Celtic’s three year unbeaten away record in youth football ended tonight in a 3-2 defeat at St Mirren.
Denny Johnstone and Bahrudin Atajic scored for the visitors but some sloppy defending allowed Thomas Reilly and substitutes Kieran Doran and Jack Smith to give St Mirren full points.
The last time that Celtic tasted defeat on the road at this level was in a 2-1 defeat against Dundee United at St Andrews in October 2009.
With the development side facing Blackburn Rovers on Thursday it was a very youthful looking Celtic side with only Patrik Twardzik and Atajic over 18 years of age while St Mirren were able to call upon David Barron, Graham Carey and goalkeeper Chris Smith.
The first chance of the game fell to Johnstone in the ninth minute when he raced onto a pass out of midfield from Connor McManus but after nudging the ball around goalkeeper Smith he was unable to direct his shot into the net from a tight angle.
Two minutes later Johnstone did find the net with a glancing header at the front post from a perfectly weighted Twardzik cross from the left.
Celtic should have kicked on from going in front but found the scores levelled in the 35th minute when Thomas Reilly shot home from 15 yards following a good passing move from the home side.
St Mirren started the second half in confident fashion, deservedly going in front in the 62nd minute when substitute Doran headed home unchallenged from a corner.
The Saints looked like extending their lead but shortly after Paul McMullan had saw a shot strike the post Atajic levelled the scores with an 18 yard shot that took a deflection to spin over Smith into the net.
The game could have gone either way but seven minutes from the end Liam Henderson and Stuart Findlay were caught in possession with Jack Smith drilling the decisive goal low past Daniels.
ST MIRREN: Smith, Meechan, Yaqub, Hu,ghes, Barron, Kelly, Brown, Carey, Reilly, Fulton, McLear
SUBS: Hughes, Scullion, Coyle, Smith, Brady, Doran, Williams
Daniels: O’Connell, McNally, Findlay, McManus: Johnstone, Kidd, Lindsay, P Twardzik: Atajic, McMullan
SUBS: Fasan, Eadie, Kelleher, Donnelly, Henderson, Kirwan, McDonagh
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Always disappointing to lose, but taking into account that we were giving away over 2 years on the average ages of the respective sides. I think we will take more from the game in the long term.
That’s what this league should be about, giving younger players the opportunity to play against older / more experienced players.
While I accept that the rules allow 3 over-age players, players returning from injury etc it also highlights those who are more interested in winning. St. Mirren having players at 23-25-26 playing…all in need of a game due to injury no doubts 🙂 Poor show for those who could have enjoyed the experience though…development – some clubs need to have a look at themselves.
hi Joe, minor point but can you clarify for me about the St Mirren 2nd goal please – the header off the bar just before the corner-kick… did it take a deflection ? i thought it simply hit the bar and went out for what should have been a goal-kick – mind you, i was sitting at other end of the field, couldn’t see it too well, referee had a good view 15yrds from the incident
nonetheless, enjoyed the game, good team St Mirren, shame young Gareth didn’t get many chances to score … hopefully he will do so in time to come, only a youngster as yet…the lad Ross at RB for StM caused a few problems, thought Liam did well against him when he came on in 2nd half, closed him down fairly well, while still chasin the game
also, is Marcus signin for St Mirren on loan ?
I didn’t see a defection but St Mirren got a corner after their player had a header come off the crossbar and went out… for a corner.
Liam Henderson did make an impact, but was badly caught out, alongwith Stuart Findlay for the third St Mirren goal.
St Mirren appear very interested in Marcus, they need to strengthen their defence but speaking to someone last night it’s not yet a formailty