Blogs

Who are the Next Gen bhoys? Celtic v Sporting

|
Image for Who are the Next Gen bhoys? Celtic v Sporting

Jackson Irvine Celtic newsCeltic will mix their development squad with the youthful u-20 side for tonight’s Next Gen Series opener with Sporting Lisbon.

Leo Fasan is in goals for the hoops with the young Italian proving to be a very able deputy for Robbie Thomson when he was called upon last season.

The defence has a very familiar look about it with Joe Chalmers and Marcus Fraser returning from first team duty alongside u-20 regulars Darnell Fisher and Stuart Findlay.

Fisher is a hard-as-nails full back while Chalmers delivers a mean cross and dead ball from the left hand side. In the centre of the park Findlay has started every match for the u-20 side at centre-half while Fraser can play equally well as a sweeper or anchoring the midfield.

The main strength of the Celtic youth side in recent seasons has been the flexible midfield which can be a midfield five or three with two wide players breaking forward to support the sole striker.

John Herron notched double figures last season from right midfield while Patrik Twardzik was the star turn of the u-20’s 4-1 win over Hamilton Accies coming in from the left flank. In the middle of the park Jackson Irvine, Lewis Kidd and Callum McGregor will pop up in a variety of positions with all three liking to break into the penalty box.

In attack Denny Johnstone has scored in the last two u-20 mathes including a spectacular strike at Motherwell started by a ‘Cruyff turn’ on the touchline.

On the bench Celtic can call upon Belgian keeper Glenn Daniels, defenders Mikey Miller and Paddy McNally, midfielders Liam Henderson and Calum Waters with Jack Kirwan as a striking option.

CELTIC: Fasan, Fisher, Chalmers, Fraser (captain), Findlay, Irvine, Herron, Kidd, Johnstone, McGregor, P Twardzik

SUBS: Lindsay, Daniels, Miller, McNally, Henderson, Kirwin, Waters.

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!