A very youthful Celtic side showed maturity beyond their years to beat the Puskas Academy from Hungary 3-0 last night to progress to the last 24 of the UEFA Youth League.
The young hoops can now look forward to the final matchday in the Champions League groups knowing that they’ll have a one off match against a group runner-up to earn a place in the last 16 of the competition against the group winners.
Overhauling a 1-0 first leg defeat is never an easy task but first half goals from Theo Archibald and Calvin Miller edged Celtic in front but the threat of an away goal was ever present with the tie carefully balanced throughout the second half.
Puskas Academy had a few half chances but found skipper Fiacre Kelleher in commanding form at the back with Miller showing great composure to score in the 85th minute to kill the tie off.
Tommy McIntyre’s side were without the suspended Joe Thomson with the midfield dealt another blow with Mark Hill missing through injury. Fifteen-year-old Jack Aitchison came into the side as striker with Miller dropping into midfield while Jack Breslin was pushed forward from right-back into one of the holding midfield positions.
At the back Conor Hazard replaced Colin McCabe in goals while Dan Higgins, without a competitive game all season replaced Breslin at right-back.
It was a cautious start to the match with both side’s keen to give nothing away but just before the half hour mark Celtic went in front when Archibald took advantage of a slip by a Hungarian defender to net with a shot from 15 yards that took a deflection on it’s way into the net.
Six minutes from the break Celtic were level with a bizarre goal from Miller. Aitchison turned his man brilliantly just inside the Puskas half then sent a hopeful ball down the left channel for Miller to chase. As the Hungarian keeper raced out he smacked his clearance off the Celtic player with the ball spinning brilliantly into the net.
For readers of a certain vintage it was very similar to Owen Archdeacon’s classic goal of 1987 against Rangers (IL) from a Chris Woods clearance.
As the second half developed the Hungarian’s came more into the match without creating any real clear cut chances around the Celtic goal.
With five minutes left to play Miller put the issue beyond doubt with well worked goal.
Aitchison chased the ball down towards the corner flag forcing a Puskas defender into a hurried clearance. Breslin picked up the loose ball, sent it through to Miller who jinked past a defender then curled a low shot past the keeper from just inside the penalty box.
The goal was met with relief and joy as was the final whistle with another continental test to look forward to in the new year.
CELTIC: Hazard; Higgins, Kelleher, McCart, McIlduff: Breslin; Archibald, Nesbitt (Murray), Hendry, Miller: Aitchison (Johnson).
SUBS: McCabe, Payne