Patrick Roberts did his top team prospects the world of good last night with a dominating performance including two goals in the 4-1 win Development League win over Dunfermline Athletic at Lennoxtown.
Scott Allan and Ryan Christie weren’t far behind the Manchester City teenager in terms of impact with all three players making the most of the opportunity to impress Ronny Deila.
All three attacking midfield options looked comfortable in their role with Christie through the centre, Roberts on the right and Allan coming in from the left flank.
Not to be forgotten Paul McMullan played a great linking role in the ‘Griffiths’ position while Charlie Mulgrew and Tom Rogic pushed forward from their holding roles at every opportunity.
The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute when Allan opened the Pars defence with a diagonal ball, Roberts took it in his stride coming off the right flank before drilling an unstoppable shot into the net off the post.
The next goal was more routine with Christie chesting the ball into the net after Roberts had pulled the ball back from the bye-line.
Number three involved more work from Christie as he burst forward from midfield, exchanged a pass with McMullan then shot low and hard into the net from 20 yards out.
Shortly before half time Roberts completed the Celtic scoring with an outrageous chip that left the Pars keeper flat footed as the ball floated high over his arms into the net.
After the struggles that the first team have been through recently Deila must be tempted to make changes for Saturday with all five midfielders doing their talking on the park last night.
CELTIC: Doohan; Wardrop, Kelleher, Blackett, Waters; Rogic, Mulgrew; Roberts (Hendry 75), Christie, Allan; McMullan
SUBS: Hazard, McIlduff, Miller, McCart