After their emphatic 5-1 win over Annan Athletic Celtic’s Colts can look forward to tomorrow’s second round draw with confidence.
Annan were the second highest rated side that Celtic could have drawn against in the first round with the next round draw bringing in teams from League One.
Peterhead and Stranraer are the highest ranked teams that Celtic could face although they could meet up with another Colts side despite last night’s heavy casualties.
The Irn Bru experience was a short lived one for Dundee, St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle as they crashed out of the competition at the first hurdle.
Matching Celtic’s goal tally last night were the Partick Thistle Colts who handed Barry Ferguson’s Clyde a 5-0 drubbing at Broadwood.
After last night’s impressive display it’s likely that the television cameras will be following Tommy McIntyre’s side into the next round.
Despite the set back of losing a first minute goal Celtic were 3-1 in front by the interval with Aidan Nesbitt, Regan Hendry and Jack Aitchison finding the target.
Annan continued to push to get back into the tie but another goal from Nesbitt and a late debut goal from PJ Crossan gave the Colts a 5-1 win and a place in the second round.
Getting exposure to the competitive side of the game is important for the players development with McIntyre delighted by how last night went.
“It was exciting for us, we need to bridge the gap between Development League and the first team and this does it in my eyes,” the Celtic coach said.
“They expressed themselves even after they fell behind and this was a great experience for the players. I’d like to see this Colts team play in a senior league, that’s the next progression.”
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