Celtic’s youth side turned in their worst performance of the season slumping to a 4-2 defeat to Rangers today.
The Ibrox kids took the lead in the first minute through Christiano Kisuka and never looked in danger of losing the match.
Celtic created plenty of first half chances but couldn’t match the ruthless streak in front of goal that their opponents showed.
Kisuka found himself unmarked ten yards from goal to knock home a cross from Dylan McGeough with Kal Naismith doubling the lead in the 23rd minute with a well struck free kick.
“There’s tonnes for us to work on,” admitted youth coach Stevie Frail afterwards. “We’ll continue to praise the players when they do well but today they have to take the criticism.
“It was a heavy defeat. Development comes from winning games; it’s not all about making nice football players- we need to develop players by winning matches.
“We had defenders who at times wanted to play too much football, their first job is to defend.
“But defending isn’t just about defenders. Strikers have to work hard when they don’t have the ball, they have to put themselves on the line. That means that they have to go in where it hurts- they might take a kick- but they’ll have to do that if they want to develop as players.”
Callum Bagshaw gave Celtic hope of getting something from the match when he converted a 42nd minute penalty but Rangers restored their two goal advantage in the 50th minute when McGeough sent a 25 yard drive high over Robbie Thomson.
Bagshaw replied almost immediately with another penalty but despite bringing on Bahrudin Atajic and Paul George Celtic were unable to force an equaliser.
Rangers were a constant threat on the break with Naismith putting the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute when he netted after a Kisuka effort came off the woodwork.
CELTIC: Thomson, O’Donnell, Toshney, Hughes, Brennan (Fisher 72); Ordish (Atajic 58), Bagshaw, Lowdon, McGregor; P Twardzik, Gormley (George 76)
SUBS Feeley, Chalmers, Heron, Fraser
GOALS: Bagshaw 42 & 52 both penalties
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