A first half double from Omar Bogle helped Celtic’s u-19 side to full points away to St Johnstone at Stirling University.
With four players called up for first team duty it was a much changed side that John Kennedy selected with a shoulder injury to Jackson Irvine further upsetting the side.
Galway bhoy Joe O’Brien started his first match at u-19 level stepping in to replace Marcus Fraser and stood up well to some concerted pressure from St Johnstone during the second half.
Just like last week’s 5-0 win over Kilmarnock Celtic found themselves in an early two goal lead. Bogle cashed in on a slip from the Saints keeper in the 13th minute to open the scoring then turned sharply three minutes later on the edge of the box to double Celtic’s lead with a low drive beyond the Saints keeper.
After half an hour Irvine went down heavily and was in obvious pain before being taken off with Mo Yaqub taking his place and Joe Chalmers moving in to partner Joe O’Brien in the centre of defence. At this stage it looks unlikely that Irvine will be fit for Thursday’s match with Barcelona.
Celtic came close to extending their lead before the interval with Tony Watt, Bogle and John Herron all coming close.Â
After the break Celtic seemed to take their foot off the gas and were grateful to Robbie Thomson for a 56th minute penalty as St Johnstone stepped up the pace but it was in injury time before the ‘home’ side found the net.
Celtic now prepare for Thursday’s match with Barcelona in the Next Gen Series with the dilemma of having four key players possibly required for first team duty against Dunfermline on Wednesday night.
CELTIC: Thomson, Miller, Irvine (Yaqub 33) O’Brien, Chalmers; Herron, Kidd, Fisher, P Twardzik; Watt (Atajic 69), Bogle
SUBS Fazan, Williamson, Lindsay, Johnstone, George
THIS SEASON’S SCORERS: Watt 8, Herron 6, George 5, F Twardzik 4, Bogle 4, P Twardzik 3, Williamson 2, Irvine 2, McGregor2, McGeough 2, Atajic 1, Gormley 1,  OG 1
CLICK HEREÂ for Strathclyde Police miss the point on chanting
CLICK HEREÂ for Video Celts TV
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook
Well done Bhoys.
Great win.
just so so sad that most of these very very talented players will be plying their trade else were in the not to distant future if history is anything to go bye
Hi joe, where is instead from? Not heard much about this kid
where is omar from I meant! predictive text error!
Omar left Birmingham last season after three years at the club. Made his Celtic debut as sole striker away to Hearts, found it a bit tough playing on his own but he’s a brute of a bhoy!
Scored twice v Aberdeen and against St Johnstone, playing alongside Tony Watt.
Tough decision or lots of options?
We have an amazingly strong five man midfield as our first choice at u-19 but the Watt/Bogle partnership- rather un-Celtic like- of two strong physical players will give every team a tough time.
Joe – you got the goals-scored tally this week, please ? Really useful info that. I think Tony was out in front previously. Cheers !
Joe could you tell us a bit about the young goalkeeper on the bench yesterday Leonardo Fasan, thanks
I don’t know very much about Leo.
He came last season from Italy and was picked ahead of James Wightman for the Glasgow Cup Final against Rangers in May.
I’ll try and get some more information on Leo, I saw him in an u-17 match this season against Stenhousemuir but Robbie Thomson has played every minute of every SPL u-19 match and shared duties with Nick Feely in the Next Gen Series.