Celtic Reserves 1 Hibernian Reserves 0

HE'S played against Ronaldo and his fellow Brazilian superstars in a World Cup match watched by hundreds of millions of viewers; now Du Wei can say he's played against Amadou Konte and a bunch of Hibs kids at a rainswept Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie in front of a "crowd" that barely reached 80.
Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous! But this SPL Reserve League match was a vital step in the Chinese defender's progress towards a place in the Celtic first team. And he certainly did himself no harm with an assured and near-faultless display, even allowing for the limitations of the opposition.
Celtic won 1-0 thanks to a crisp finish by Michael Gardyne in the 25th minute after a run and cross from the recuperating Didier Agathe. Little "Midge" had several chances to add to his tally in the first half, but his finishing was wayward.
After the break, Celtic sqaudered a hatful of chances. Du Wei headed well wide when a Ross Wallace corner found him all on his own eight yards out; what's Chinese for "heid like a thruppeny bit"?
Aiden McGeady rounded the keeper before slicing his shot into the side netting. Then young sub Michael McGlinchey missed an easy header before having a shot cleared off the line in incredible fashion by Hibs centre half Darren McCormack.
Hibs had a couple of chances late on but were foiled by a fine save by David Marshall and a great tackle by Rocco Quinn.
Celtic thoroughly deserved their win but I'm sure fans are more interested in the quality of the players' performances.
Here are my views:

DAVID MARSHALL: Very little to do. Hacked clear after a bad pass-back by Wallace in the first half, then spread himself well late on to block a Konte effort. Totally in command but could perhaps be more vocal in encouraging and ordering about his defenders.

SCOTT CUTHBERT: Last season's centre-half and captain for the Under-19s performed adequately at right back. Flawless defensively but chastised on one occasion by coach Kenny McDowall for his positioning in support of the forwards. Possibly a future first team captain - but in central defence, not full back. Should see him in the first team squad later this season.

ROSS WALLACE: Obviously being groomed as a stand-in for Mo Camara. Nominally the left back but bombed forward at every opportunity. Kept possession well and threw in some magnificent crosses. Unable to judge his defensive capabilities due to Hibs' inability to get forward for much of the game.

ADAM VIRGO: A big, big lad. Doesn't look overweight to me and kept going till the end. Rarely troubled defensively. His running style reminds me of Alan Stubbs but he certainly doesn't have the big man's passing ability. Far too fond of the "blooter" - which may have been appreciated by Brighton fans in the midst of an English relegation battle but is likely to be sniffed at by Celtic fans dreaming of a Champions League campaign next season. Needs to work on his composure and pace.

DU WEI: Seemed bemused by the complete lack of technical ability displayed by his towering opponent Konte. The Chinese defender won most of his headers cleanly and showed good anticipation. Excellent in possession and could add a touch of composure to the first team's defence. But will obviously have to work on his command of English to improve his communication with his teammates. And could perhaps do with being a bit "nastier". Football may be a non-contact sport in China but it most assuredly is not that in Scotland. Hope to see him on the bench soon.

PAUL LAWSON: As ever, impeccable in possession. Always available for a pass and kept things simple most of the time. But sent McGeady clear with a marvellous long ball and was unlucky when a fizzing shot from long range went straight at the keeper. Has obviously learned from Neil Lennon how to keep the game simple. Could now learn a bit from Stilian Petrov about being a goal threat. First-rate squad player who is still improving.

ROCCO QUINN: Tall, powerful youngster who partnered Lawson in the centre of midfield. Good all-rounder who saved an almost certain goal with a fine tackle at one end then almost scored with a shot from the edge of the box near the end. Was being urged by McDowall to get himself forward more. Good engine, and showed good footwork at times. Petrov-esque. Could be seeing him on the bench later in the season.

DIDIER AGATHE: Started at right of midfield an ended up at centre forward. Some nice touches and set up the goal but clearly a bit short of optimum fitness. Looks as if he needs some serious training - and no doubt he'll get it. Perhaps needs another two or three weeks to get back into the first team.

