Celtic’s u-20 side look well on course to make it four championships in a row but coach Stevie Frail prefers to look beyond results and league tables.
Three wins on the bounce following a home draw with Inverness Caley Thistle have lifted Celtic seven points clear at the top of the table with the season at the halfway mark.
Tom Rogic and Anthony Stokes were among the scorers against Hamilton Accies on Monday night earning both players a starting role in the first team away to Inverness Caley Thistle.
The young Australian midfielder got a crash course in Scottish football as he warmed up in a snow storm before finding the net nine minutes into his first appearance as Celtic player.
In recent weeks the u-20 side has taken on the appearance of the development team with Rogic, Stokes, Rami Gershon, Tony Watt and Dylan McGeoch all given outings.
The benefits of those workouts were on show at Inverness yesterday with Frail looking for more from the squad’s younger players to take the step up to first team level.
“We expect more and demand more,” the hoops coach stated. “We are trying to create a certain type of player here but sometimes you just have to play against your opponent and the conditions. It’s a character thing and tells you a lot about the players.
“The first half was poor but we picked things up after the break but we can’t keep asking them for a reaction. We seem to be doing that or speaking to them after the match about not playing as well in the first half.
“At u-20 level the games are tougher than previous seasons, we’re playing in stadiums and up against a few older, more experienced players. That can only be good for the players and is a big test for them.
“When I started out playing reserve football I wanted to play against older players to prove myself. The manager is watching most of our matches and that gives everyone a chance to impress and progress.”
Looking at the contribution of Rogic Frail added: “Tom isn’t used to the weather, in the warm up he said it was the worst he had ever experienced and it was only a flurry of snow!
“Playing in these conditions is a great experience for him, it lets him see what it’s about, it’s not all full houses at Celtic Park.
“You can see why the manager has brought him to the club. He’s a big strong boy with a good touch and the experience of playing here will help him.”
Substitute Glenn Eadie scored the other goal against Hamilton with a double header of action coming up this week, away to Dunfermline on Monday, kick-off 7pm, and at home to Ross County at Firhill on Friday, kick-off 3pm.
CLICK HERE for Hamilton match report
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