Celtic Reserves 4, Livingston Reserves 0

A CROWD of around 50 frozen souls looked on from the plastic seats of Airdrie's Shyberry Excelsior Stadium as Celtic's second string strolled to a comfortable 4-0 win over a young Livingston side. Significantly, first team manager Gordon Strachan was not among the chittering few - but he was at the game, sitting snugly behind a glass screen in a heated sponsor's booth.
From his privileged perch, he is sure to have been impressed by the pace and inventiveness with which Kenny McDowall's Bhoys moved the ball about, especially in the first half. But no doubt his primary reason for racing out to Lanarkshire after training was to check on whether the giant Chinese defender Du Wei was ready for first team duty. And there can be little doubt that he is!
Tall and elegant, majestic in the air and pacy on the deck, with a lovely first touch and tons of composure, Du Wei would add a completely new dimension to Celtic's defensive play. He does seem to be still struggling with the language, but his colleagues seemed to intuitively know exactly what he meant by his deep grunts and shouts of "Waaah" with which he indicated his availability for a pass and ushered his fellow defenders up the park following a clearance.
Talking of his fellow defenders, I would be far from nervous if this this back four was sent out to strut its stuff in front of 60,000 in the SPL. Despite the opposition being modest, the defenders are to be commended on their diligence, even though David Marshall would have no doubt preferred to have at least some opportunities to exhibit his shot-stopping prowess.
Surprisingly, Celtic started with the giant Adam Virgo at right back when some observers (OK, that's me!) thought he'd be given a chance in central defence. Adam certainly has the build of a stopper, but put in a decent shift down the right and looked pretty formidable when he got up a head of steam on the overlap, even in the closing minutes. So let's nail this myth for good – this 22-year-old lad is FIT!
Over at left back was Charlie Mulgrew, who looks to be at least 6ft 3in, thus making him and Virgo possibly the biggest full-back pairing in the history of world football!
Du Wei's partner in central defence was the comparatively diminutive Darren O'Dea, a mere smout at 6ft 1in. Yet he hardly lost a header and steamed into some fierce challenges.
In the centre of midfield were the classy playmaker Paul Lawson and the strong-running Stephen Pearson. On the flanks were two slight youngsters, Michael McGlinchey on the right and Michael Gardyne on the left.
Up front were the battling Irish targetman Diarmuid O'Carroll and the pacy youngster Nicky Riley.
From the start, this 11 gave an exhibition of scintillating pass-and-move football, switching play from side to side with ease and seldom squandering possession cheaply.
It took only six minutes for the first goal to come. Virgo passed to McGlinchey 40 yards out on the right, and the youngster veered inside at pace, speeding away from two Livi midfielders before slipping a cute ball in behind a static back line.
The pass ran into the path of O'Carroll, who had made a clever, curving run across the 18-yard line, and big Diarmuid wasted no time in slotting the ball into the corner of the net.
Virgo helped to set up two promising attacks on the right. He found O'Carroll with a long pass in behind the left back but the striker's cross was cleared. Then the big right back thundered forward to power in a cross which fell to Gardyne, who set up Riley. The little frontman skipped past one challenge before sending a lovely chip inches over the bar.
Little Nicky, however, did not have long to wait for the goal he so obviously craved, and this time it was set up by neat play down the left.
In the 16th minute, Mulgrew and O'Carroll linked to send Gardyne scampering towards the by-line before he drove in a waist-high cross.
It appeared to be too far behind Riley to pose an immediate threat, but the wee forward threw himself backwards before twisting his neck to meet the ball and send an incredible header arrowing into the bottom corner.
Older fans may know what I'm talking about when I say it was reminiscent of a goal the great Denis Law scored against England in 1966. Younger fans will just have to use their imagination!
Five minutes later Riley was sent through again by another good long pass from Virgo but, instead of passing to the supporting O'Carroll, he elected to attempt a delicate lob which was pawed away by Livi keeper Duncan Monteith.
Big Adam's no-nonsense direct play continued to cause problems for the visitors. In 32 minutes, his long pass down the right channel again sent O'Carroll clear, but his low cross was cleared. Three minutes later, Virgo sent in a fierce shot that was deflected inches wide.
The resultant corner was flapped by keeper Monteith to the edge of the box, and Gardyne raced in to hammer a left-foot shot into the net to put the Celts 3-0 up.
