Celtic’s youth side take the spotlight tonight as they host Aston Villa in the Next Gen Series at Firhill.
The Premiership side beat Celtic 2-1 at Villa Park with a home win tonight essential if Celtic are to retain an interest in the competition.
With both sides sitting on three points from three matches anything less than a win tonight for either side looks certain to end hopes of progressing to the knock-out phase.
On Sunday Celtic battled from behind to beat Hearts 2-1 in the SFA Youth Cup with Stevie Frail looking for the second half spirit from the first whistle tonight.
“The players are on a high, it was a fantastic second half performance against Hearts and now we are preparing for another really big game,” the hoops coach explained.
“We are trying to develop first team players so it’s good to go from one big game to the next, that’s the way it’s been this week and the players are looking forward to playing again.
“This is a big match for both clubs, the group is very even and we need to get a win to give ourselves a chance of progressing.
“We can draw from the win over PSV Eindhoven and take the positives out of how well we played against top European opposition. You draw on all different experiences.
“We put in a great first half against PSV and deserved the three points. The first half was excellent and we strive to get them to play like that for 90 minutes.”
Frail added: “The biggest disappointment from the defeat at Villa for the players was coming off knowing that they hadn’t played to their potential.
“I think that played a part in the way that they attacked the PSV match, as a player you don’t want to have any regrets after matches.
“The players know that they could have done better in the first two matches but if we can get a win against Villa we’ll be back in contention and that’s the target.
Bahrudin Atajic has been on fire this season scoring an exceptional goal at Hearts to draw Celtic level before setting up Jamie Lindsay for the winner.
Domestically Celtic play at u-20 level but the Next Gen Series is an u-19 competition with Atajic battling for one of the three overage slots.
“Bahrudin has played really well for the u-20 side and development team but has been unfortunate with the Next Gen Series,” Frail added.
“It’s been to do with the balance of the team rather than individual ability. We’ve debated it long and hard and Bahrudin understands the situation.
“He’ll be in contention, there’s a squad of 20 and we’ll make the final decision close to kick-off.”
Entry tonight is pay at the gate costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
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On Sunday Celtic battled from behind to beat Hearts 2-1 in the SFA Youth Cup with Stevie Frail looking for the second half spirit from the first whistle tonight.
“The players are on a high, it was a fantastic second half performance against Hearts and now we are preparing for another really big game,” the hoops coach explained.
“We are trying to develop first team players so it’s good to go from one big game to the next, that’s the way it’s been this week and the players are looking forward to playing again.
“This is a big match for both clubs, the group is very even and we need to get a win to give ourselves a chance of progressing.
“We can draw from the win over PSV Eindhoven and take the positives out of how well we played against top European opposition. You draw on all different experiences.
“We put in a great first half against PSV and deserved the three points. The first half was excellent and we strive to get them to play like that for 90 minutes.”
Frail added: “The biggest disappointment from the defeat at Villa for the players was coming off knowing that they hadn’t played to their potential.
“I think that played a part in the way that they attacked the PSV match, as a player you don’t want to have any regrets after matches.
“The players know that they could have done better in the first two matches but if we can get a win against Villa we’ll be back in contention and that’s the target.
Bahrudin Atajic has been on fire this season scoring an exceptional goal at Hearts to draw Celtic level before setting up Jamie Lindsay for the winner.
Domestically Celtic play at u-20 level but the Next Gen Series is an u-19 competition with Atajic battling for one of the three overage slots.
“Bahrudin has played really well for the u-20 side and development team but has been unfortunate with the Next Gen Series,” Frail added.
“It’s been to do with the balance of the team rather than individual ability. We’ve debated it long and hard and Bahrudin understands the situation.
“He’ll be in contention, there’s a squad of 20 and we’ll make the final decision close to kick-off.”
Entry tonight is pay at the gate costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
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