AIDEN McGEADY: Frustrating at times and ended up looking pretty frustrated. Should have scored after rounding the keeper and also had a good shot saved. But still tends to run with the ball too much and is over-elaborate at times. I reckon he needs another yard of pace to take him away from top class players. He didn't hide, though, and could still be a key player for Celtic this season, especially when Shunsuke Nakamura is unavailable. Needs to protect the ball better and play more simple, percentage passes until the right option presents itself.

MICHAEL GARDYNE: Wee Midge did well early on, linking up to good effect with McGeady, Lawson and Quinn. Great close control and can shoot with either foot. But needs to continue to work hard in the gym and at sprint training to compensate for his lack of height. Don't reckon a loan spell at another club would do him much harm (I noted that Morton boss Jim McInally was at the game).

DIARMUID O'CARROLL: Big, strong, bustling Irish striker. He had a hard time against an uncompromising Hibs central defence. Showed great pace to chase long balls into the corners and won his fair share of headers. Not a vintage performance, though. Perhaps another who would benefit from some first team action at a slightly lower grade.

MICHAEL McGLINCHEY: Replaced O'Carroll after 61 minutes and made an immediate impact. Should have scored with a header from a Wallace cross but sent his effort wide. Then very unlucky to see a classy effort kicked off the line. Was used more as an attacking midfielder for the Under-19s last season and that is where his best position undoubtedly lies. Still too slim for first team duty but a tremendously skillful lad who could be a contender next term if he fills out a bit.
TEDDY BJARNASON: Tall Icelandic midfielder who came on for Gardyne with 10 minutes to go and played on the left. Elegant player who shows great composure on the ball. Languid running style reminiscent of Billy Stark. Another who may benefit from a January loan move to toughen him up and add a bit more urgency and confidence to his game.

Points mean prizes: Hibernian 0 Celtic 1

AT full-time in this match, Celtic captain Neil Lennon strode up to keeper Artur Boruc and planted a big, sloppy kiss on his forehead. For seconds earlier, the big Pole-in-the-goal had secured a vital victory for the Bhoys with a crucial block to deny Hibs sub Steven Fletcher a last-gasp equaliser. Yet for the first half-hour of this SPL encounter it had seemed inconceivable that Gordon Strachan's side could end up being so close to dropping two points.
The Celts, clad in their new all-black strip, had completely dominated the opening half hour, playing their best football of the season and carving open the home defence at will. It took them just six minutes to take the lead. A cute John Hartson lay-off gave Shunsuke Nakamura the chance to run at a spread-eagled Hibs defence. Such was their disorganisation that no one was within 10 yards of Stilian Petrov as he latched on the the Japanese midfielder's pass, then strode into the box before rifling a low shot through the legs of home keeper Zibi Malkowski.
For a long spell thereafter it seemed only a matter of time before Celtic added to their tally. Mo Camara, rampaging up the left wing as usual, set up Hartson for a shot but the Welshman dallied and the chance was lost. Then an Alan Thompson pass was misjudged by Hibs left back David Murphy and Nakamura raced into the box, only to fire a tame shot at Malkowski.
Maciej Zurawski then had an effort charged down, before Hartson again produced a tame effort from close in.
Hibs' only chance of the first half came from a Steven Whittaker shot which took a deflection. But Boruc spread himself well to parry the ball. Ivan Sproule also appealed for a penalty when blocked in the box by Bobo Balde but referee Craig Thomson rejected his half-hearted claims.
As the second half started, it was clear the Hibs team had been injected with new life by a fiery team talk from manager Tony Mowbray. All of a sudden the tackles were flying in, Celtic's midfielders were been closed down quickly and possession was being lost all too easily.
An injury to Thompson saw Stephen Pearson come on to take his position on the left of midfield after 49 minutes but the switch appeared to unbalance the Celts. The midfielders and defenders were not helped by the difficulty they were having trying to get the ball to the static Hartson and strangely-subdued Zurawski.
Nakamura also faded from the picture, although he almost produced a wonderful second goal when his 25-yard free-kick hit the post with Malkowski beaten.
Hibs came close again through Whittaker, who ran across the pitch before firing in a fierce left-foot shot with Boruc got a fingertip to - although the referee gave a goal kick. The official was no more impressive in the game's nastiest incident when Sproule squared up to Paul Telfer. The pair locked heads before the Hibs youngster appeared to swing with both hands at the Celtic right back. Incredibly, Mr Thomson merely booked Sproule while also showing yellow cards to Telfer and Balde.
Strachan attempted to inject more energy into the Celtic side by sending Craig Beattie on for Hartson. The move almost paid instant dividends when Beattie advanced into the Hibs box before firing in a shot that rebounded off Malkowski's legs for a corner. From the set-piece, Nakamura played the ball to the edge of the box to Lennon, who crashed in a screaming shot that was just inches over.
How the Celtic fans would have loved their skipper to find the net in his last game before facing an SFA panel for his conduct in the recent Old Firm game.
Nakamura was then withdrawn and Shaun Maloney came on, once more showing good pace and appetite for the game. Hibs were continually finding the central defensive pairing of Balde and the ever-improving Stephen McManus to be insurmountable barriers.
But with the game deep into injury time a pass from Kevin Thomson split Telfer and Balde to leave Fletcher with the chance from eight yards. But in his path he found the hulking figure of Boruc, who guaranteed Celtic's third successive shut-out and SPL win.
Indeed, in their last seven games Gordon Strachan's men have won six, scoring 17 and conceding four - the only blip being that controversial encounter at Ibrox.
Sunday's alarming second-half slump will have convinced the manager, players and fans that much more hard work needs to be done to sustain the momentum towards securing the SPL title and other domestic honours.
But many more teams will struggle this season against Hibernian's talented youngsters. And very few of those teams will be good - or lucky - enough to leave Easter Road with all three points.
And what do points make...?

