Celtic’s u-17 side returned to league action on Sunday with a convincing 6-0 win over Hearts at their Herriot Watt Training Complex.
International commitments and a variety of postponements meant that it was the first league outing for Michael O’Halloran’s side since October 12.
Two Glasgow Cup ties, against Queens Park and Partick Thistle, plus a weekend trip to Liverpool for the u-16 side had kept most of the squad active as they travelled east to face Hearts having beaten the Edinburgh side 1-0 at Lennoxtown earlier in the season.
Playing on the artificial turf ensured that the match went ahead with Michael Johnston opening the scoring for the visitors from the penalty spot in the ninth minute.
Against Thistle in the Glasgow Cup Celtic scored six times in the last half hour- O’Halloran had to settle for five against Hearts as his side turned on the style and discovered the killer instinct around goal.
Right-back Sean Bowers created the second goal for Christian Antoniazzi with Ross McLaughlin putting the hoops three in front after a great flowing move.
Despite leading 3-0 Celtic refused to ease up with Johnston scoring three times in the last ten minutes to complete an outstanding team performance.
Johnston was a late substitute for the Celtic u-19 side in their 3-0 UEFA Youth League win over the Puskas Academy. In a brief substitute appearance for the Development side last season he scored in a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Tomorrow night Tommy McIntyre takes an u-21 side to Aldershot to face Chelsea in the Premier League International Cup.
HEARTS 0-6 CELTIC (Johnston 4, McLaughlin, Antonazzi)
