Michael O’Halloran was delighted by Celtic’s 6-0 win over the Fife Elite Academy on Sunday.
In the previous home match, a 1-0 win over Hearts, he had expressed his concern about a lack of composure around goal leading to problems later on in matches.
A hat-trick and five star display from Michael Johnston caught the eye against Fife with Broque Watson, Dan McAllister and Kerr McInroy also on target as the hoops converted their superiority into goals.
Johnston was deployed in the advanced midfield role supporting Jack Aitchison as striker before moving up front for the last 20 minutes to inflict further punishment on the visitors.
“We’re getting Michael to recognise when to run with the ball and when to pass it, it’s decision making for him,” O’Halloran explained. “He’s at a young age where he wants to do as much on the ball as he can, we understand that but he knows that it will help him more if he moves the ball as well. There are times to run with it and times when you move it on quickly.
“He persevered to the end and deserved his hat-trick after seeing one disallowed and another effort come off the post. I put him on penalties at the start of the season because he has the ability and confidence to stick it in the back of the net.
“We’ve played him through the middle before, he’s comfortable there. It’s only 15 yards further forward, if you are a good player you can play anywhere. Michael is a talented boy.”
With five wins from their opening five matches the team has started the season well with Dundee United and Hearts among the opponents so far.
Moving into the professional side of the club academy becomes more demanding as the pressure intensifies to deliver results as well as developing players.
After preparing for the new season with a stint in Austria O’Halloran is pleased with the way the squad has opened the new season.
“I think we are making great progress, developing the right way,” he added. “We are looking for perfection, we want to walk away after a match saying that was it but there are still things that we need to tighten up on. Defensively we are making a few mistakes putting ourselves under pressure by not taking the right options.
“There are expectations, we’ve made a lot of progress but we know that there is a long long way to go.”
CLICK HERE for Sunday’s match report.
