Scott Allan put in an eye catching display as Celtic convincingly beat Hearts 2-0 in the Development League at Dumbarton.
It was the former Hibs midfielder’s first appearance since September 8 but there was no signs of rustiness as he twisted and turned tormenting the Hearts as he pressed towards goal at every opportunity.
Fiacre Kelleher and Regan Hendry scored the goals as Celtic made it seven wins and a draw from their opening eight matches in the Development League.
After last week’s visit to the Toni Macaroni Arena (Livingston) Celtic paid their first ever trip to the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock.
Allan starred in the central attacking midfield role flanked by Aidan Nesbitt and Calvin Miller supporting Luke Donnelly in attack. Despite the close attention of his opponents, sometimes too close, Allan always made himself available to receive the ball and was equally effective driving forward or threading the ball to better placed team-mates.
There were chances at both ends in the 12th minute with Calum Waters booting the ball off the line after Leo Fasan had let the ball slip under. Celtic broke quickly to the other end but Miller blazed a shot wide from 15 yards out after creating space down the left flank.
Celtic took the lead in the 20th minute from a free kick awarded against Ian Smith for a foul on Allan. The former Hibs midfielder fired in an inswinging cross from the right with Kelleher meeting it at the front post to send his shot behind former Sevco starlet Scott Gallacher.
The hoops were enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to break through the well drilled Hearts defence.
At the interval Hendry replaced Donnelly with Miller coming off the wing to play as the sole striker. Miller should have doubled Celtic’s lead in the 48th minute but failed to connect after Allan cut the ball back from the bye-line.
The second goal was only delayed by four with Hendry showing good anticipation to slide the ball into the net from Jack Breslin’s low driven cross.
Hearts managed to survive without losing any more goals but the scoreline barely reflects the gulf between the teams with Allan well supported by his younger team-mates.
CELTIC: Fasan; Breslin, Kelleher, McCart, Waters; Thomson, McManus; Nesbitt (Hill 63), Allan (Murray 83), Miller; Donnelly (Hendry 46)
SUBS: McIlduff, McCabe, Lafferty
