Celtic’s u-20 side dropped their first points of the season in a goal-less draw away to Hearts.
After six successive wins the much changed Celts had to settle for a point against last seasons runners-up.
Rabui Ibrahim was the most impressive Celt putting up with some rough treatment from the home side
With half a dozen regulars away on international duty it was a much changed Celtic side with just three survivors from the 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Next Gen Series.
Lassad Nouioui and Rabui Ibrahim formed an unlikely strikeforce with both players
making their first appearance of the season at u-20 level.
Glenn Daniels made his second appearance with of the season with Cork kid Eoghan O’Connell teaming up with Mikey Miller in central defence. Darnell Fisher and Callum Watters filled the full-back slots.
The Celtic midfield was a little more recognisable with Jamie Lindsay and Lewis Kidd in the centre with Patrik Twardzik on the left and top scorer Bahrudin Atajic on the right.
Celtic carved out a couple of early chances but Atajic headed over from a Twardzik cross before Lassad shot wide from a Kidd through ball.
Rabui was showing a great appetite for the game and quickly became a taget for the hatchet men in the home side with two yellow cards handed out for tough treatment of the African who was booked for retaliating at the first caution.
Hearts twice came close to breaking the deadlock in the closing minutes of the first half but the Celtic goal remained intact.
Ten minutes into the second half Ibrahim shot just over the bar with both sides struggling to create any clear cut chances.
CELTIC Glen Daniels; Darnell Fisher, Mikey Miller, Eoghan O’Connell, Callum Waters; Bahrudin Atajic, Lewis Kidd, Jamie Lindsay, Patrik Twardzik; Rabui Ibrahim (Denny Johnstone 70), Lassad Nouioui
SUBS: Hart, Kelleher, McManus, Henderson, Kirwan, Donnelly
I thought Lassad was about 24-26 years old. Pity he never scored. I think he is a decent looking player.
thanks again for the report Joe, superb
thought Bahrudin was unlucky with the free-kick 10mins to go, Enckelman scrambled across to palm it away
big Eoghan was solid in defence and Mikey was as cool as can be, Glen was hardly really troubled
high balls up to Lassad were tricky for him, pitch was tight and bobbly, overall he did quite well – played almost solo up front 2nd half, young guns with backs to the wall at times, tho solid at the back
well done to young Callum at LB and Jamie in midfield for being a steady captain tonight – young lads with a great future, here’s hoping
felt sorry for young Rabiu – kicked to pieces, unbelievable !
A decent enough result with Hearts beefing up their side with the max number of over-age players and pulling back players who have been playing at first team level.
I’m sure John Kennedy and the backroom staff will take more from the game than Hearts. Great also for those who were given the opportunity to show what they can do and shows the strength in depth of the entire squad.
Difficult for Lassad as he clearly needs more games to regain match fitness, but the season still has a long way to go yet. Typical physical battle with Hearts, a pity they couldn’t concentrate more on the more technical aspects of the game at this age, but all good experiencer for the young guns.