Hope for the future: Celtic U-19s 4, Aberdeen 1

THIS was an Under-19s fixture but to an outsider it would have seemed at first sight to be a "catchweight" contest between two differently-aged sides. Aberdeen were big, strong, powerful and well organised, while only four players in the Celtic team looked to be any bigger than 5ft 8in. This came as no surprise to the dads beside me, who were able to identify a good number of the players as members of last year's Under-17 squad, while, indeed, a handful are actually still eligible for that team.
With players such as Scott Cuthbert, Craig Reid, Jim O'Brien, Teddy Bjarnason, Diarmuid O'Carroll and Michael McGlinchey having been promoted to the Reserve squad, Willie McStay is fully aware that his new team will struggle at times this season due to the sheer height and strength of the older players they will face.
And struggle they did early on in this match at a sunny Barrowfield, as they were pinned back by the young Dons and gave up an early goal, although it would be churlish to deny the quality of the volley from the edge of the box after a half-cleared corner.
That strike benefited from a stiff breeze which favoured the visitors for the first 45 minutes, but the Celts battled back into the game and from about the 20th minute on they dominated possession, stroking the ball about with confidence and only being let down by some bad luck and poor finishing in front of goal.
This was remedied in a dazzling spell at the start of the second half when two goals from Paul McGowan plus strikes from Mark Millar and Gary Walsh secured a well-merited victory.
The midfield duo of Charlie Grant and Simon Ferry took control of the match, while goalkeeper Scott Fox deserves heaps of praise for two incredible saves in the first half.
A blow-by-blow account will be posted later on the official Celtic website, but these are my impressions of the young Bhoys' performances:

