Desert trip reaps rewards

Jamie Lindsay believes that a recent trip to Abu Dhabi has accelerated his development.

The 17-year-old scored the only goal of the game and picked up the man-of-the-match award as Celtic beat Dinamo Zagreb in the Al Ain tournament with the hoops also beating Benfica and Inter Milan during the week long competition.

Since returning from the dessert Celtic have lifted both domestic trophies with Lindsay opening the scoring at Hampden in the 3-1 win over Dunfermline that clinched a fourth consecutive double.

“Abu Dhabi was brilliant for us, after it everyone seemed to get a lift,” he explained. “We did well beating a few big teams and we’ve carried that form on domestically.

“Last week we won the league and it’s great to complete the double. It was an unbelievable feeling to win at Hampden, to score on my first appearance there was brilliant.

“The cup run was very difficult, to get past the four sides we were drawn against then win at Hampden is a great feeling.

“At the start of the season I found the change from u-17 to u-20 football really hard but I feel that I’ve grown into it and played better.

“I’m only 17 and need to keep getting my games and see what happens. You never know what is round the corner and I just want to try and impress our coaches.”

Lindsay scored the winning goal in Celtic’s opening cup tie away to Hearts with the young hoops also beating Hibs, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock on route to the final.

Celtic’s u-20 side return to league business tomorrow hosting Hearts at Firhill with an 11am kick-off.