Celtic youths

Celtic 2-0 St Mirren

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A very youthful Celtic side enjoyed a 2-0 Development League win over St Mirren thanks to goals from Jack Aitchison and Ciaran Diver.

It was a poignant moment for Aitchison playing just eight days after the sudden death of his father George from a heart attack.

After an evenly contested first half Celtic dominated after the break as they started to eat into their massive fixture backlog.

It was an u-19 side put out by boss Tommy McIntyre using the players that had featured in the UEFA Youth League including Regan Hendry who is out on loan at Raith Rovers.

St Mirren matched up to Celtic across the park and kept first half chances to a premium.

Celtic did threaten in the eighth minute when Ciaran Diver got on the end of a cross from Dan Church but his near post effort was blocked by the Saints keeper.

Around the half hour mark St Mirren began to threaten the Celtic goal but two minutes from the interval Celtic took the lead.

Pressing on the Saints defence Aitchison picked up on a loose pass, when he shot was blocked by the legs of the keeper he followed up to score from 12 yards out.

Celtic started the second half much sharper and increased their lead in the 52nd minute. Diver’s header from close range was brilliantly pushed away by Ross Stewart, the keeper then blocked a follow up shot but when the rebound fell to Diver he pushed the ball home from six yards out.

Just past the hour mark Broque Watson waltzed his way through the Saints defence but blazed his shot over the bar, incredibly referee Chris Gentles produced a red card for Saints keeper Stewart with no one inside Cappielow aware of what his offence was.

CELTIC: Mullen, Duffy, Welsh, Deas, Church; Bell (Potter 80), Hendry; Aitchison, Campbell (Scott Robertson 70), Watson; Diver.

SUBS: Reece Willison, Andy Kerr, Josh Jack

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