Leigh Griffiths and Stefan Scepovic did more than score the goals that earned Celtic a 2-0 win over Hamilton in the Development League.
With the benefit of a competitive 90 minutes under their belt they demonstrated to the watching John Kennedy and John Collins that they are ready if needed for the demanding first team schedule that kicks off at Ross County on Saturday.
In recent times the Development League has been all about giving younger players the experience of playing against older opponents but last night’s match provided another option of fine tuning players already in the first team squad.
“The manager felt that those guys needed game time and I think it shows them that they can benefit from these matches, it was a tough game,” coach Stevie Frail explained.
“They were under pressure and benefited from the match. We changed the team shape to suit them, we went 4-4-2 and those two worked really hard for the team. In the closing minutes Leigh Griffiths ran back 80 yards to close down a full back to prevent them getting a cross in on goal. He has an excellent attitude.
“Griffiths and Scepovic are training every day, the manager trusts us with his players to gauge where they are. The first team coaches would have been happy if they got an hour but they were enjoying it and got the full match in. Leigh has got another goal and Stefan has his first goal for the club.”
It was a tough first 30 minutes for Celtic as Hamilton buzzed about impressively forcing a series of corners but unable to find a way past Leo Fasan.
Celtic carved out a couple of openings as the half closed and took the lead three minutes into the second period with a 20 yard free kick from Griffiths struck low past goalkeeper Blair Currie.
Scepovic carved out a couple of chances before netting in the 83rd minute from the rebound of a Griffiths shot after Filip Twardzik had sent the former Hibs man racing in on goal.
“Hamilton stopped us in the first half, we could see that our shape wasn’t working,” Frail added. “We could have played better but Griffiths and Scepovic were probably our best two players in the first half in terms of their work rate.
“Stefan probably should have scored with a header in the first half, he had acouple of chances in the second half then put away probably his hardest chance for his goal.
“I’m really pleased for Stefan, he showed a lot of good touches, he’s coming from a different football culture but you could see tonight that he is a good player.
“Players need to settle, he will befit from this match, it will help him settle in, understand more about the game and get 90 minutes.
“At the other end we had a couple of very young full-backs playing in Sam Wardrop and Kieran Tierney and they both did well. Kieran has played further forward for us and it was jut Sam’s third match at this level.
“We could have did better in the first half but it was a good result and we’ve given two first team players 90 minutes which will befit everyone.”
CELTIC: Fasan; Wardrop, O’Connell, Findlay, Tierney; McMullan (Hendry 89), Breslin, Lindsay, Twardzik (Thomson 83); Griffiths, Scepovic.
Subs:Â Hart, McCart, Kelleher, Miller, Hill.
CLICK HERE for Guideti dedicates win to cancer victim