Callum McGregor
Celtic’s youth side returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Motherwell at Lennoxtown today.
All three goals came in the first half as Stevie Frail’s side recovered from Tuesday’s defeat to Rangers.
Paul George and Filip Twardzik were drafted into the side with Michael Ordish and Liam Gormley dropping onto the bench with George making the most of his first u-19 start of the season.
The 16-year-old from Belfast put Celtic ahead in 12th minute with a low drive from the edge of the penalty box and was a constant threat to the Motherwell defence.
“It was an excellent first half but a disappointing second half,” Frail admitted. “Motherwell got an early goal in the second half but we seemed to stop playing. We never showed the same movement as we had in the first half and caused ourselves problems.
“There was a lot of positives and also a lot that we have to work on as well. The players set their own standard in the first half and that’s what they have to maintain.
“It was a fantastic first half performance, I don’t think that many teams will live with us if we play like that but we need to try and sustain it for more than 45 minutes.”
Celtic passing and movement was sharp throughout the first half. Jordan Lowdon’s passing was a real feature with full-backs Stephen O’Donnell and Kieran Brennan always eager to push forward.
George’s pace and trickery was effective on either flank with the early goal helping the team to settle.
In the 28th minute a great diagonal ball from Lowdo picked out Callum McGregor who showed good composure to put Celtic two in front.
Six minutes later McGregor netted his second when he accepted a pass from O’Donnell and resisted the option to return the ball before tucking the ball across the Motherwell keeper into the far corner of the net.
Celtic could have gone four up before the break but the visiting keeper dived well to save a penalty from Callum Bagshaw.
The second half was a much flatter performance with Motherwell pulling a goal back in the 52nd minute when a low 25 yard drive found the net.
Ordish and John Heron were sent on to replace George and Bagshaw but there was to be no further scoring.
Next Saturday Celtic face Hamilton Accies who beat Rangers 3-1 today.
CELTIC Thomson, O’Donnell, Hughes, Toshney, Brennan; F Twardzik, Bagshaw (Heron 83), Lowdon, George (Ordish 66), McGregor, P Twardzik
SUBS: Feely, Fraser, Gormley, Chalmers, Atajic
GOALS: George 12, McGregor (28 & 34)