Celtic’s Development side were always in charge as they cruised to a 4-0 win away to Falkirk.
A double from Luke Donnelly plus strikes from PJ Crossan and Regan Hendry reflected the balance of play with the outcome never in doubt after Donnelly opened the scoring in the ninth minute.
After having Monday’s trip to Ross County postponed Celtic’s Development side had a shorter trip to enjoy.
There were no overage players in Tommy McIntyre’s side with their hosts looking equally youthful.
Aidan McIlduff who has joined Queens Park on loan captained the side at left-back with Calvin Miller further forward attacking from the left.
The hoops started brightly and were rewarded with a goal in the ninth minute. Miller was the creator down the left, when his cut back fell to Donnelly he steered the ball into the net from eight yards out.
Nine minutes later Celtic could have been two in front but a Falkirk defender managed to head clear a Josh Kerr header from a corner on the right.
Kevin O’Hara came close to equalising when he smacked a shot off the bar before Ross Doolan reacted well to race from his box to block an effort from O’Hara.
Celtic were controlling the game with some neat passing between Donnelly, Regan Hendry and Mikey Johnston that was troubling the home defence.
HALF TIME Falkirk 0-1 Celtic
Two minutes into the second half Celtic doubled their lead when Mark Hill was held in the box with Donnelly casually slamming the penalty into the net.
The Falkirk fans weren’t too impressed by the female referee but she wasn’t intimidated and red carded O’Hara on the hour mark for elbowing Fiacre Kelleher in the face.
After that Falkirk just filtered back with Celtic responding by sending PJ Crossan on for McIlduff, switching to three at the back with Crossan joining Donnelly in attack.
Crossan didn’t have to wait long to make an impact, slotting the rebound home from six yards out after the Falkirk keeper could only parry a shot from Johnston.
It was constant Celtic pressure with Hendry next on the scoresheet, curling in a great shot from the edge of the box with ten minutes left to play.
Celtic kept pushing until the 90th minute but there was no further scoring.
CELTIC: Doohan, Wardrop (Duffy 68), Kerr, Kelleher, McIlduff (Crossan 61), Hill (Payne 68), McManus, Johnston, Hendry, Miller, Donnelly.
SUBS: McAdams, Bowers, Bell.
