Managers old and new unite to cheer on the development squad (KK) #celtic #celticfamily pic.twitter.com/KP15zfE5Fu
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) April 16, 2015
Neil Lennon joined Ronny Deila to watch Celtic lose out 5-3 on penalties to Manchester City at the City Academy Stadium in the Premier League International Cup for u-21 sides.
With Deila closing in on his first SPFL title it was fitting that he met up with his successor who has successfully steered Bolton clear of the Championship relegation zone.
After 120 minutes without a goal the match went to extra-time with Connor McManus, Joe Chalmers and Stefan Scepovic scoring for Celtic before Angus Gunn saved from Jamie Lindsay to allow the home side to book their place in the semi-final draw.
Gunn, son of former Norwich keeper Bryan, was in outstanding form throughout the first half denying Celtic with four great saves. The visitors continued to have the upper hand in the second half but were unable to force a breakthrough with the match going to extra time and eventually to penalties.
The result brings to a halt an impressive run by Celtic that saw them top their group with wins over Sunderland and Villarreal following a draw with Everton in the opening group match.
City finished runners up to Leicester City in Group C after wins over Benfica and Schalke 04.
The competition featured eight Premier League sides and eight international sides with all of the matches played in England which saw Celtic face Villarreal at Dartford.
Giving Academy players the opportunity to test themselves against international opponents is the main aim of the competition with two overage players allowed to take part.
In Celtic’s opening match at Goodison Park in November Filip Twardzik opened the scoring in a 1-1 draw while a Leigh Griffiths double earned the hoops a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light shortly before Christmas. In January Charlie Mulgrew played as a Paul McMullan goal earned Celtic full points over Villarreal.
CELTIC: Fasan: Fisher (Wardrop 99), Kelleher, McCart, Tierney (Chalmers 65min); McManus, Lindsay; Thomson (Nesbitt 80), Duffy, Waters; Scepovic.
Subs: Doohan, McGrath, Hill, Hendry
MAN CITY: Gunn, Smith-Brown, Plummer, Bryan, Horsfield, Glendon (C), Intima, Ntcham, Pozo, Byrne, Angelino
