Celtic’s new look u-19 side meet Hibs at noon today as they begin the quest for a third successive SPL title.
Half of last season’s double winning squad have moved on with coach Stevie Frail moving up to work with the development squad and John Kennedy coming in to work alongside Tommy McIntyre.
Former Hibs and Aberdeen defender McIntyre is in charge of the Professional end of the Academy looking after the u-17 and u-19 squads and is looking forward to the start of the new campaign.
He said: “Every team starts the season on an even footing and at this level they’ll all have hopes for success. Hibs will be no different and we’re looking forward to this match.
“We’ve had a good pre-season, put in a lot of work and the players have taken it all on board, now they are looking forward to getting started. They’ve had a varied preparation playing against Scottish and English opponents and also going over to Germany for a couple of matches.
“When there’s a competitive match at the end of the week it gives everyone a goal to aim for. The first match of the season is always very competitive and that’s what we expect when we face Hibs.
“The players know what is expected of them, they have their own targets and know that the big goal for all of them is to step up to the next level and be ready for the first team.”
Celtic’s back-four barely changed throughout last season but with Stephen O’Donnell, Matty Hughes, Lewis Toshney and Keiran Brennan no longer available it will be a completely recast defence that plays against Hibs.
McIntyre added: “Defenders and goalkeepers have their own targets just like strikers and that’s to keep clean sheets.
“When I first came into the club two seasons ago it was identified that we needed to become hard to beat as well as wanting to add to the goal tally.
“We’ve achieved that and the players coming into the side today know what is expected of them, most of them have been at the club a while and know how the professional side of the academy works.
“They know the demands and expectations at the club and they are anxious to get out there and prove themselves.”
In yesterday’s opening u-19 fixtures Aberdeen beat St Johnstone 4-0 at home with Dunfermline beating St Mirren 3-1.
CLICK HERE for @officialneil’s thoughts on Legends night
CLICK HERE for Celebrity Celtic fans
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