SCOTT FOX: Spiky-haired keeper, not the biggest, but a great shot-stopper. I saw him make save after save against Rangers last season, and here he made two wonderful stops with the score at 1-0 to the young Dons. For the first, Ryan Bagshaw burst through one-on-one after mistakes by both centre-halfs. The Aberdeen striker drilled a low shot towards the corner but Fox got down quickly to stop the ball with his left hand. Then just before the break a cross to the back post was met by the Dons left winger, who nodded a downward header which seemed a certain goal. Somehow, Fox got across to scramble the ball round the post for a corner. A save reminiscent of Gordon Banks against Pele in 1970 - I kid you not. Fox is a fabulous shot-stopper but could do with commanding his box a bit more. Booked for shouting at the ref after the Dons goal. Plenty of talent for goalkeeping coach Jim Blyth to work on.
PAUL CADDIS: Skinny right back with tons of composure and determination. A fearless tackler as well. Rarely wasted a ball. One to watch, but will certainly need a couple of years to develop physically. Steak, eggs and one pint of Guinness every two days for you, m'lad. Just the one, mind!
DEAN RICHARDSON: Blond-haired left back looked comfortable on the ball but didn't really impose himself on the match. He wasn't helped by the lethargy of Lensky in front of him.
PAUL HUTCHISON: Tall, powerful centre-half who won just about everything in the air. Didn't try anything fancy with the ball. One bad mistake which gave Bagshaw a chance but shows promise.
RYAN McCANN: Central defender who is similar to Hutchison but wasn't as commanding in the air. Also made a boo-boo in the build-up to the Bagshaw chance. Just a lad, though, and certainly has the build to make an impact at a higher level.
GARY WALSH: Chunky wee right midfielder who showed good pace and notched a goal. Fired in some lovely crosses in the first half, too. One to watch.
CHARLIE GRANT: Small, ginger-haired midfielder who loves to tackle and keeps possession well. Remind you of anyone? This Lenny look-alike dominated midfield alongside Ferry but perhaps needs to show a bit more menace and invention near the opposition penalty box.
SIMON FERRY: Sheer class. Stocky midfield dynamo who does the lot - tackles, tracks back, keeps possession, dribbles, shoots with left and right foot and isn't scared to get into the box. Missed a sitter in the first half, mind you. But if anyone in this team is going to make the grade, it's this Dundonian lad. And no, I'm not related. Pure quality, by the way.
JACOB LENSKY: Tall, elegant Canadian played on the left side of midfield. Showed good technical ability and has a powerful shot with both feet. But... despite Fargo (or was it Kelso?) singing his praises, I thought this lad showed a lack of pace and, indeed, enthusiasm. Willie McStay was screaming at him to get in at the back post for some of the crosses which Walsh and Caddis threw in. Has to show a lot more determination, drive and "heart" if he's to make it. Sorry if that sounds harsh - after all, he is just a lad. But anyone who hopes to have a chance of making the first team should be shining at this level. So come on, Jacob, prove me wrong.
PAUL McGOWAN: Wee, chunky (again!) striker who struggled at first against the towering Aberdeen defenders but hit a fine double after the break. Will have to learn to hold the ball up better but, given his youth, a fine performance.
MARK MILLER: Scotland Under-17 striker is blessed with bags of pace and a great deal of confidence. A bit on the skinny side at present, so will need to fill out a bit. Just ask Paul Caddis for that diet sheet! Mark scored a good goal but deserves the Play of the Match title for chasing back in the first half and sliding into a tackle which knocked over the Aberdeen water bottles - and coach Sandy Clark! Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood, respendent in a crisp white shirt which struggled to hold in his gargantuan gut - almost wet himself laughing as the former Rangers striker was knocked on to his behookie. Nice one, Mark. And you've a real chance, son, if you learn a few tricks of the trade from Hartson and Zurawski.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable and encouraging performance. Given the comparative youth and lack of height and strength in this squad, they may struggle at times this season. But the sole aim at this level is not trophies and medals (nice though they are) but developing players for the first team. To that end, Willie McStay's already on to a winner with Simon Ferry.
I'll keep an eye on the other lads as the season progresses to see if any more develop into contenders.

Due Wei: How will he fare?

The transfer window has slammed shut, leaving Celtic just one extra player to add to its squad: Du Wei, the 6ft 4 in revered captain of China.
For sure, the signing will open up more commercial possibilities in the Far East but what can we expect on the field of play?
I'm sure China have played against a wide range of opposition in recent years and my informants tell me our big centre half is certainly technically gifted.
However, he will maybe take some time to truly adjust to the pace and aggressiveness of SPL combat.
As such, the fact that big Bobo is still among us will act as a valuable buffer.
Our Guinean defender can be trusted to look after the more aggressive of the SPL forwards. Du Wei will be granted time to acquaint himself with the cultural differences while at the same time exhibiting his own composure in possession and passing ability.
My hope is that we've signed a lanky Alan Hansen. He will certainly be given every support to establish himself in our first team.
As Celtic sail into these uncharted waters, let me assure you that I will be at the Under-19 game against Aberdeen on Saturday. A full report will be posted here on Saturday evening.