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Robbie Thomson shoot out save earns Celtic Jock Stein Friendship Cup

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Celtic’s u-19 side survived the culture shock of Third Division Albion Rovers to retain the Jock Stein Friendship Cup on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Cliftonhill.

The hard working home side gave Celtic exactly the workout that they required which will provide Stevie Frail and his coaching staff with plenty to work on ahead of Saturday’s top of the table clash away to Hearts.

Callum McGregoe, Filip Twardzik and Bahrudin Atajic scored for Celtic with Hugh Kerr, Peter Innes and John Gemmell replying for the home side.

In the shoot out Atajic converted Celtic’s final penalty with Kieran Brennan, Islam Feruz, Stephen O’Donnell and McGregor also finding the net whilst Robbie Thomson pulled off a spectacular save from Rovers third penalty.

“Our players were up against honest, hard working guys who have sustained careers in the game and they weren’t there to let our kids go out and play,” Frail said afterwards.

“They made it hard, they worked us hard and at half time we were disappointed with the way that we had played. At times we were slack but we had a young side and it was a great experience for everyone.

“We learned a lot from the match, they showed experience in a few situations in terms of using their body and how to clear their lines.

“We encourage everyone to play the ball but you have to identify when you can and when you can’t play.

“Defenders need to know when to take a touch and when to clear the ball, their development is on-going. We’ll have a few things to look at in the video analysis, we lost some sloppy goals but came through it well.”

There were a few old fashioned rolls and bumps on the pitch that took the Celtic team quite a bit of getting used to with Kerr heading the homeside in front in the 11th minute.

Liam Gormley wasn’t getting much change out of the home defenders with the supporting attackers of Michael Ordish, James Keatings and McGregor failing to exert their usual crisp passing style on the match.

Just before the half hour mark Matty Hughes was dispossessed 30 yards from goal but new keeper Nick Feely pulled off a solid save from the advancing Rovers forward.

Eight minutes from the break McGregor equalised for Celtic when he snatched the ball away from a Rovers defender then shot first time past Derek Gaston into the goal.

At the interval Feruz replaced Ordish with Celtic going in front in the 50th minute when Filip Twardzik headed home a corner from the left flighted in by McGregor.

That goal failed to settle the Celtic defence with Hughes at fault as Innes robbed him of possession then netted past Feely in the 54th minute.

On the hour mark Celtic were back in front again when Atajic glanced home a free kick from Callum Bagshaw with a well timed run to the front post.

“Bahrudin is a clever player,” Frail added. “We need to get him fitter, he had a long lay off after getting injured against Rangers last year, he’s still lacking a bit in his pre-season work.

“He brings something to our play with his intelligence and the area of the park that he works in.

“All good strikers know where the ball is going to be delivered. Greig Spence was terrific for us last year, he’s a goal scorer and we’ll be working with him when he comes back frok injury.

“Strikers need to hold the ball up and lay it off but you want goalscorers in and around the box.”

There was some meaty challenges going in with the age of the Celtic side dropping further with the introduction of Joe Chalmes and Jackson Irvine with Rovers equalising in the 87th minute when a free kick into the Celtic box was headed goalwards with Gemmell netting from close range.

Despite that blow Celtic stood up to be counted and retained the trophy with a 5-4 win in the shoot out.

“Every penalty shoot out requires nerves,” Frail added. “Even when it’s soccer 6’s. I’ve took them and missed them, it’s about nerves.

“Our five penalties were excellent, the players showed some character and Robbie pulled off a great save to win the trophy.”

CELTIC: Feely (Thomson 60); O’Donnell, Gallagher, Hughes (Jones 64) , Brennan; Bagshaw, F Twardzik (Chalmers 85); Ordish (Feruz 45) , Keatings (Irvine 78), McGgregor; Gormley (Atajic 51)

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