[h=2]
Disappointment in Marseille for young Celts[/h]
NextGen Series
Marseille
MARSEILLE 1
(Maman 6)
CELTIC 0
CELTIC Under-19s opened their NextGen Series campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against French youth champions, Marseille.
An early goal, after just six minutes from Bangoura Manan, proved to be the difference in a hard-fought battle for the young Hoops who were unfortunate not to take more from the game.
Tommy McIntyre and John Kennedy named a strong starting XI for the first match of the prestigious new tournament and with only two of the three over-age players allowed on the pitch at the one time, they utilised Nick Feely and Lewis Toshney from kick-off.
Starting the match with a 4-5-1 formation, Tony Watt played as the lone striker, with Rhys Murrell-Williamson slotting in on the left-wing.
But it was a bad start for the youngsters as Marseille took the lead on six minutes. A corner was hit out to the feet of Manan just outside the box and with space to strike, he sent the ball over the outstretched Feely into the top of the net.
And it didn’t get any better for Celtic as they were then forced into a change 11 minutes later. Patrik Twardzik wasn’t able to shake off a knock after a hard challenge and John Herron had to be introduced into the game.
There was a scare for the young Hoops on the half-hour mark when Marseille broke down the defence, but Feely caught the ball on the line and prevented the home side from doubling their advantage.
That provided a much-needed confidence boost and as the match entered the final 15 minutes of the first-half Celtic stepped up the pressure as they chased an equaliser.
Filip Twardzik saw his free-kick go just wide of target before Watt troubled Fabri Juliey in the Marseille goal. Despite Charles Ricardo attempting to slide in and intersect the ball, Watt picked up a pass from Williamson who had charged down the right flank. But his effort didn't trouble the French keeper.
Celtic continued to press Marseille deep into their own half but the break came just as they were beginning to look like a real threat in front of goal.
A string of good saves from Feely in the second half kept Celtic in the game, while Watt continued to fight for the ball in the final third. He played a good pass-back to Filip Twardzik, but the Czech midfielder couldn’t keep his effort on target, drilling it low past the near post.
Watt caused problems again for Marseille on 73 minutes, this time with a own shot on goal, but the keeper turned the ball over the bar.
The young Celts battled until the end, but it wasn’t enough to produce a late equaliser and the match ended 1-0 to Marseille.
CELTIC (4-4-2): Feely; Fraser, Jones, Toshney, Chalmers; F Twardzik, McGregor, Irvine, P Twardzik (Herron 17, Alabi 70); Watt, Williams (Atajic 86)
Subs not used: Thomson, Spence, Kidd, George
MARSEILLE (4-4-2): Juliey, Ricardo, Gaep, Baptiste, Louvey, Manan, Rafidine (Jonathan 50), Florian, Chris, Ouman (Wesley 85), Billop (Mancelin 75)
Subs not used: Kevin, Emmaunuel, Ibrahima, Lawient
Website man of the match: Joe Chalmers
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Seems like a reasonable result away from home for the young lads. Although one that may come back to haunt them if they dont qualify.
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Celtic likely to lose talented Islam Feruz - Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon admits that Celtic will find it difficult to retain Islam Feruz, the talented 15-year-old forward strongly linked with Chelsea.
The Celtic boss had hoped that Feruz, who arrived from Somalia in 2001, would sign a professional contract when he turned 16.
"I am not aware of that," said Lennon when asked if he had joined Chelsea.
"I have heard all this speculation. I do know that it is going to be very difficult for us to hold on to him."
Feruz, who has also been linked with Newcastle United, stepped into the limelight two years ago in a match in memory of Tommy Burns, the former Celtic manager who had helped the player's family when they faced deportation back to Somalia.
He then became the first player to be selected for Scotland under a new Fifa ruling allowing a British passport holder educated for at least five years in one of the home nations to play for that country.
But the Scotland Under-17 international now could leave his adopted homeland for English football.
Continue reading the main storyNeil LennonCeltic manager
"As it is, I have not seen Islam since the start of the season," admitted Lennon.
"We have done everything we can to keep the player and done more than enough to make him feel at home here.
"He does have other people in the background who are advising him.
"My take on it is that they are advising him wrongly, but we seem to be powerless in that situation."
Celtic would be due a compensation fee for developing the player from any club signing Feruz, but Lennon does not believe that a sum of around £350,000 would be fair.
"Not for a player of his potential, but again I am not aware of all the figures and what the outcome of that might be," said the Celtic manager.
"When it is done and dusted, I would be able to tell you more."
Asked if he felt Feruz was being disrespectful in wanting to leave the club, Lennon replied: "I wouldn't accuse the kid of that.
"He's only 15, turning 16. There are other people in the background who I'd rather point the finger at than the player himself."
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I will be disappointed if we lose him as he seems to have a lot of talent.
Hoping that he realises that he has a better chance of being a top level footballer by staying at Celtic and he remembers what the club has done for him.
Im also hoping that Chelsea remember what happened then the last time they where judged to have tapped up players illegally.
It rumoured that Chelsea are offering him a 3k a week deal and a penthouse apartment in London.
---------- Post added 18/08/2011 at 10:34 PM ---------- Previous post was 17/08/2011 at 08:13 PM ----------
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We drew 0-0 with Sion. Could have been worse but should have been a lot better. Sammy won every header but their was nobody to win the knock-ons (stokes was playing wide left again
) Cha had a brilliant game.
Im still confident of progressing despite our awful away record. We should have Kayal, Hoops and Wilson back and Sion wont be able to play so defensive as they will need a goal as well. The ref also had a awful game so inconsistent and never let us play the advantage.
