Celtic’s B team were involved in a fantastic and frustrating 1-1 draw away to Civil Service Strollers.
Over seven matches Tommy McIntyre’s side have quickly become streetwise to time-served opponents with tonight’s match far more beneficial than Saturday’s 10-0 rout of Vale of Leithen.
Joint league leaders Strollers provided well-drilled opponents, sharp, fit and organised against a young Celtic side that is maturing by the game.
Both goals came in the closing stages with Dane Murray heading the opener in the 88th minute from a free kick into the far post.
Strollers were furious at losing the goal but in the third minute of stoppage time they levelled with a header beyond Ryan Mullan that had their coaching staff halfway onto the pitch celebrating.
Celtic had the best of the first half, around the 12 minute mark Bosan Lawal saw a shot bounce off the post, a few minutes later the home keeper did well to touch a Joey Dawson header over the bar.
The two sides were well matched throughout, Rocco Vata on the right and Bruno Davidson on the other flank found themselves quickly closed down unlike Saturday’s match at Innerleithen.
McIntyre’s squad will be sickened at the loss of a late goal but this side is maturing fast and won’t be far away from the top spots when the season comes to an end.
CELTIC: Mullen; Jackson, Lawal, Murray, Paterson (Robertson 10); Carse, Murray; Vata, Moffat, Davidson (Letsosa 89); Dawson
Getting dark in Leith pic.twitter.com/UVipaiPMxu
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) August 17, 2021