Five minutes later came the best move of the match. Lawson pinged a 40-yard crossfield pass to Virgo, whose cushioned lay-off was made into a slick one-two by McGlinchey. Adam then ran on to power in a cross which fell to Gardyne 10 yards out, but sadly his rushed effort soared over the bar.
With the game won, and nothing in the way of atmosphere to inspire them, the Celts appeared to take their feet off the gas at the start of the second half.
But after a turgid 12 minutes, McDowall freshened his pack by taking off Mulgrew and Riley and putting on 17-year-old midfielder Simon Ferry and the athletic Rocco Quinn.
The team shape changed to an adventurous 3-5-2, with Virgo and O'Dea either side of Du Wei at the back, McGlinchey and Gardyne as wing backs, Ferry on the right of a central midfield trio alongside Lawson and Pearson, and Quinn joining O'Carroll up front.
Ferry immediately made his presence felt with astute passes and strong tackles, yet hardly deserved the brutish assault from Kenny Adamson that earned the Livi midfielder a deserved yellow card.
Gardyne and McGlinchey continued to get in crosses on the flanks, while Du Wei earned a round of applause from the "crowd" for some cool play at the back.
Celtic made it 4-0 on 73 minutes when Pearson charged down a clearance and raced up the left flank before squaring for Quinn to slide in and send his 16-yard shot speeding into the bottom corner.
Four minutes later, Lawson's inswinging free-kick was knocked inches wide by McGlinchey at the back post. Then, from wee Michael's lofted corner, Du Wei soared majestically to send in a header that was cleared off the line, although the referee then blew for a free-kick to Livingston.
With 11 minutes to go, Ryan Conroy looked set to come on for the tiring Gardyne, but then Lawson, who appeared infuriated by something or other, launched into a silly tackle on Livingston midfielder Martin Scott and was deservedly booked - and promptly hooked by a furious McDowall.
There was still time for 18-year-old left winger Conroy to show some class on the left and for Pearson to send Quinn racing through on the right, although the striker's driven cross was deflected away from the onrushing O'Carroll.
It was a comfortable win, with the fitness and enthusiasm of Virgo and the class of Du Wei obvious pluses for the watching Strachan.
For the longer term, the promise shown by O'Dea, Mulgrew, Lawson, Ferry, McGlinchey and O'Carroll bodes well.

PLAYER RATINGS

David Marshall: Did well to keep himself awake, as he didn't have a single save to make all match. Clutched a few crosses and came off his line well, but almost conceded a comical own goal when he threw a headed Darren O'Dea passback over his left shoulder. The ball went out for a corner but the ref had already blown for an infringement. But we already know what this young lad can do. Here's hoping he keeps his spirits and fitness up until the inevitable opportunity to shine comes round again.
Adam Virgo: Can't remember Celtic ever having a bigger right back - he makes even Roy Aitken look like a weakling. But the big man powered up and down the right and thundered into some meaty challenges. Seems a bit too fond of the long pass but, to be fair, the clever running of O'Carroll turned many of them into excellent passes. Late on, he missed with a sliding tackle to let a Livi player break clear but, all in all, it was yet another step forward by the big man. Still looks more of a stopper, but would certainly add a lot of power and directness to Celtic's defending if selected at right back. He can really belt a ball, too.
Charlie Mulgrew: Another giant, though not as muscular as Virgo. Yet! Big Charlie is a cultured footballer and strikes the ball wonderfully with his left foot. Looked much better in the air, where he clattered into some towering challenges, and showed good pace in his attempts to get forward on the overlap. Not troubled defensively. May well get an outing for the first team at left back sooner rather than later, perhaps against Clyde in the cup.
Darren O'Dea: Won header after header, despite being the smallest player in this giant back four. Yet the Irishman is certainly no midget. The term "no-nonsense" sums him up perfectly. Not too proud to clear his lines, and a fierce tackler. Good shouter, too. Just 18, and a real prospect in central defence or left back. Should be ready to mount a bid for a place in the first team squad next season.
Du Wei: Big "Dooey", as his colleagues call him, (and you can place bets on who Hooey and Looey are!) simply strolled through this game. Leapt really well to win some crucial headers on the few occasions when Livingston managed to fire crosses into the box. Reads the game well, has lots of pace, and rarely looks hurried in possession. A fine passer of the ball, too. Made one or two mistakes in the last 10 minutes, but Gordon Strachan will know if these were down to the flat nature of the match or lack of fitness. He seems a good bet to grab a place in central defence on Boxing Day. And I predict the home support will LOVE him!
