Johnstone bhoy Aidan Nesbitt was thrilled to score the winning goal in last night’s Glasgow Cup Final.
Celtic’s u-17 side were well deserving of the victory after dominating the second half with only goalkeeper Robby McCrorie holding Tommy McIntyre’s side at bay.
Nesbitt- who joined Celtic at u-11 level as a 9-year-old- broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute. After finding his left footed shot blocked by a defender he switched onto his right to drill a low shot wide of McCrorie into the corner of the net.
“To score the winning goal in a cup final is a fantastic feeling,” the 17-year-old admitted. “I felt that we played really well in the second half and deserved the win.
“It was a big occasion for us to be playing in a cup final at Celtic Park and that maybe showed a bit during the first half
“In the second half, we came out and played brilliant football and when the goal came at a perfect time. When you start getting control of the game you can enjoy it and start playing your way, and the nerves go.
“Their keeper pulled off a few good saves but we kept playing away and I was delighted to put my chance away.”
Twelve months ago Liam Henderson was in the Celtic side that lost to Sevco in the final at Firhill when Nesbitt came on as a substitute.
Watching Henderson make an impact in the first team is the dream of every kid at Celtic with Nesbitt taking inspiration from the midfielder.
“Everyone in the Academy is delighted by how Liam has progressed,” he added. “That’s the incentive for all of us.
“He has moved up through the age groups and made a big impression on the first team which is everyone’s target.”
Celtic are still on course for the SPFL u-19 League Cup and need to win their three remaining u-20 fixtures to win the title. Tomorrow night Celtic travel to face St Mirren followed by a home match with Sevco on Tuesday before completing the campaign away to Dundee United two days later.
Nesbitt and six other Celtic players are in the Scotland u-17 squad that will play in next month’s European Championships in Portugal.