Goals from Michael Johnston and Jack Aitchison earned Celtic a 2-1 win over Dundee United’s u-17 side at Lennoxtown.
The margin of the win should have been much more comfortable but after passing up a number of second half chances a late goal for the visitors put a different complexion on the final scoreline.
Johnstone scored the final three goals in last week’s 6-0 win away to Hearts and showed all of his ability to fire in a fifth minute free kick that got up and over the United wall and low into the net.
The visitors refused to be disheartened by that set-back and put together some impressive passing movements to deny Celtic the opportunity to build on their early goal.
As the first half came to a close Johnston began to find the pockets of space that he thrives on with the United keeper pushing over a fierce 25 yard effort in the 35th minute before getting a hand to a free kick shortly afterwards.
Some of Celtic’s play at the start of the second half was a joy to watch but they were unable to convert their possession into goals.
With Lewis Bell and Daniel Church anchoring the midfield the attacking trio of Ross McLaughlin, Johnston and Keiran Campbell were given every opportunity to push forward and link up with Jack Aitchison with full-back’s Shaun Bowers and Grant Thornton also pushing forward.
In the 56th minute Blair Kidd sent a shot against the crossbar with Bell foiled a minute later as he raced through one on one with the keeper.
Bell came close to heading home a second in the 64th minute but his glancing effort from a Bowers cross went wide of goal.
After another few near misses Aitchison headed Celtic two in front from a corner in the 77th minute.
United had rarely been seen as an attacking threat but with two minutes left to play they scored from a well taken short free kick but there was no further scoring as Celtic delivered full points.
CELTIC: McAdams: Bowers, Duffy, Kidd, Thorburn; Bell (Henderson 68), Church; McLaughlin (Diver 57), Johnston (Mearns 85), Campbell (Welsh 80); Aitchison
League scorers so far (10 matches): Johnston 11, Aitchison 8, McLaughlin 4, Bell 2, Watson 2, McAllister 2, Antonazzi 1, Payne 1, Campbell 1, McInroy, Thorburn.
Glasgow Cup (4 matches): Johnston 5, Aitchison 5, Diver 1, Antonazzi 1, Campbell 1.