Paul Lawson: The young central midfielder had an excellent first half, pinging passes left and right and showing great energy and composure. Found things a bit tougher in the second half when Livingston brought an extra man into midfield to deny him and Pearson space. Deservedly hooked by Kenny McDowall for picking up a stupid booking in the last 10 minutes - his second in the last two games. But he's still an excellent player who would let no one down if called on to turn out for the first team. If he "goes to school" alongside Keane, Lennon and Petrov in training, he'll be ready to make a starting jersey his own within 18 months.
Stephen Pearson: Showed a great burst of speed to set up the fourth goal and always tried to be positive. His pace is a great weapon on the counter attack. But the big man struggled to find space at times. If he does go out on loan, he would do a terrific job for teams like Sunderland or Livingston who mostly have to sit back and rely on hitting teams on the break. I still feel the best is yet to come from the big man but at present it's hard to see where he would fit into Celtic's starting 11.
Michael McGlinchey: Talented and pacy 18-year-old kid who played on the right of midfield then, for the last half hour, as a wing back. More of an attacking player, he set up the first goal with a great surge and was hauled down on the edge of the box after another fine run late on. But you don't realise how small he is until he stands next to Virgo; in amateur boxing terms, it's like a flyweight next to a super-heavyweight! Still young enough to stretch a bit upwards but must continue to add muscle, strength and pace. DEFINITELY a future first team star, but the harder he works in the gym (and at the dinner table!), the quicker he'll get in there.
Michael Gardyne: Wee "Midge" had a pretty productive first half, setting up the second goal for Riley with a good run and cross before drilling in the third. Worked hard as wing back on the left in the second half but appeared to tire in the last 15 minutes when he gave away possession cheaply on a couple of occasions. I suspect he was about to be taken off until Lawson got booked and hooked. For the last 10 minutes he played as more of an attacking central midfielder. But, talented though he is, wee Michael is probably the smallest of all the young Celts and will have to work REALLY hard in the gym to give himself a chance of a first team slot. In fact, a loan move for the next five months may do him a lot of favours.
Diarmuid O'Carroll: This Bhoy really did look the part! The big 18-year-old Irish lad is as brave as they come, and took a savage battering at times. But he kept coming back for more; coming deep to show for the ball and hold it up, or spinning away behind the left back to chase Virgo's long passes towards the corner. A defender's nightmare! Took his goal superbly well and was a tremendous "out" ball for the defenders. I particularly liked his loud yells of "Shoiytt!" whenever he lost possession. There are a few strikers in front of him just now, but at some point over the next 12 months this honest lad will get a wee chance. And he has everything needed to make the most of it. The Irish Mark Hughes? Come back in two years and tell me if I was wrong.
Nicky Riley: Much more like it from the pacy striker. Scored a superb goal and could have had another two. A clever, skillful player, but not as big or brave as big "Dermo". Another who could perhaps do well with a spell out on loan.
Simon Ferry: On for the last half-hour, and immediately stamped his authority on the game. Played on the right of a three-man central midfield and rarely gave the ball away. Ended up with stud marks up his thigh after a scandalous tackle from a Livi midfielder. But he just got up and got on with it, and was soon thundering into more meaty sliding tackles. Fearless, talented, two great feet, reads the game well; ach, I've said it all before. Not 18 till next month, but being given more and more playing time with the reserves. I just KNOW that Strachan really rates this lad.
Rocco Quinn: Powerful runner with a good first touch, he linked up well with O'Carroll for the last half hour. Took his goal really well, and made another good break near the end. Big Rocco must have been injured lately, as this is the first time in a while that I've seen him. Reckon he and the big Irish Bhoy could be a pretty formidable striking partnership at this level.
Ryan Conroy: A 12-minute run-out for the 18-year-old left-sided midfielder, who was used as a wing back but still managed to fire in a couple of dangerous crosses. Must be about 5ft 11in but still a bit on the slight side. Despite his recent call-up to the bench for the Dunfermline game, young Ryan will need to work hard on his strength and pace before he can be a contender for the first team. But he could be there or threabouts within the next 12 to 18 months.

Celtic need to be Keane on change

DID you see Roy Keane last week when he was paraded as Celtic's new signing? His face looked thin, almost painfully thin; the same sort of honed, fat-free look usually reserved for Tour de France cyclists and Olympic-standard middle distance runners.
As he surveyed the media ranks with a steely glare, his eyes occasionally lit up with a revealing glint as he described how arriving at the stadium and meeting some of the squad had convinced him he had made "the right decision".
