Celts power past PSV Eindhoven

Celtic’s youth side turned on the style to beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 at Firhill tonight.

Shrugging aside two narrow defeats to Sporting Lisbon and Aston Villa the Next Gen bhoys showed their worth with a convincing win that brings them back into contention for a place in the knock-out phase.

Stevie Frail had called on the side to get off to a flying start but couldn’t have hoped for a 3-0 lead after less than 20 minutes.

From the first whistle Celtic were on the attack with early shots from Denny Johnstone and Patrik Twardzik forcing visiting keeper Eric Verstappen into conceding corners.

The opening goal followed from a corner when a PSV defender manhandled Marcus Fraser with referee Barry Cook pointing to the spot having previously warned both players.

Patrik Twardzik sent Verstappen the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 12th minute with Callum McGregor doubling Celtic’s lead 60 seconds later with a looping shot over the keeper who had failed to cut out a cross from Twardzik on the left.

PSV didn’t know what had hit them and fell further behind in the 16th minute when Verstappen spilled a cross from Denny Johnstone with John Herron on the spot to net the rebound from six yards out.

Celtic’s five man midfield was forming a six pronged strike force at every opportunity as they pushed forward in support of Johnstone.

Stuart Findlay should have added to the lead in the 28th minute but he headed over the crossbar from John Herron’s corner shortly after PSV had made a double substitution.

The only blemish on a near flawless first half arrived in the 42nd minute when Geraldo Antonio cracked an unstoppable 18 yard shot past Leo Fasan.

It would have been impossible to duplicate the start to the first half after the break but McGregor gave the Dutch something to worry about with a low shot in the 52nd minute that slipped the wrong side of the post.

PSV certainly looked a different side in the second period but despite conceding possession Celtic’s defence weren’t overworked.

Fasan pulled off a great save from a Mohamed Rayhi header in the 68th minute as PSV chased the goal that would have ensured a grandstand finish.

With nine minutes left to play Jamie Lindsay replaced Johnstone with Twardzik moving forward into the striker position as Celtic saw the game out comfortably without any late dramas.

CELTIC: Fasan: Fisher, Fraser, Findlay (McNally 87), Chalmers: Herron, McGregor, Kidd (Henderson 87) Irvine, P Twardzik: Johnstone (Lindsay 76)

SUBS:  Daniels, Kirwan,  McManus, McMullan