Celtic u-19s clinch SPL title

Celtic’s u-19 side clinched the SPL title today with a 4-0 win over Motherwell in the rain of Bathgate.

A hat-trick from Greig Spence and a speculative goal from Tony Watt won the points and deservedly tied up the championship with a game to spare.

It was a fitting performance of purpose and style that summarised the season well with an upset never on the cards once Spence opened the scoring in the second minute.

A goal difference of 74-13 accurately reflects the team’s domination but with the final of the SFA Youth Cup against Rangers coming up on Wednesday the focus quickly moves on to Hampden.

The 22 match campaign stretching back to August never really got properly underway until the last few weeks when six away wins in 20 days underlined the resolve of Stevie Frail’s side.

From the Saturday morning back of August 22 when they demolished Hamilton Accies 8-0, with James Keatings scoring five, this Celtic team has shown itself to be a cut above their Scottish peers.

Three games into the campaign they faced a bruising test away to Hearts on what amounted to little more than a public park at their Riccarton Training HQ.

Some other qualities were called upon as they battled to a 1-0 win thanks to an instinctive goal early in the second half from ……. Keatings.

After a month long break due to various postponements Celtic beat Dundee United 2-0 at home with Islam Feruz on the scoresheet- you can probably guess who scored the other goal.

An 8-0 hammering of Kilmarnock was followed by a trip east to Hibs where the 100% and clean sheet records were casualties in a 1-1 draw before the biggest disappointment of the season- a 4-2 defeat at home to Rangers.

Beating Motherwell 3-1 four days later proved invaluable with a break of over two months coming up.

An educational trip to Turkey saw Tony Watt join up after his transfer from Airdrie with the resumption of league action on February 5 seeing Aberdeen beaten 3-0 away from home.

The introduction of the SFA Cup further disrupted the league campaign with Hearts and Rangers moving ahead having played more games.

A midweek trip to St Johnstone proved eventful with referee William Ferguson almost as substandard as the pitch at Tulloch Park.

Red cards for Stephen O’Donnell and Tony Watt and a missed penalty from Callum McGregor looked like proving costly until Keats came off the bench to snatch an equaliser- and other than a home draw with Aberdeen it’s been wins all the way taking in the footballing outposts of St Andrews, Kilwinning, Linlithgow, Cardonald and Dingwall to Bathgate.

A convincing 4-1 win away to Dundee United got the team back on the straight and narrow although a 2-2 draw in front of the watching Neil Lennon after a 5-0 win over St Mirren wasn’t well received.

Hibs were beaten 3-0 at home on March 19 before a clutch of away matches tested the side to the full.

Kilmarnock were hammered 6-0 before a white-knuckle 3-2 win over Hamilton prepared the side for D-Day with Rangers at Murray Park.

Early goals from Callum McGregor and a first from Tony Watt made up for the loss of the injured Keatings with Patrik Twardzik completing the scoring early in the second half.

Back to back wins over St Mirren and Inverness Caley Thistle took the team to the brink of the title with Wednesday’s SFA Cup Final with Rangers at Hampden offering another double triumph.

Meet the Champions

NICK FEELY: Taken his chance with ease and carries an impressive presence in goal. Nothing ever seems too much trouble for the laid back Aussie but when called upon he’s not been caught short.

ROBBIE THOMSON: Stepped up confidently from last season’s u-17side and instantly formed a good and vocal relationship with the back four. Was an ever-present until losing his place to Nick Feely after the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen

STEPHEN O’DONNELL: Despite being saddled with one of the most unfortunate nicknames in football SOD’s has been an energetic part of this season’s success. Shows fantastic pace and energy along the right flank which makes up for some dubious, and rare, goal celebrations

LEWIS TOSHNEY: After missing last season through injury the man from Lochee has formed a formidable partnership with Matty Hughes in central defence. Surprisingly hasn’t scored yet this season but a brief first team appearance as a sub against Aberdeen makes up for that

MATTY HUGHES: A born leader. Every team, and especially a defence needs a Matty. Forever encouraging and cajoling his team-mates Matty’s leadership qualities can’t be questioned with the late winning goal against Hamilton a perfect example.

KEIRAN BRENNAN: Just like SOD’s Kieran has developed into the modern full back. Charging purposefully down the left he’s never shy about letting his team-mates know exactly what he’s looking for.

CALLUM BAGGY BAGSHAW: Like Matty Hughes Baggy is a leader never letting any decision go uncontested. A box to box midfielder he shows a great appetite for work, scored twice from the penalty spot in the 4-2 defeat from Rangers in November.

CALLUM MCGREGOR: Started the season playing out wide but moved into a more central role where his link up play and eye for goal have been effective. Callum came into the side towards the end of last season and qualifies for next season’s side.

JACKSON IRVINE: Not yet gained the Skippy nickname, settled for the equally imaginative Jacko. Has came on leaps and bounds in recent weeks scoring against Hamilton and St Mirren and putting in a dominating display in the 3-0 win over Rangers

JORDAN LOWDON: Formed a great midfield duo at the start of the season alongside Baggy when the team was playing 4-2-3-1 but has missed out since the shape changed to 4-4-2. Has stood in for Kieran Brennan recently at left back.

FILIP TWARDZIK: After some fleeting appearances in the first half of the season Filip has been a regular over the last two months. Takes a lot of physical treatment from opponents but shows a great touch to match his vision.

PATRIK TWARDZIK: An inconsistent season from Patrik, he’s played mainly wide right on midfield and occasionally as a striker. Like Filip he has a great touch on the ball, best illustrated by his recent goal against Rangers at Murray Park

JAMES KEATINGS: With the ball on his left side 20 yards from goal I’d never bet against Keats finding the net. A phenomenal scoring record sadly halted by a knee injury picked up against Hamilton. Keats can make as big an impact on the first team as James Forrest

TONY WATT: Lost a lot of frustration with his first goal against Rangers at Murray Park. The harder he tried the more fate conspired against him as keepers pulled off incredible saves or the woodwork kept him out. The benefits of full time training are showing game by game with his physical presence certain to be a big asset next season.

BAHRUDIN ATAJIC: Missed the first few weeks from injury but shows a lot of class and scoring instinct. Chipped in with a few valuable goals as he develops his game outside of the penalty box without taking anything away from his poachers instinctive.

LIAM GORMLEY: Very much like Atajic, Liam has been unable to put together a regular run in the side but has contributed a few valuable goals and could have an important role to play against Rangers in the final of the SFA Youth Cup.

GREIG SPENCE: His return to fitness has been as pefectly timed as his runs into the six yard box. Great to see him back from injury and scoring from his favourite distance of three feet against Hamilton, six yards against St Mirren and possibly ten yards away to Inverness.

The others to have played over the campaign are Michael Ordish, Marcus Fraser, Curtis Jones and Darnell Fisher.

VIDEO OF SUPPORTERS TRIBUTE TO NEIL LENNON

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