the performance for McIntyre and his coaching staff to reflect on.

Speaking exclusively to the official website, the Professional Academy Manager said: “It was a really good game. It was entertaining and end to end, with two really good teams on the pitch, playing a lot of good football. The difference was Wilson up front for them, who has played for their first team and been out on loan.

“We dominated a lot of the game, and we were a younger team, but the biggest thing for me was that we played some really good stuff in the game, and it was a good, entertaining match with two good teams on show.

“Probably the most pleasing thing was the way we kept possession. We had a lot possession of the ball and we were calm on it. It was a fantastic stadium and a lovely pitch and it was just a good football match. Both teams tried to play football the right way and it was played in the right spirit, and I thought the younger ones handled that level of competition really well.

“Liam Henderson did well for us. We lost Beni (Kundai Benyu) before the game as he had a back injury so we had to change it at the last minute and brought in Kerr McInroy. That was a bit of a blow but the young players excelled, and you would take these types of games every week as they are a great learning curve for our players.”

The English side’s second goal came five minutes from the end of the game and the Hoops youngsters came close on several occasions to restoring parity.

“We had some really good chances in the game and we were a bit unlucky on a few occasions,” said McIntyre. “We were always in the game. Liam Henderson hit one from the halfway line which beat the goalie and just went by the post. It was incredible vision and really well executed. We also had a goal chopped off for offside in the second half. It was another great experience for us and we enjoyed it.”

The defeat to the Red Devils brings an end to Celtic’s participation in the prestigious U23 tournament this season, in which they have also come up against Athletic Bilbao and Swansea, and McIntyre felt it had been another invaluable experience for the Bhoys.

“We did really well against Man United and against Athletic Bilbao and probably the disappointing game was the Swansea one,” he explained. “We had a very young team against a tough Swansea team but, while that was disappointing, we take out the positives out of the other two games.

“We had more first-team players involved against Bilbao but it’s not about that - it’s about getting that platform for learning and developing, and if we continue to play games like this, along with the European games, what a a great education it is for the young players coming through.

"Ultimately, it’s all about performance and challenging yourself. The games are really tough, and you are up against quality players and opposition, so it’s been really pleasing and there have been a lot of positives.”

CELTIC (4-2-3-1) Hazard; Duffy, Hill, Deas, Miller; McInroy, Henderson; Thomson, Hendry (Watson 75), E. Henderson; Aitchison
Not Used: Willison, Welsh, Savoury, Bell,

 

Any links @Notorious?

 

Not on tv today.

 

10 minutes played still 0-0

 

Chance for the away side nothing from it.

 

Jack Aitchison makes it 1-0

 

McInroy makes it 2-0.

 

Any links for this , don't see it on telly?

 

Not on TV today.

 

A few chances early on in this second half.


Anderlecht down to ten.

 

Mikey Johnston makes it 3-0

 

64 Minutes gone still 3-0.