Danny McGrain was delighted to book a place against Rangers in tomorrow’s quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Sevens.
In today’s group matches Celtic beat Hong Kong FC 2-0 in their opening match thanks to goals from Richie Towell and James Keatings.
After a goal-less draw with local side Happy Valley Celtic drew 1-1 with Birmingham City with Towell cancelling out Jake Jervis’ opener.
The Celtic squad has been made up entirely from this season’s double winning u-19 side with McGrain pleased with how they have adapted to the seven’s event.
He said: “Considering that every player is here for the first time, I think they have done magnificently well.
“They have coped with the conditions, the pitch, the rules and everything else. I’m happy just to be in the Cup tomorrow, because these boys are mostly 18, and it’s a great learning curve for them.
“The Player of the Tournament last year, Paul McGowan is now in the first team squad alongwith Niall McGinn so we’re hoping that these boys move up the ranks as well.”
Looking towards the Rangers match he added: “We beat Rangers last year in the final, so we’re looking forward to the game.
“These players have produced for us so far and they’ll have to do it again tomorrow. Paul Slane is struggling with a knee injury sustained in that last game against Birmingham.
“He’s one of our best players but he’s a doubt for tomorrow”.
Rangers topped Pool C with wins over West Ham, HKFC Captain’s Select and Teun Mun.
The Celtic- Rangers quarter final kicks off at 12.56 local time (BST+7) with the other quarter final ties being: Tai Po v Sunderland, Aston Vila-Ajax and Birmingham City v West Ham.
A non-Scottish official will be in charge of the Celtic-Rangers game which should suit the young hoops after a bad run of honest mistakes in this season’s derby matches refereed by Craig Thomson, Steve Conroy and Dougie McDonald.
The Masters Event includes some interestingly named side’s including Southampton Lloyds TSB, Nottingham Forest Mobsters and the Yau Yee Select Veterans.
Celtic squad: Danielle Giordano, Richie Towell, Matty Hughes, Declan Gallagher, Jason Lowdon, James Keatings, Sean Fitzharris, Paul Slane, Callum McGregor, Guest
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It is a very sad fact in this current time, but biased refs are a factor in Scotland today as much as they always have been and sadly, probably always will be. The reference to how the kids would be happy at a local ref for this tournament is sad, but very much a fact of today.