Celtic’s u-17 side came out of hibernation to beat St Johnstone 5-3 in an entertaining friendly at Barrowfield.
There was heavy snow falling as the match started but both teams seemed grateful to be be back in action with the pitch at Barrowfield holding up well in the conditions.
Robbie Deas returned to partner Wallace Duffy in the centre of the Celtic defence, Kerr McInroy filled in at left back with two attacking trialists hoping to make an impression.
It took Celtic ten minutes to take the lead with Shaun Bowers the creator with a surging run down the right wing. When he crossed low into the penalty box the ball took a touch before falling at the feet of Darragh Markey who slotted the ball home from close range.
The teenager from St Pat’s grew impressively into the match, looking comfortable on the ball and eager to push forward or lay the ball off to a better placed team-mate.
Nine minutes after falling behind St Johnstone drew level with a goal that left Aiden McAdams very frustrated. The hoops keeper pulled off two great saves but when the ball broke to a St Johnstone striker for the third time he tucked it into the net.
Shortly afterwards Celtic restored their advantage with a great 25 yard drive from Lewis Bell that hit the net before the St Johnstone keeper could move.
St Johnstone equalised early in the second half but Celtic substitute Christian Antonazzi restored the lead with a brilliantly placed free kick from 25 yards out.
Once again St Johnstone equalised but in the closing minutes substitute Kyle Barr drilled in a low shot from 15 yards out before a header from Keiran Diver completed the scoring.
CELTIC: McAdams; Bowers, Duffy, Deas, McInroy; Bell, McLaughlin; Campbell, Trialist, Johnston; Trialist
Celtic’s u-20 side will be in action in the SFA Youth Cup on Thursday, taking on St Johnstone at Station Park Forfar, tomorrow’s Development League match against Dundee has been postponed.