Several times in his soft Cork burr, he described how he was facing up to a new "challenge". Several times he said the fans would judge him by what he did "on the pitch". At least twice he said he'd come to Celtic "to win trophies".
And, pointedly, he made the statement, later to be repeated, that he had always demanded high standards of himself and his teammates... and that had never been a problem "until three or four months ago".
At first, I wondered why Keano had kept saying the same things over and over again. Then the solution came to me in one word: Discipline.
He had decided what he wanted to say, and he just kept on saying it, caring not one jot for the insistent probing of the assembled press hacks, desperate for a slipped word or off-hand comment round which their editors could compose a disparaging headline.
All the while, the bold Roy sat there, muscles taut with concentration, eager to flex them on something more meaningful.
And when he said the words "training pitch", his eyes appeared to narrow, his muscles flinch. These were the reactions of a professional sportsman longing to be at home.
And in Roy Keane's case, "at home" means the training pitch and playing field. Here, too, he is disciplined. Here, he demands perfection of himself - and others. Far from this being a problem for Gordon Strachan, as Charlie Nicholas so illogically opined, it is a manager's dream.
And Sunday's lethargic, error-strewn, uninspired performance by Celtic at Inverness will have blown out of the water any suggestion that Keano will struggle to get a game in the Hoops' starting XI.
This insipid display was crying out for a sense of urgency, drive and sheer will to win; qualities that the combative Corkman has in abundance.
And any worries Strachan may have had over who to drop to make way for Roy must have been dissipated by the all-round mediocrity of Celtic's midfield during this encounter.
Shunsuke Nakamura and Aiden McGeady fluttered about the fringes to little real effect as a well-drilled Inverness side continually troubled the creaking Celtic back line with power, pace and, above all, simplicity.
Their boundless energy exposed the fading fitness of Stilian Petrov in the heart of Celtic's midfield. The Bulgarian has, of late, seemed to be carrying at least one injury, and has looked increasingly jaded and exhausted.
And invariably behind him on Sunday, too often at walking pace, came the supposed team leader Neil Lennon, whose continual throwing of his arms in the air and petulant strops became increasingly infuriating as the match wore on.
Such was the speed and direct nature of Inverness's attacks that our captain was seldom in position to make a timely intervention. More significantly, he too often killed the pace of Celtic's own attacks and on only one occasion did he make anything approaching a meaningful contribution to the build-up play on the edge of the opposition's box.
With such studied negativity, Lennon does little to shoulder the creative burden, allowing the opposition to double-team our other midfielders.
Could a fit Roy Keane do more? You know the answer to that.
More to the point, every other manager in Scotland knows it.
Sure, Keano might sit deep for the majority of a match. But the opposition would ignore his goalscoring prowess at their peril.
That is why, if everyone was fit, Neil Lennon may have cause to fret for his starting place. On Sunday's showing, he could have few complaints.
However, it must be conceded that Celtic's biggest problem yesterday was the hesitant performance of the entire back four.
Stephen McManus perhaps needs a rest, with Du Wei taking his place. Roy Keane COULD play at the back, but I feel this would be a waste of his talent.
With Bobo Balde set to be missing for several weeks, the next match against Livingston would be an ideal opportunity for Strachan to try out an Adam Virgo-Du Wei pairing in central defence.
The ease with which Barry Wilson sped past Ross Wallace, plus the vulnerability to high balls to the back post, mean Ross Wallace must be looking over his shoulder at the prospect of Mo Camara retaking his place or, more intriguingly, the 6ft 3in Charlie Mulgrew getting a run-out.
And now is the time for Craig Reid or Gary Irvine to launch a sustained challenge to Paul Telfer at right back, now that Didier Agathe seems destined for the exit door.
Recent turgid performances have given Strachan all the excuse he needs to freshen up this Celtic side for the second half of the season. He has competition for every position.
Every player must be made to realise that a sub-standard performance will lead to a loss of a starting jersey.
After Sunday's dismal showing, only Artur Boruc should be sleeping easy on Christmas night.

Motherwell Reserves 0, Celtic Reserves 2

GOALS from Diarmuid O'Carroll and supersub Paul McGowan sealed for a young Celtic Reserves team a victory that truly smelled sweet - thanks to the sugary aromas wafting over from the McOwan's toffee factory next door to Stenhousemuir's ramshackle Ochilview Stadium.
