Celtic’s u-17 side won the Loch Lomond Festival Trophy with a stylish 4-0 win over Sheffield United in the final.
A hat-trick from Ciaran Diver plus a goal from Michael Johnston gave Michael O’Halloran’s side a trophy to show for their efforts at Stirling University over the weekend.
In every area the young hoops were superior against opponents that they had drawn 2-2 with in the opening match of the four team event.
After drawing 2-2 on Friday night Celtic had reached the final with a 4-0 win over the Fife Elite Academy followed by a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle earlier today.
Celtic’s pace down the flanks had already troubled the Sheffield defence before Diver opened the scoring in the 18th minute converting from a Broque Watson pass.
Sheffield United almost equalised in the 27th minute when a low shot from a free kick hit the post but Celtic raced to the other end of the park where Diver produced a great headed finish after some trickery on the right from Jack Aitchison.
That goal took the wind from the Yorkshire side with the second half almost constant pressure on their defence.
Celtic should have extended their lead before the 54th minute when Johnston raced onto another great pass from Watson beore sliding his shot beyond the advancing keeper.
Two minutes later Diver completed his hat-trick, shooting low across the keeper from 18 yards out to complete an impressive weekend for the new look u-17 side.
CELTIC: Alex Crean; Sean Bowyers, Wallace Duffy, Robbie Deas, Dan Church; Lewis Bell. Ewan Henderson; Jack Aitchison, Michael Johnston (Ross McLaughlin 56), Broque Watson; Ciaran Diver
