Old Firm Triumph for youngsters
By Bobo the Great November 18 2003
Celtic claimed the spoils in the first Old Firm derby of the under-21 season with a thoroughly convincing victory which saw them inch yet closer to a third successive title
Celtic claimed the spoils in the first Old Firm derby of the under-21 season with a thoroughly convincing victory which saw them inch yet closer to a third successive title
This was a match as entertaining as any played out between the clubs’ second strings in recent memory, and yet it only burst into life after an instantly forgettable opening quarter-of-an-hour, notable only for some assured touches from the returning Stephen Crainey. Indeed, it was the comeback Bhoy who registered Celtic’s best early effort on goal, forcing a fine save from Graeme Smith with a 25-yard free-kick after Ross Wallace had been chopped down by Billy Gibson en route to goal.
The Rangers keeper was impressive throughout, in fact, and yet he could do nothing to prevent Beattie firing Celtic into a 22nd minute lead. Once again, it was Crainey causing problems with a surging run into the danger area, one which ended with the ball ricocheting into the path of Jamie Smith. The young bhoy has been brilliant for the U21's this season and could soon find himself in the first team squad.From 16 yards, the Hoops winger forced a superb save from his namesake in the visitors’ goal, and picking up the scraps was Beattie, who, from an acute angle, side-footed into the unguarded net. It was the 19-year-old striker’s first goal against Rangers at this level, and his celebrations betrayed just how much scoring against his former club meant to him.
It appeared almost embarrassingly comfortable for Celtic at this stage and yet, within three minutes, a defensive slip had gifted Rangers a way back into this match. The otherwise assured Stephen McManus was the guilty party and, after committing to an ill-advised and unsuccessful challenge on Chris Burke, the Hoops defender could only watch as the red-haired winger cut the ball back for Robert Davidson to side-foot beyond David Marshall from 10 yards.
Celtic were soon back in the ascendancy, however, and on the hour mark, a delightful piece of skill from Smith set up Bryan Prunty to cut inside from the left flank and force a fine save from the Gers’ keeper. Five minutes later, Prunty went one better with a goal that effectively put the outcome beyond doubt. Beattie created it, racing through on to a Crainey pass and, with the Rangers defence exposed, squaring the ball for his strike partner to crash a left-foot shot into the partially guarded net from close range.
Celtic now stretch their lead at the top even further and a 3rd consecutive championship looks imminent if this kind of form continues.
Celtic Team
4-4-2 Marshall
Jack
Laursen
Mcmanus
Crainey
Guppy
McBride
Smith
Wallace
Prunty
Beattie
Hoops Online Man Of The Match: Craig Beattie
The Rangers keeper was impressive throughout, in fact, and yet he could do nothing to prevent Beattie firing Celtic into a 22nd minute lead. Once again, it was Crainey causing problems with a surging run into the danger area, one which ended with the ball ricocheting into the path of Jamie Smith. The young bhoy has been brilliant for the U21's this season and could soon find himself in the first team squad.From 16 yards, the Hoops winger forced a superb save from his namesake in the visitors’ goal, and picking up the scraps was Beattie, who, from an acute angle, side-footed into the unguarded net. It was the 19-year-old striker’s first goal against Rangers at this level, and his celebrations betrayed just how much scoring against his former club meant to him.
It appeared almost embarrassingly comfortable for Celtic at this stage and yet, within three minutes, a defensive slip had gifted Rangers a way back into this match. The otherwise assured Stephen McManus was the guilty party and, after committing to an ill-advised and unsuccessful challenge on Chris Burke, the Hoops defender could only watch as the red-haired winger cut the ball back for Robert Davidson to side-foot beyond David Marshall from 10 yards.
Celtic were soon back in the ascendancy, however, and on the hour mark, a delightful piece of skill from Smith set up Bryan Prunty to cut inside from the left flank and force a fine save from the Gers’ keeper. Five minutes later, Prunty went one better with a goal that effectively put the outcome beyond doubt. Beattie created it, racing through on to a Crainey pass and, with the Rangers defence exposed, squaring the ball for his strike partner to crash a left-foot shot into the partially guarded net from close range.
Celtic now stretch their lead at the top even further and a 3rd consecutive championship looks imminent if this kind of form continues.
Celtic Team
4-4-2 Marshall
Jack
Laursen
Mcmanus
Crainey
Guppy
McBride
Smith
Wallace
Prunty
Beattie
Hoops Online Man Of The Match: Craig Beattie
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