Celtic’s youth team go to Hampden tonight looking to clinch the double of SFA Youth Cup and SPL title.
On Saturday they beat Motherwell 4-0 at Bathgate to clinch the title- their sixth away win since April 5.
Over a 22 match league season they have proved themselves to be too strong for their peers with a stunning goal difference of 74-13 averaging more than 3.5 goals per game over 21 matches.
Tonight’s match with Rangers will provide them with their toughest test of the season especially with strikers James Keatings and Tony Watt absent.
A knee injury to Keats against Hamilton earlier this month brought his season to a halt while Watt is ineligible having played, and scored a hat-trick against Kilmarnock, earlier in the competition while at Airdrie.
Fit again Greig Spence will lead the line for Celtic tonight with either Bahrudin Atajic, Patrik Twardzik or Liam Gormley likely to be brought in to partner the former Alloa striker.
For anyone going along to Hampden tonight below is an outline of the Celts looking to match last season’s double winners.
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. Since coming into the side Nick has kept clean sheets in six out of eight matches.
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. Enthusiastically sponsored by O’Donnell Catering Ltd.
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. Will have a coach full of fans from Lochee cheering on tonight.
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. GMP shifts have been known to accommodate the Celtic fixture list.
KEIRAN BRENNAN: Just like SOD’s Keiran 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. Keiran doesn’t get into the penalty box often but knows exactly where to deliver the ball for strikers.
CALLUM 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. Baggy scored last week at Inverness and has been a regular in the side for the last 14 months
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
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.
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.
GREIG SPENCE: His return to fitness has been as perfectly 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. Greig’s hat-trick against Motherwell on Saturday clinched the SPL title.
To reach the final Celtic have beaten Dundee, Airdrie, Stenhousemuir and Livingston.
In their SPL matches with Rangers Celtic lost 4-2 at home in November but beat Rangers 3-0 at Murray Park on April 12 thanks to goals from Callum McGregor, Tony Watt and Patrik Twardzik.
CELTIC U-19?s CLINCH SPL TITLE
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