Celtic B were knocked out of the SPFL Trophy tonight, defeated 4-0 by Ross County.
After starting the competition with wins over Clyde and Kelty Hearts the young Celtic crashed to defeats against Edinburgh City, Alloa, East Fife and East Kilbride.
TOUGH TIMES
Six points from their six matches allowed Celtic B to progress to the knock-out stage but they were no match for Ross County.
Although County are sitting at the bottom of the Championship Tony Docherty’s side were too strong for the young Celts who are sitting in ninth position in the 18 team Lowland League.
As well as taking charge of first team recruitment part of Paul Tisdale’s remit is to develop Academy graduates into Champions League players.
85′ | Lindsay grabs a second!
RCFC 4-0 CELB pic.twitter.com/AETR7DuPFE
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) December 9, 2025
Ross County did have some experienced players in their squad including ex Celts Jamie Lindsay, Gary Mackay-Steven and Declan Gallagher.
They did fall to bottom place in the Championship on Saturday with a record of just two wins from 16 matches.
LOWLAND LEAGUE
What is perfectly clear is that five seasons in the Lowland League isn’t helping to develop first team players for Celtic.
Colby Donovan has made a top team contribution this season but is very much the exception.
At the weekend Celtic B play Gala in the Lowland League on the plastic pitch at Airdrie.
Co-operation loans open up a new option but Celtic have sent two players on loan to Ayr United with no agreements taken up with clubs in the First or Second Division.
The better players in the Academy have to be sent out on loan, preferably to clubs playing in the Championship. Playing in the Lowland League is only going to create Lowland League players.
As the seven results in the SPFL Trophy demonstrate the B team squad is going nowhere in particular.
The Celtic FC B Twitter/X account only provided the team line ups and full time score from tonight’s match.
? #KDMEvolutionTrophy Team News ??
Here is how the young Hoops line-up for this evening’s match against Ross County ???#ROSCEL | #CelticFC? pic.twitter.com/VefbYDg9aD
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) December 9, 2025
Sounds like ma wee Clachnacuddin would even have a chance against Celtic B !
I dont know why you would expect a very young B team to win against SPFL sides away from home. They actually finished 21st and below them were all the other B teams. Ross County were in the Premiership last season and it was hard enough for the senior team to win up in Dingwall let alone a group of 17 year olds. I agree the LL isnt doing them much good but a bit of realism, please.
Editor: I expect nothing from a mid table Lowland League team. Almost any SPFL club would comfortably beat Celtic B in a knock out tie.
But still our Doctor Football thinks that the Lowland League will create Champions League players- not a chance.
Joe, I have just looked on club website, Academy section. They actually have said 72 players have played for the first team ; 22 in CL games ; 18 Scottish internationals.
If they are deluded enough to swallow that this represents success no wonder we are floating on the water. How many of these lads have actually made a real impact..? McGeady, Forrest, McGregor, Tierney and that is it. Talk about proving anything with facts. Dont worry I am sure Mick Nich will sort it. Lol.