It wasn’t just the 4-1 scoreline that pleased Stevie Frail after yesterday’s Development team win over Kilmarnock at Lennoxtown.
Three days earlier the hoops coach had talked about a lack of purpose in the 4-3 defeat by St Mirren.
Scorelines tell only half of the story with the development of players a key component in Frail’s remit.
Winning matches is a decent guideline to how players develop but the manner of the win over Kilmarnock was satisfying for everyone involved with the goals spread from the third to 87th minute.
“I used the word purpose in the team talk and I think we got that,” Frail said after the final league match at Lennoxtown last night. “We scored after three minutes, Kilmarnock had the kick-off, we took the ball back and scored early. That’s when you talk about purpose.
“You’ll be under pressure defensively at certain times, that’s when the defending side comes into it. The other night we were too open, tonight was better, we were more compact, some of the football was excellent, everything that we work on in training was there in abundance.
“We don’t want the players becoming slack, we drive them all the time. Players have to push on all the time and it’s good to see them driving on and scoring two late goals.
“The squad that we have are capable, if they had played with the same purpose on Monday we would have won the game. No one takes anything for granted, players know that beating Celtic is always a big scalp.”
Next Thursday Celtic face Sevco in the final of the SFA Youth Cup at Hampden with the hoops looking for a fifth triumph in six years.
Mark Hill, Calvin Miller and Regan Hendry will come into contention after being on Scotland u-17 duty while Kieran Tierney, Jamie Lindsay and Joe Thomson will add to Frail’s selection problems with Paul McMullan returning from his loan stint at Stenhousemuir.
“Rory Currie, Anthony Ralston and Innes Murray have taken their opportunity in recent weeks,” Frail added. “I wouldn’t have envisaged them playing so many games. They have been doing well, earned their chance and have equipped themselves well.
“I have a team in mind for the final, it’s not set so there are a few things to look at with the benefit of a full week’s training.
“Hampden is a great stage for players, we’ve got players with flair and pace who’ll enjoy it. A Glasgow derby brings it’s own pressures, it’s at the national stadium, a big competition and a match that we are all looking forward to.”
CELTIC Hart; Wardrop, O’Connell (Breslin 58), Findlay (McCart 78), Waters; McManus, Murray; Nesbitt (Lafferty 78), Donnelly, Duffy; McGrath
Not used: McCabe, McIlduff
SCORERS Donnelly 3, McGrath 48, Duffy 85, Waters 87
