Celtic’s youth team players certainly haven’t let anyone down when given the chance by Neil Lennon this season.
Marcus Fraser played like a veteran alongside Daniel Majstorovic when he was brought on for the second half of the 3-1 Europa League win over Rennes.
Dylan McGeough came up with a goal-of-the-season contender coming on as a substitute while Filip Twardzik showed some quality playing for almost the entire second half of the title clincher at Kilmarnock.
Topping it all was yesterday’s double strike from Tony Watt that showcased the ability bubbling below the surface at Celtic Park.
McGeough, Twardzik and Watt are likely to feature in the first team over the remaining matches of the season but tonight at Hampden John Kennedy’s entire squad will be looking to make it a double winning season for the third year running.
First Division Queen of the South provide the opposition but on the back of a 12 match winning run stretching back to November the young hoops are strong favourites to make it another night to remember at Hampden.
Robbie Thomson: Returned to the side after injury in the recent 4-0 win over Hibs. Robbie is an all-action goalkeeper and revels in the drama of penalties, modelling his style on Joe Hart! He saved a vital penalty in a 2-1 win at St Johnstone this season and also last season in a 1-0 win over runners-up Hearts.
Darnell Fisher: Tenacious just about begins to describe the bhoy from Reading. Loves to be in the thick of the action but has made the right-back position his own in recent weeks although he prefers to play in centre midfield. Darnell reads the game well and likes nothing better than a 50-50 challenge.
Curtis Jones: Signs off as a Celt at the weekend after his best ever spell at the club. Curtis was unable to break into last season’s side due to the form and consistency of Matty Hughes and Lewis Toshney but has quickly formed a solid partnership with Marcus Fraser. Curtis can mix the physical side of the game with picking out a pass and has a decent eye for goal.
MARCUS FRASER: Nothing seems to faze Marcus as he demonstarted in his top team debut against Rennes. A natural leader at the back he has all the qualities that are required in the modern defender and has a Roy Aitken style ability to charge up the park when required.
JOE CHALMERS: Has barely been troubled all season in the problem left-back position. A natural defender with a great left foot capable of pinpoint crosses and damaging set pieces, missed out on the win over Hibs due to injury but will be available and looking forward to playing at Hampden.
JOHN HERRON: Has been shifted from centre midfield onto the right but taken to the move with ease. John has a great eye for goal, netting 11 times this season and scoring last week for Scotland in the 4-1 win away to Serbia. Cutting in from the right side of the park allows him to combine with the central midfielders and time his runs into the penalty box.
CALLUM MCGREGOR: On his third visit to Hampden, Callum has evolved from being a winger into a central midfielder over the last 18 months with a great eye for goal. He’s formed a great partnership with Jackson Irvine in the middle of the park with both players capable of pushing forward or playing in a more holding role.
JACKSON IRVINE: Has made incredible progress over the last 15 months. Was a bit raw at times last season but is now turning in consistent, composed performances while also showing the leadeship qualities expected of a Celtic skipper. Has had a torrid times in front of goal in the SPL, claiming to have struck the bar SEVEN times, he’s scored three times in this season’s cup run.
DYLAN MCGEOUGH: Has only made occassional youth team appearances due to first team commitments including that amazing first team goal against St Mirren. Struck the bar 10 minutes into his debut against Hearts and has made a big impact on the side with his willingness to get on the ball and push forward challenging defenders.
FILIP TWARDZIK: Like McGeough Filip has spent a lot of the season with the first team but has came up with his fair share of youth team goals and is always likely to score from free-kicks. Filip is in the mould of a classical Number 10, came off the bench two years ago to score with a rare header to clinch the 2010 SFA Youth Cup after Sean Fitzharris had opened the scoring.
JAMES ALABI: James waited very patiently to get his chance behind Tony Watt. Paul George’s unfortunate injury provided him with a chance against Rangers two weeks ago which he maximised with two goals in a 3-0 win. Like Watt he is a powerful runner but has also shown a good idea for goal in the penalty area with three goals in his last two appearances.
Leo Fasan hardly lost a goal deputising for Robbie Thomson and is a more than able back-up. Midfielder Lewis Kidd and Jamie Lindsay have both played for the u-17 side this season, Bahrudin Atajic and Liam Gormley are very capable impact subs while defender Stewart Lindsay excelled in the 4-2 Next Gen win away to Manchester City.
