'New bhoys' Lassad and Rabui please Kennedy

John Kennedy was delighted by his makeshift side’s point against Hearts on Tuesday night.

The goal-less draw ended Celtic’s 100% domestic record for the season but a young and inexperienced defence kept a clean sheet against last season’s runners-up.

Callum Watters and Glen Daniels had each made one appearance going into the match while towering centre half Eoghan O’Connell made his debut.

With half a dozen players away on international duty Lassad Nouioui and Rabui Ibrahim were drafted in with Kennedy pleased by the way that his side bonded together to take a point.

“Rabui was excellent,” Kennedy explained. “He played in the area between the midfield and Lassad up front and caused Hearts all-sorts of problems.

“He took quite a few tough challenges and took them well. We’re delighted with him and it was good for Lassad to get some game time as well, that’s what the manager wanted.

“They both showed a great attitude, sometimes first team players don’t fancy going to places like Newtongrange on a Tuesday night but they got on well with the other players and led by example which gave the team a lift.”

Watch Joe Chalmers score for Scotland u-19’s 2 min 20 sec

Celtic created two early opportunities for Bahridin Atajic and Lassad but chances were at a premium on a fiery junior pitch.

“It was a very good point,” Kennedy added. “Hearts are a strong side with players like Holt and Tapping who have been together a long time.

“They were a strong side last year and have developed since then, some of their players have made first teams debuts so we knew it would be a tough game and it was.

“We stood strong, fought our corner, created a few chances but couldn’t take them. We are a young side, Callum Watters and Eoghan O’Connell came into our defence alongwith Mikey Miller who came back from injury and we kept a clean sheet.

“It was a relatively young and developing side but they showed great maturity in their play. They were disciplined and worked hard.

“The boys who came in did themselves a favour by playing so well. Eoghan was a bit untested because he had been injured but we got him in the side and he never let anyone down. He defended the crosses and dominated the penalty box when he had to.”

Celtic are next in action on Monday night against St Johnstone at Firhill.

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