A first half double from Greig Spence helped Celtic’s u-19 return to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Falkirk after the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat from Rangers.
Spence had suffered the agony of seeing an injury timer shot against Rangers slip over the bar todeny the hoops a draw but showed great character to score from two one-on-ones with the Falkirk keeper.
“I’m pleased for Greig that he scored two goals, one on his left side which we’ve been working on,” coach Stevie Frail said.
“We looked again at the chance against Rangers and we both said that it was a one that he should have put away.
“Maybe coming on as a substitute didn’t help him on Saturday but he started today and showed his ability with two well taken strikers goals”.
The former Alloa striker was restored to the starting XI alongwith Michael Ordish in place of James Forrest and Patrik Twardzik.
The new look formation saw Ordish and Sean Fitzharris playing on either flank with Spence through the centre in front of a three man midfield comprising of James Keetings, Grant Gallagher and Filip Twardzik
Celtic got off to a bad start when the Falkirk No.7 was given space in the penalty box to collect a cross from the left and drill a low shot beyond Daniele Giordano in the 13th minute.
There were some harsh words exchanged between the players after that goal but seven minutes later Spence equalised after being sent through on goal by Twardzik with the striker showing composure to sent his shot inside the keeper’s left hand post from 18 yards out.
After the Falkirk goal Fitzharris swapped from left wing to right with Ordish moving over onto the left.
Keatings was looking impressive in central midfield with the balance between the midfield trio posing Falkirk problems.
Six minutes from the interval Richie Towell put in a typical whiolehearted tackle 40 yards from goal to win the ball, with one pass the ball was sent through to Spence who showed confidence from his earlier goal to net from the edge of the penalty box.
Early in the second half substitute Patrik Twardzik secured the points when he headed home from close range after being set up by his brother Filip.
TEAM: Giordano; Towell, Gallagher, Hughes, Lowden; F Twardzik, G Gallagher, Keatings; Ordish (P Twardzik 56), Spence (Jones 70), Fitzharris
