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Second half turnaround pleases coach

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michael ohalloranMichael O’Halloran was delighted by the second half display that earned Celtic’s u-17 side a 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday at Lennoxtown.

For 45 minutes the young hoops found it tough going as they attempted to break down the Aberdeen defence.

Restricted to a couple of set pieces and long range pots at goal it looked like Celtic would have their work cut out to make the breakthrough.

A change of tempo worked wonders with Jack Aitchison and substitute Keiran Campbell finding the net while Aitchison, Lewis Bell and Michael Johnstone struck the woodwork.

We created some great chances in the second half and then it’s down to decision making for the boys,” O’Halloran said. “We should have scored a few more, sometimes players can picture the goal in their head when it might be better to roll the ball to a team-mate.

To be fair to them they did play a lot of of good football and were worthy winners, on another day some of the chances that came off the woodwork would end up in the back of the net.

At half time we told them to lift the tempo a bit, keep things simple. You don’t have to complicate things. We kept a good shape, worked harder and went out and enjoyed the second half.

Jack (Aitchison) has a fantastic work rate. In the first half we was dropping wide or deeper but we told him to stay more central and he got his reward with the goal. He works hard on his game, works hard in training and was good throughout the whole game.

In his role you have to be disciplined, hold your position and trust that chances will come your way, it’s hard work being a lone striker.”

Tonight Celtic’s u-19 side face HJK Helsinki in the first qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League, on Sunday Celtic travel to Somerset Park to take on Ayr United in the u-17 league.

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