Where do I start? What a stunning performance from the Celtic u-19’s winning 4-2 away at Manchester City. If the result flattered anyone it was the home side.
Celtic played the sort of football that is in the DNA of the club with the displays by two goal Paul George and Dylan McGeough the icing on the cake. If ever a performance was about 11, or 14 players, it was tonight as Celtic belatedly announced their entry into the Next Gen Series after two false starts against Marseilles and Barcelona.
In both of those matches Celtic had shown glimpses of what they were capable of but at Ewan Fields, home of Hyde FC, it all came spectacularly together for John Kennedy and the youth team coaches.
For the first time McGeough and George lined up in the same side and right from the start Celtic showed their intentions as Callum McGregor burst through on goal but saw his shot parried by Angus Gunn in the home goal within sixty seconds of kick-off.
Bizarrely it was City that drew first blood scoring in the ninth minute. Joe Chalmers got a cross from the right caught between his feet in the six yard box and as he struggled to clear his lines Joan Roman nipped in to poke the ball into the net.
That could have been the signal for the heads to go down and another tale of woe for Celtic on their travels but Kennedy’s side weren’t downhearted and levelled the scores midway through the first half.
City keeper Gunn, an England u-17 internationalist and son of former Norwich and Scotland keeper Bryan, failed to control a pass back allowing George to nip in, Gunn managed to parry the Irish internationalists shot but John Herron was waiting on the rebound and smacked home his fourth goal in as many games to the delight of the Packie Bonner CSC and friends behind the goal.
Celtic’s five man midfield were dominating the game with City struggling to make inroads and apparently unable to change their style to combat the visitors. Herron and on the right and George on the left were providing width and support to Tony Watt while McGeough, McGregor and Filip Twardzik switched roles and positions with ease as Celtic pushed for a second goal.
Seven minutes from the interval Watt had a decent claim for a penalty waved away but from McGregor’s corner on the right George darted forward to meet the cross and direct his header into the net.
After a lengthy half time break to allow the players to recover from the torrential rain Celtic started the second period showing the same purpose they had demonstrated throughout the first half. In every area Celtic were superior with their slick passing, pace, movement, team work and confidence forcing the play towards the home goal.
On the hour mark Celtic extended their lead when McGeough collected a corner, held off two players as he raced into the box then picked out George at the front post who steered the ball into the net from eight yards out.
Just as Celtic were beginning to look comfortable Denis Suarez carved a chance out of nothing in the 65th minute sending a perfect shot arching over Robbie Thomson into the net as the home support briefly found their voice.
Any hopes of a comeback were knocked stone dead three minutes later when Watt scored the goal of the night. George showed great control to tame a ball out of defence and immediately set off racing down the left flank. Cutting inside he sent an inch perfect pass into the path of the former Airdrie man who did the move justice by drilling a low shot into the net.
Celtic kept on pushing to the final whistle and ended the night as worthy winners and back in contention for a place in the knock out stages being held in Abu Dhabi in January.
Marseilles host Barcelona on Tuesday night but November 7 is the next big date for Celtic as they host City at Celtic Park knowing that a repeat of their performance at Manchester will give them everything to play for in the final two matches.
MANCHESTER CITY: Gunn; Veseli, Rekik, Plummer (Coulson 46), Mappen-Walters; Huws, Clowes (Drury 70); Suarez, Roman, Henshall; Bunn
Subs not used: Halsall, King, Leigh, Cole, Hiwula
CELTIC: Thomson; Miller, Irvine, Fraser, Chalmers; Herron (Atajic 77), F Twardzik (Murrell-Williamson), McGeough, McGregor, George (P Twardzik 70); Watt
Subs not used: Feely, Findlay, Bogle, Alabi
SCORERS: Herron, George 2, Watt
Great job Joe. Well done lads!
Great uplifting news. Well done lads!
I was at the game last night Celtic dominated the game for most of the match an excellent team performance all round. It was good to see the stars of the future and have a good sing song too in terrible weather conditions.
The young Bhoys were roared on by a travelling support of around 200 in an 800 or so crowd the team appreciated the support and all came over to the Celtic fans at the end to thank them for their efforts.
Was at the game, a joy to watch these lads, took the City team apart all over the park. Well done!
Well done the young Hoops.
Excellent news ! Thanks Joe !