Celtic’s u-19 side dominated Manchester United to run out deserved 3-1 victors in a showpiece match to open the Northern Ireland Super Cup at Coleraine.
Tommy McIntyre’s side were superior in every area of the pitch with United flattered by the final scoreline.
The English side pour millions into their worldwide scouting and Academy work but were outplayed throughout the 90 minutes.
United took the lead shortly after half-time through Ethan Laird but the young Celts weren’t deterred with their superior play and fitness paying off with three goals in the last 20 minutes with Ewan Henderson adding to Tom Caffrey’s equaliser.
Henderson was the best player on the park by a distance as he popped up all over the park with close control and running power that left the United players chasing shadows.
2- Ewan Henderson lays the ball off to Scott Robertson, his first time shot smacks against the bar
13- Only a last ditch challenge prevents Jack Aitchison from getting a shot in, corner to Celtic.
22- A great through ball from Kerr McInroy to Grant Savoury, first touch takes the ball past the keeper but not enough on it to reach the net.
32- Ryan Mullan gets down brilliantly to push a close range header out for a corner. United hit the post following the corner.
35- Nose bleed! Lewis Bell is heading for the Utd goal line when a United defender sends him crashing to the deck. No penalty.
44- A 25 yard shot from Henderson is just over the bar.
HALF TIME 0-0
Good to get watching our @CelticFC U19’s in my home town Celtic where great the far better team Ewan Henderson is a great player pic.twitter.com/PNdL7TFUlb
— Kim McCormick (@Kimmccormick34) July 21, 2018
51- Man Utd play their way through the Celtic defence but Mullen gets his angles right and blocks for a corner.
52- GOAL Celtic fail to clear their lines from the corner with right-back Laird showing a great touch inside the box to cut inside Henderson, then Bell to fire a low shot past Mullen
58- Great run from deep by Henderson, lays it off to Mazis but there are no takers as his cross cum shot flashes across goal.
72 Welsh heads a cross from Henderson on the left into Duffy’s path but the ball bounces off his knee
75- GOAL!!!!!!!!!!! A bouncing ball into the box is touched on to substitute Caffrey who opens up and curls a great left foot shot into the net.
77- GOAL!!!!!!!!!! Henderson picks up a poor clearance from the United keeper, races into the box and enjoys a stroke of luck as his shot deflects off a defender past the keeper.
86- ANOTHER! Celtic break quickly on the left, McInroy passes inside to Henderson who sells the keeper a dummy then rolls the ball into the net.
CELTIC: Mullen; Bell, Welsh, Duffy, Church; McInroy, Henderson; Savoury (Caffrey 61), Robertson, Mazis (Coffet 70); Aitchison
Subs: Deas, Willison, Coffey, Kennedy, Caffrey, Diver, Legault