Youth/Development Team Thread

2-1, Aidan again.

 

Celtic retake the lead Nesbitt with his second

 

I loved watching our development side on Celtic Tv last year, but they've stopped showing the full matches.

Hope we see him get his chance this season in the first team.

 

3-1, GMS with the third a few minutes into the second half

 

Is Bailly okay? He's just been subbed.

 

Bailly went off at half time after taking a knock in the first half, with Gordon being banned for the weekend we may possibly see Fasan make his debut against Stranraer.

 

Thanks.

Be good to see him get a game, I suppose.

 

4-1 Celtic, Wardrop at the hour mark, O'Connell then replaced by Kelleher.

 

FT 4-1, Celtic 3 points clear at the top with still 3 games in hand

 

Good to know O'Connell is back fot and playing again.

 

Really? I thought it was like an 18 month injury?

 

match report from tonight's game sounds like the hoops played well


CELTIC went three points clear at the top of the SPFL Development League with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over closest rivals Hamilton Accies at Broadwood Stadium
The Young Celts went into the match level on points with the Lanarkshire side but with a greater goal difference and knew that a win would give them breathing space with three games in hand over their opponents.
A first-half double from Aidan Nesbitt was followed by goals from Sam Wardrop and Gary Mackay-Steven in the second half to secure the win as Tommy McIntyre’s side claimed their first victory of the New Year and maintained their impressive unbeaten run in the league, which now sits at 13 games.
After a tight opening 20 minutes, which saw a return to action for Hoops defender Eoghan O’Connell, Nesbitt opened the scoring midway through the half, pouncing on a parry from the Hamilton keeper to put the Celts in front.
The away side drew level shortly after when Ben Reilly beat Logan Bailly in goal with a superb solo run and drive but Nesbitt soon put the Bhoys back in command before the break, slotting home inside the area following a free-kick from Mackay-Steven.
The former Dundee United winger then turned from provider to scorer when he slid in to convert another spill from the Hamilton keeper at the start of the second-half after a great solo run and shot from Aidan McIlduff.
Full-back Sam Wardrop then made it 4-1 by poking home a corner from Scott Allan to seal the points on the hour mark and give McIntyre’s side a winning start to 2016.

 

Good - need a bit of aggression.

 

Excellent! I'm glad I'm not the only one who read that, smiled and thought "it's about * time somebody started doing that around here!"... :smiley-laughing002:

 

Yeah it was after about only two minutes too, boy went off but the Accies twitter account said he was able to walk to a seat in the stand later so it was as bad as first feared.

 

SAM Wardrop certainly won’t be voicing any complaints at the lack of respite for Celtic’s Development Squad as the New Year gets underway.
After a hectic festive schedule, the young Hoops contested their first fixture of 2016 on Monday against Hamilton Accies at Broadwood.
They will be in action twice more over the next seven days, starting with Inverness Caley Thistle on Friday and Dundee on Monday.
It’s been a gruelling run of games for the Bhoys, given their involvement in the likes of the UEFA Youth League and Premier League International Cup alongside their domestic considerations.
But having missed a large chunk of the season through injury, this is the perfect predicament for Wardrop – he’s eager to make up for lost time and feature in as many games as possible.
Since the full-back returned to action in December after suffering from shin splints, he has looked like a man on a mission, impressing at right-back, particularly when foraging forward to get involved in the attack.
And he did so with aplomb Monday by netting Celtic’s fourth goal in the 4-1 win over Accies, so as the second half of the campaign get underway, the 18-year-old is full of optimism and enthusiasm as he catches up with this week’s Celtic View in an exclusive interview.


How have the players been coping with the hectic schedule of games?
It’s been busy but I just came back from injury so I’m not feeling it as much as some of the other boys who have played around 30-odd games already. I was out for two months there and the Partick Thistle game (December 21) was my second 90 minutes since coming back, and I feel as though I have been doing quite well so I feel quite good as we start a new year. . I just want to play as much football as I can as I have missed quite a bit.



What caused you to spend so long on the sidelines?
I had shin splints and I was out for eight weeks with that. It’s not caused by anything so it’s quite a frustrating injury but it’s good to be back training and playing now. My first game was the second half against Chelsea. I got 45 minutes under my belt in that and I was able to get my match fitness back, before I got 90 minutes in the Liverpool game. At the moment, I feel as though I’m back to full fitness which is good.


When you were out injured, did it give you an opportunity to work on other parts of your physical fitness?
I did a lot of work with Remy Tang, the sports scientist, a lot of running and conditioning work. The physios, Dave McGovern and Dave Hartley, also helped me get back as well. I got to spend some time in the gym working on my upper body and legs. Being injured gives you time to work on your overall match fitness as you are doing a lot of running, so it gets you back quicke



You always seem to relish bombing forward from right-back – has that always been part of your game?
When I first started playing I was a right-midfielder. When I came to Celtic, I was a centre-back for a few years and in the last season or two I have moved out to right-back. I prefer this position as you have a bit of defending and attacking so it suits my game. You get to defend and assist goals and be involved in both sides of the game.

 

Cover for Lustig and Janko then? Anyone seen him play?

 

I like him. He's a good player, hopefully he does a Tierney and forces his way into the top team.
I also thinks is good that they play a lot of games, against all kinds of opposition from Europe to Paisley. Fitness / conditioning is much better for the youngsters now aswell. The current crop all see, to have the right attitude too. Ronnie will be encouraging that professionalism. Look at KT. Perfect example to follow.

 

fingers crossed he's another one to get a chance in the first team.