Tougher tests are ideal for bhoys

Tommy McIntyre wants Celtic’s development kids to face the biggest and toughest tests possible.

The young hoops completed 2015 with three since goal wins over Falkirk, Dunfermline and Partick Thistle to top the Development League with 11 wins and a draw from 12 matches.

Scottish football’s fractured nature means that after playing at u-17 level the next step up is the Development League which is an u-20 league that allows four overage players- effectively a reserve league in all but name.

Stepping up from u-17 football to playing against seasoned professionals is a big task with the hoops Development side generally the u-19 side which is competing in the UEFA Youth League.

On Monday night a late goal by Aidan Nesbitt gave Celtic a 1-0 win over Partick Thistlle with McIntyre pleased with the way his young squad have handled the season to date.

“It’s ideal for the players development to step up from u-17 to play at this level,” he said. “They are playing against quality opposition, often over-age players in the Development League, as well as in the international tournaments we’ve been involved in.

“I would take playing against older more experienced players every week. The bigger the challenge the better for us. Results aren’t so important, it’s nice to win games but the most important thing is- are they developing? are they learning?

“They learn more up against older, stronger opponents than going in against lesser opposition. We’d rather take the challenge, the players get to the next level, they develop and some of them are training with the first team and know the challenges and expectations.

“At this level it’s about challenges and setting goals. Everyone is getting tested in these matches rather than running up five and six goal wins.”

Celtic are ahead of Hamilton Accies on goal difference but have three games in hand. Hamilton are the only team to have taken points off Celtic, in a draw at New Douglas Park, the two sides meet on Monday January 4 at Broadwood with a 1pm kick off.

CELTIC v Thistle: Hazard; Wardrop, Kelleher, McCart, Waters; Breslin (Higgins 74), Hill; Nesbitt, Donnelly (Hendry 46), Miller; Stokes (McIlduff 65)

SUBS: McCabe, Murray, Archibald, Lafferty