Celtic’s u-17 side hit the silverware trail at Ibrox tonight when the face Rangers in the final of the Glasgow Cup.
Both sides won the home fixture in the group phase of the revamped tournament with tonight’s match played to a finish.
Playing at a major stadium in front of a crowd is a novelty for most of the players after a season spent playing in front of relatives on or training grounds.
Handling the big time experience is crucial in the development of young players with Tommy McIntyre a big fan of the Glasgow Cup.
McIntyre’s remit overlooks the u-17 and u-19 set up to ensure as smooth a transition of players as possible.
Last season’s final was settled by a goal from Paul George with Joe Chalmers, Marcus Fraser and John Herron also starring in the Celtic win.
All four players have had a big impact on Celtic’s title winning u-19 side with tonight’s match the opportunity for players like Lewis Kidd, Jamie Lindsay, Denny Johnstone and Stuart Findlay to sign off in style from the u-17 set up.
“We are always looking to see players progress, this team can see the way that last season’s u-17’s have stepped up to play at the next level,” McIntyre explained. “That is something that every group has to attain and this u-17 group are no different.
“We’re looking for a good performance and retaining the trophy, the Glasgow Cup is a great tournament and to be contesting the final at Ibrox is a game that we’re looking forward to.
“It’s a match that is part of young players education and development- putting them on a platform to handle the occasion and that’s what we’ll be looking for.
“Stuart Findlay and Lewis Kidd have been involved in the Next Gen series which has been a fantastic experience. It’s helped the u-19’s gel as a team and these steps are all part of player development. International matches is a big factor as well and they gain from all of these experiences.”
A derby match with a trophy at stake is a special occasion at any level with McIntyre well aware of what is at stake.
He added: “We won at Lennoxtown, Rangers won at Murray Park, both games were very closely contested and I don’t think that it will be any different at Ibrox.
“We need to understand our players, how they respond to things on and off the pitch and how they handle these occasions.
“They’ve all been at the club long enough to know what this match means,
“It’ll be two teams hotly contesting a match, there’s respect between the the sides and I hope its a good occasion for youth development.”
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7pm with the Broomloan Road stand open for Celtic fans, admission £5 or £2 for concessions
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Best of luck to the young guns, If they play to their potential then the cup will be coming back home.
Topping the group with some ease would be nicely rounded off by winning the trophy. Make a name for yourselves bhoys.