A last minute header from Innes Murray earned Celtic’s development side a 2-2 draw away to Clyde at Broadwood this afternoon.
The League Two side were streetwise and match sharp throughout the game giving Tommy McIntyre’s side a great workout with one eye on the Irn Bru Cup tie against Annan Athletic on August 2.
Clyde were twice in front but were pulled back thanks to goals from Aidan McIlduff and Murray with the Celtic XI virtually all eligible to play at u-19 level.
With Jamie McCart with the first team squad in Slovenia Mark Hill dropped into central defence to partner Fiacre Kelleher with Sam Wardrop at right back and McIlduff on the other flank.
Joe Thomson, Regan Hendry and Conor McManus formed the midfield with Aidan Nesbit on the right and Calvin Miller on the left supporting Jack Aitchison.
Clyde were lively from the first whistle showing the benefit of having played a handful of pre-season matches as they knocked the ball around testing the hoops backline.
After a few near things around the Celtic goal the home side took the lead in the 19th minute when Peter McDonald shot home from 15 yards following a cross from former Celt Jordan Lowdon on the left.
It took Celtic a while to find their feet but ten minutes from the break Miller tested home keeper John Gibson with a low shot with the keeper happy to send Thomson’s rebound out for a corner.
Just before the interval Celtic were back on level terms when McIlduff, who spent time on loan at Clyde in season 14/15. fired in a spectacular shot from 25 yards out.
Celtic started the second half confidently with the Clyde keeper saving well from Aitchison and substitute Theo Archibald.
With 20 minutes left Dylan Easton looked to have won the game for the homeside but in stoppage time the Clyde keeper parried a shot from Dan Higgins with Murray managing to head the rebound into the net.
CELTIC: Hazard; Wardrop (Higgins 46), Kelleher, Hill (Duffy 75), McIlduff (Bell 75); Hendry (Trialist 75), Thomson, McManus (Murray 65); Nesbitt (Watson 75), Aitchison (Aitchison 65), Miller (Archibald 65)