Young Celts sink City in Paradise
By: Mark Henderson on 07 Nov, 2011 21:59NextGen Series
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Monday, November 7, 2011
CELTIC…2
(McGeouch 34, Fraser 41)
MANCHESTER CITY…1
(Rusnak 67)
CELTIC Under-19s maintained their ambitions of progressing to the knock-out stages of the NextGen Series with a terrific 2-1 victory over Manchester City in Paradise.
Dylan McGeouch and Marcus Fraser capped off a dream week by grabbing a goal apiece in the first half, just days after both made their full top-team Hoops debut.
Although the visitors pulled a goal back midway through the second-half through Albert Rusnak, the young Hoops comfortably saw out the match to collect maximum points, an outcome which they thoroughly merited, given their dominance of proceedings.
The result leaves the young Celts on six points, three behind second-placed Marseille with two matches remaining.
Both Fraser and McGeouch, who had made their first-team bow against Rennes and Motherwell respectively in the past week, were among those named in the starting XI.
And it was the young Hoops who created the first opportunity after four minutes. Paul George burst forward down the left and released the overlapping Joe Chalmers, whose inviting cross was met by Tony Watt. However, the striker couldn’t keep his header down.
Watt was in the thick of the action minutes later, utilising his power and pace to get in behind City right-back, Tom Smith, but a heavy final touch saw him lose control at the vital moment.
While Celtic were making the early running, Michael Miller had to be alert at the other end to make an excellent sliding challenge on Adam Drury, preventing the winger from pulling the trigger.
And Jordi Hiwula completely mis-hit his shot when presented with a clear sight of goal in the six-yard box.
It had been an entertaining opening, keeping a healthy crowd at Celtic Park absorbed on a bitter November evening, and only a last-gasp challenge from Courtney Meppen-Watters halted Watt from bearing down on goal.
An interception from the lively George then allowed him the opportunity to run at the City defence. The Irish youngster didn't need a second invitation but was crowded out before shooting. Shortly after, McGeouch, who was becoming a growing influence, curled a shot narrowly over.
It was now one-way traffic and Drury felt the full force of a stinging shot from McGeouch after a cleverly-worked corner.
City left-back Ellis Plummer was then afforded a rare sight of goal as he embarked on an enterprising run towards the box but his shot was deflected wide.
Just past the midway point of the half, Jackson Irvine, who had spent most of the evening as the deepest of the midfielders, broke forward and came close on two occasions.
After being picked out by McGeouch’s chip his left-footed volley was pushed away by City stopper, Tom Halsall. And from the resultant corner, he glanced a header narrowly wide of the post.
However, Celtic finally made the breakthrough their dominance deserved in the 34th minute. After a neat passing move, McGeouch collected possession at the edge of the area and drove into the box, drifting past several opponents, before sending an accurate left-foot shot into the far corner.
That prompted the English outfit into an immediate response as the dangerous Joan Roman, who had struck a brace in the corresponding fixture in Manchester, saw a deflected free-kick pushed away by Robbie Thomson.
The same player then embarked on a solo run along the byline, forcing the young shot-stopper into another smart save.
However, the young Hoops went swiftly up the other end and ruthlessly doubled their advantage, through captain, Fraser. Fastening on to McGeouch’s corner at the far post, he spun quickly and steered the ball into the net.
With frustration growing among the visitors’ ranks, Plummer entered the referee’s book for a reckless challenge on Irvine, which left the midfielder requiring treatment. Thankfully, he was able to continue.
Hiwala spurned a chance to test Thomson at the start of the second-half, firing wildly over from 20 yards as the visitors attempted to search for a way back into the contest.
There had been a number of strong challenges coming from the English side and Roman entered the book for a trip on John Herron, before Smith clattered into George, leaving the young winger in some pain.
The young Celts continued to look capable of adding to their advantage, though. A cutback from Irvine narrowly evaded a clutch of attackers and Watt’s spin and shot in the box went straight at Halsall.
The home side appeared in complete command at this stage but the visitors suddenly pulled a goal back in spectacular style as Albert Rusnak cut inside one challenge before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner from 25 yards.
That gave City renewed hope and Roman stung Thomson’s hands with a ferocious shot.
However, Fraser came agonisingly close to restoring the two-goal advantage as he headed McGeouch’s free-kick just past the post. Callum McGregor then rifled a shot over from 20 yards as the youths continued to fashion some decent openings.
Drury provided a late scare for the home side, dragging his shot off target from inside the box. And after that, the youngsters held firm to see out the final minutes and secure an excellent victory.
CELTIC (4-1-4-1) Thomson; Miller, Fraser, Findlay, Chalmers; Irvine; Herron (Fisher 90) McGeouch, McGregor, George; Watt
Not Used: Twardzik, Feely, Bogle, O’Brien, Atajic, Murrell-Williamson
MAN CITY (4-2-3-1) Halsall; Smith, Tse, Meppen-Walters, Plummer; Clowes (King 69) Suarez; Roman, Rusnak, Drury (Henshall 84); Hiwula (Coulson 56)
Not Used: Sharp, Cole, Leigh, Glendon
Website Man of the Match: Jackson Irvine
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McGeouch is a hunskelper in the making for sure! Run the show tonight imo.
