Celtic youths defeat Dunfermline

 Celtic’s youth side bounced back from their midweek defeat in Marseilles to beat Dunfermline 2-0 at Lennoxtown today.

John Kennedy was without the over-age duo Nick Feely and Lewis Toshney as well as the suspended Tony Watt but after a dogged first half two goals after the break from Bahrudin Atajic and John Herron secured the points.

With Filip Twardzik injured and Callum McGregor starting the match on the bench goalkeeper Robbie Thomson and Jackson Irvine were the only regulars from last season’s double winning side in the starting eleven.

Fresh from their 3-1 win over St Mirren on the opening day of the season Dunfermline were purposeful and well organised although they rarely threatened the Celtic goal.

Atajic played up front as the sole striker with Paul George, Herron and Rhys Williamson pushing forward at every opportunity with the midfield anchored by Jackson Irvine and Lewis Kidd.

The first chance of the day fell to Herron in the 14th minute but his effort crashed off the post with the Pars keeper denying the same played seven minutes later with a fine block after a pass from George had opened up the Dunfermline defence. George and Atajic had chances with headers before the break but the first half ended goal-less.

Celtic continued to force the play after the break with George unable to control the rebound in the 49th minute after a long range shot from Atajic came off the post.

Cup Final hero Liam Gormley replaced Williamson in the 58th minute with the substitute making an instant impact. Beating his man on the right flank his cross into the box was taimed by Atajic before striking an eight yard effort past the Pars keeper.

The breakthrough was well deserved with Celtic sticking to their passing game throughout although the forwards seemed out of luck when they got into the last third of the park.

Seven minutes from time Gormley was involved in the second goal- this time from the right wing. The former Motherwell man squared the ball to McGregor just as he was body checked with McGregor racing into the box before laying the ball off to Herron who angled his shot over the keeper into the net.

Next Saturday Celtic travel to Aberdeen on SPL business before the Next Gen Series clash with Barcelona at Celtic Park.

With two wins from two matches the young hoops are sitting at the top of the table alongside Hearts.

CELTIC: Robbie Thomson: Mikey Miller, Marcus Fraser, Curtis Jones, Joe Chalmers; Lewis Kidd, John Herron, Jackson Irvine, Rhys Williamson (Liam Gormley 58); Bahrudin Atajic (McGregor 78), Paul George.

SUBS: Leo Fazan, Mo Yaqub, Joe O’Brien, Denny Johnstone, Darnell Fisher

TOTAL SCORERS: Watt 3, F Twardzik 1, Atajic 1, Herron 1