Celtic drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock at Cappielow tonight with the result ending their hopes of winning the Development League.
It was heartbreaking stuff for Tommy McIntyre’s side as they battled back from being 2-0 down but couldn’t find a winner.
Celtic needed to win and hope that Ross County failed to beat Hamilton to keep the title race going to the final match at Hamilton on Thursday night.
With Hamilton winning 2-1 away to Ross County they will be looking to beat Celtic on Thursday night to win the title- a draw or defeat will hand the title to the Dingwall club.
McIntyre made six changes to the Celtic side that won the SFA Youth Cup at Hampden with Calvin Miller the only player from the attacking quartet to start the game.
Celtic had the edge in the early possession but it was Killie who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Greg Kiltie sent in a cross from the right that Scott McLean sent past Ross Doohan from the edge of the penalty box.
It was only in the latter stages of the half that Celtic began to threaten the Killie goal with Regan Hendry pushing forward from the centre of the park.
Five minutes into the second half Celtic found themselves in deep trouble when Kiltie cut in from the left flank then curled an excellent shot- Scott Sinclair style- round Ross Doohan with his right peg.
Celtic didn’t let their heads drop with Miller scoring three minutes later after breaking through the centre, appearing to stall then drove a low shot past Devlin MacKay into the net.
With 15 minutes left to play Celtic drew level when Hendry snatched a shot at goal from eight yards out that escaped the clutch of MacKay to tumble into the net
Celtic threw everything into trying to find a winner but had no luck in front of goal.
CELTIC: Doohan, Wardrop, Kelleher, Kerr, McIlduff; Duffy (Watson 46), Hill; Archibald, Hendry, Miller & Crossan
SUBS; Hazard, Bell, Bowers, Campbell.