Youth/Development Team Thread

Thats pish.

 

Full time City 3 Hoops 2

 

* free kick. Tough group obviously but feel like the team should have done more in the matches I've seen. Pish at the back and not clinical going forward.

 

3rd goal was really unlucky, but they really should've scored a 3rd in the first half

 

Really unlucky today to be honest..

Have to be better next year though. Real lack of belief and willingness just to camp in when we conceded 1 here, and were still winning. Nervy and passing goes to *..

When we started going for a winner at 2 each and even 3-2 again, we were dangerous. Tactically we sat off and tried to kill the game too early, instead of finishing it. It was there for the taking..

Still a lot of positives in that side though, and we're forever told that it's the development and not the results that matter..

I saw enough today..

Miller is good enough to make the step up on our bench, and is versatile. Seen him lead the line, play both wings and now left back. Impressive in the main..

That was the best I've seen Ajer by far..

Aitchison has terrific movement and i have high hopes for him..

Mikey Johnston always looks good to me..

Ralston, Archibald, Hill(as good as I've seen both), PJ Crossnan always looks good, fast direct and really strong in his hold up..

 

CELTIC's Under-19 side suffered a cruel UEFA Youth League defeat today (Tuesday), conceding a last-minute goal to lose 3-2 to Manchester City after having established a 2-0 lead with an impressive first-half display, in front of Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers and his No.2, Chris Davies.

The game, at City's Academy Stadium, had a pulsating start and a powerful run from Kristoffer Ajer in the fifth minute earned the Hoops a penalty. The Norwegian, who played the match at centre-back, found himself in opposition territory and a shimmy past Charles Oliver secured his side an early spot-kick. Mikey Johnston stepped up and tucked the ball away calmly to give the Bhoys a 1-0 lead.

Celtic kept up the pressure and on the seventh minute Johnston’s delivery from a set-piece forced the City defence to scramble clear. The hosts were struggling to deal with the Hoops’ early energy and failed to carve out any real clear-cut opportunity in the opening stages of the match.

Indeed, Manchester City’s first chance of the game didn't come until the 20th minute when Jadon Sancho danced his way into the box, but his shot was cleared away to safety.

Johnston was next to get on the end of another tidy Celtic attack. The Hoops forward was fed the ball just outside the area but his shot was dragged past the post.

However, the positive start from the visitors paid dividends as Theo Archibald grabbed another on the half-hour mark, and what an incredible strike it was. The winger picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled an exquisite left-foot shot beyond City keeper, Kjetil Haug, and into the top corner to double Celtic’s advantage.

Ross Doohan, at the other end, had to be alert following a long-range effort from Paolo Fernandes in the 35th minute. The Hoops stopper saved well, though.

Jack Aitchison then came very close to adding a third in the 37th minute but the City goalkeeper steered the ball out for a corner with his foot to deny the Celtic striker, and he was then gifted another brilliant opportunity following slack play by the City defence but Haug came to the rescue again for the English side.

The hosts started more positively after the interval and were awarded a free-kick on 49 minutes after Anthony Ralston was penalised for a tackle. And from the resulting set-piece, City pulled one back. Their skipper, Rodney Kongolo, timed his run well to fire a shot past Doohan from the cross, handing his side the perfect second-half start.

The Celtic goalkeeper had to make two terrific stops in quick succession in the 53rd minute, the first coming from Kongolo who again attempted to trouble the Hoops’ backline, but his shot was parried away strongly. And Doohan also denied Brahim Diaz moments later.

The Hoops keeper also to react sharply to save from another Diaz shot that came through a ruck of bodies to keep the score at 2-1 in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, City fashioned another promising position on the edge of the box but Sanchez saw his effort palmed wide by Doohan.

Despite the resilient efforts from Celtic, City grabbed an equaliser when Sancho headed the ball into the bottom corner in the 81st minute from just outside the six-yard box. And the contest ended in heartbreak for the young Celts as, on the 90th minute, substitute Lorenzo Gonzalez tapped the ball into the net from a cut-back to give his side a late winner.

 

* * I go out at half time and this happens

 

Interesting Ajer at CB. Put these results down to experience against top flight opposition, not the result that really counts here, but the developement, growth and exposure of the developement team at the highest level for the future.

 

Wow just saw the score. Bottle job!

 

BR on #UYL: "We watched the Dev Squad and it was great to see them imposing a similar style and idea as the first team against @ManCity."

BR: "There’s a lot more to come from this group. We can get help from a few players coming into the group."

 

Celtic have been drawn away to @HibsOfficial in the @ScottishFA Youth Cup fifth round. Fixture details yet to be confirmed.

 

Love hearing that last part..

I wonder if the McGregor at left back had inspired the call to put Miller at left back..

 

it's possible but who knows.

 

I wasn't asking you but thanks mate

 

Doohan; Ralston, Kerr, Ajer, Miller; Hill McManus; Archibald, Donnelly, McIlduff; Crossan.



McAdams, Duffy, Aitchison, Higgins, Johnston, Hendry.



TOMMY McIntyre has refreshed his attacking line-up for tonight’s game against Hamilton Accies at Cappielow following the last-gasp loss to Manchester City in the UEFA Youth League.

The Bhoys finished of their European campaign for the season with an unfortunate 3-2 defeat to the English outfit in the Under-19s tournament but will be looking to bounce back with a win in their return to domestic action tonight.

Connor McManus, Luke Donnelly, Aidan McIlduff and PJ Crossan all return for the young Hoops for tonight’s game, bolstering a strong squad for the SPFL Development League fixture, while Dan Higgins, Regan Hendry, Mikey Johnston and Jack Aitchison drop to the bench.

The Hoops currently lie in mid-table on 16 points but have played only half the games of their opponents in the league due to their involvement in the UEFA Youth League and Premier League International Cup, and will be looking for a positive result tonight to climb their way up the table.

 

10 minutes played no goals yet a few early chances for the hoops.

 

Calvin Miller playing left back now brendan wants him in this position.