A very youthful Celtic XI defeated Vale of Clyde 6-0 at Fullarton Park in a testimonial match for James ‘Banjo’ McKinstry.
Despite the scoreline the junior side created a number of chances as Tommy McIntyre’s side were given a different type of workout against experienced and streetwise opponents.
Doubles from Michael Johnston and Broque Watson plus goals from Wallace Duffy and Jack Aitchison gave Celtic a well deserved victory ahead of next weekend’s Loch Lomond tournament which will feature Partick Thistle and Sheffield United and the Fife Elite Academy.
Vale of Clyde created the first chance of the day with a raid down the Celtic right in the second minute but when the ball was delivered into the box their striker shot over at the near post.
Celtic took the lead in the sixth minute with a goal that looked carefully rehearsed. Johnston ran over to receive a short corner with Watson’s delivery into the penalty box turned into the net at the front post by Duffy.
The homeside were unable to cope with the pace of Celtic’s attacks with a searing run by Tony Ralston in the 18th minute setting up the second goal for Watson at the far post.
A minute later Johnston put Celtic three up when he converted a penalty after Aitchison was tripped as he raced around the Vale keeper.
McKinstry sent a penalty wide of goal two minutes into the second half with Watson scoring his second with a well taken low shot across the keeper into the net after good build up play by Sean Bowers down the right.
Aitchison put Celtic five up midway through the second half after another lightening break by the hoops with Johnston nipping in front of the keeper to loft the final goal of the game in the 66th minute.
CELTIC: Alex Crean; Sean Bowers, Ciaran McKenna, Wallace Duffy, Daniel Church; Lewis Bell, Ross McLaughlin; Tony Ralston, Michael Johnston, Broque Watson; Jack Aitchison
SUBS: Aidan McAdams, Dan McAllister, Kenny Mearns, Kieran Divers, Robbie Deas, Grant Thorburn