A Celtic XI beat Inverness Clach 2-1 today at Grant Park.
Penalties in each half from Patrik Twardzik and Paul McMullan gave the visitors the win in the match arranged for the opening of the home side’s Clean Sweep’ enclosure in honour of their 1947/48 team.
Looking forward to the match Clach boss Iain Polworth said: “The players are all excited, some more than others obviously because we’ve got a few Celtic fans in the squad, but it’s definitely something to look forward to.
“Brian Macleod and Scott Graham are just two who are champing at the bit. Celtic are a big club and we’re delighted to have the chance to play against them, it’s a nice reward for all the lads’ hard work from last season.”
With Bahrudin Atajic, Calum Waters, Liam Henderson and others with Neil Lennon in Germany options were limited for coaches Stevie Frail and John Kennedy who relied heavily on last season’s double winning u-20 side with the addition of a trialist goalkeeper.
A week after playing for Australia at the u-20 World Cup Finals in Turkey Jackson Irvine was back in club action playing in a three man midfield alongside Jamie Lindsay and Connor McManus.
Midway through the first half the home side opened the scoring with a quick break but shortly before the interval Celtic were on level terms after Patrik Twardzik converted a penalty.
Just past the hour mark McMullan was downed in the box but picked himself up to tuck away the penalty to ensure a winning start to the new campaign.
CELTIC: Trialist: O’Connell, McNally, Findlay, Miller: Irvine, Lindsay, McManus; Hoarau (Donnelly 60), Johnstone, P Twardzik (McMullan 46)
SUBS Hart, Kelleher, MacDonagh
