Celtic qualified for the semi-final’s of the SPFL u-19 League Cup with a 4-1 win over Clyde this morning.
Goals from Regan Hendry, Ciaran Laffery and a double from midfielder Ryan Caird gave the hoops a comfortable win with three goals in a seven minute spell midway through the second half deciding the match.
With seven players away on Scotland duty coach Tommy McIntyre had to dip into the u-16 squad with the younger players stepping up in style to book their place in the last four of the competition.
In the semi-final Celtic will travel to Cowdenbeath or Arbroath with the competition regionalised into east and west sections. Before Christmas Celtic won the league title which was played over 13 matches involving teams from the east and west with Celtic taking the title by five points ahead of second placed Clyde.
Today’s win lifted Celtic above Airdrie United in the seven team round robin stage of the competition with the young hoops opening the scoring in the 14th minute when Hendry sent a well placed header into the net from 10 yards out.
Clyde were strong and competitive in all areas but there was an extra sparkle about Celtic’s play as they passed the ball impressively and varied their play with crosses coming in from the flanks.
Twelve minutes into the second half it was Lafferty’s turn to use the head with a similar goal to Hendry’s opener.
That strike seemed to dishearten Clyde with Caird drilling home a 25 yard free kick in the 59th minute before completing the scoring for the home side five minutes later with a half volley.
In the 73rd minute Clyde pulled a goal back with a well placed free-kick.
CELTIC: Colin McCabe: Aaron Comrie, Josh Kerr, Jamie McCart, Kieran Tierney: Mark Hill, Regan Hendry, Ryan Caird: Innes Murray, Ciaran Lafferty, Connor McLaren