The Nou Camp this wasn't. And I'm sure I spotted some dairy pastures on the road into Larbert that were a good sight flatter and less muddy than the shoddy pitch our Bhoys were asked to play on. Given the bumpy surface, the freezing wind blowing in from the Ochil Hills and the fact the referee was called RICHARD GOUGH (honestly!), then the lads could have been forgiven for thinking this was simply a match to endure, rather than enjoy.
So it is much to their credit that they battled till the end to fashion a decent result, with several youngsters doing their chances of future progress no harm at all with assured performances.
Unusually under the new club regime, the young Celts employed a 3-5-2 formation, with Irish keeper Michael McGovern having precious little to do behind a very effective back line of Craig Reid on the right and Charlie Mulgrew on the left, with another Irish lad, Darren O'Dea, keeping things nice and simple in the middle as a no-nonsense sweeper.
Didier Agathe returned to the right wing-back position he made his own during Martin O'Neill's reign but showed little enthusiasm for the fray before limping off two minutes into the second half. The fact that Celtic's play immediately improved with the introduction of Under-19 star Jim O'Brien in his place was no coincidence.
Over on the left flank was Tony McParland, the injury-plagued winger who recently had a short trial spell at Coventry City. Paul Lawson celebrated his newly-extended contract agreement with an imperious display in the holding role in central midfield, with Icelandic kid Teddy Bjarnason oozing class on the right and Stephen Pearson showing several impressive bursts of pace on the left.
Up front was the ever-eager Nicky Riley and the combative Irishman Diarmuid O'Carroll, who had a fascinating tussle with Motherwell's 6ft 6in centre-half Steve McDonald before a head knock forced him off late on.
The unused substitutes were all from the Under-19 squad: Sandy Wood, Dean Richardson and Ryan McCafferty, with a special mention for their Irish colleague Garry Walsh, who sat and shivered in the stand with the rest of the "crowd" of 80 or so.
The bumpy surface and energetic pressing of the young Motherwell side made studied passing moves a rarity in the early stages, when the ball took a fearful hammering and, sadly, too many long balls found their way to the head of Well's humungous stopper McDonald, who was able to comfortably swat away the challenges of the diminutive Riley.
A goalmouth scramble after five minutes gave Agathe a chance close in, but the ball was on his left foot, and it ended up about 20 yards over the bar. Then Didier linked well with Bjarnason and Reid to burst past two players and send in a low cross which was cut out by a defender.
Motherwell's only chance came when McGovern raced from his area to head clear a long ball over O'Dea's head. It fell to ex-Celt Kevin McBride but fortunately his attempted lob from 40 yards floated over the bar.
An indication that the Celts were coming to grips with the surface came after half an hour when Mulgrew, Lawson and McParland linked well in a tight space on the left. Wee Tony then raced to the byline and sent in a low cut-back which Lawson met on the edge of the box, but his fierce shot was blocked.
The breakthrough came after 37 minutes, and owed much to the growing confidence of Lawson and McParland. Paul pinged a tremendous 40-yard crossfield pass which the left wing-back collected before taking on his man and sending a low cross into the box. It fell for Riley, who laid the ball back to Pearson on the penalty spot.
Big Pearo seemed certain to score, but his fierce shot was magnificently parried by Colin Meldrum. Unfortunately for the Well keeper, the ball fell kindly for O'Carroll to squeeze it into the net from a tight angle.
A minute later, Bjarnason set up Agathe on the right, but his low cross was sent well high and wide by Riley, no thanks to the slippery surface.
The half petered out, with the only excitement being my victory in the race to the pie stall, narrowly pipping a promising young contender named McNeill. Billy, I think his first name is. ;-) He was accompanied by his old colleague Mick Jackson, who famously scored a screamer in a friendly against the brilliant Real Madrid in 1963. Aye, but who got their steak & onion pie and bovril first, eh?
At the start of the second half, O'Carroll and Pearson linked up well on the left, then Riley was bundled off the ball on the edge of the box. From the free-kick, Lawson curled in a superb effort that clipped the top of the bar.
O'Brien came on for Agathe after 48 minutes, and soon after his throw-in was hooked on by O'Carroll into the six-yard box, with Well right back Paul Quinn sclaffing a clearance that came within inches of being a comical own goal.
After 57 minutes, a Lawson dribble set up McParland for a skidding low shot that was tipped just past by the diving Meldrum.
Midway through the half, Bjarnason showed great composure to spread the ball wide to O'Brien, who set up the overlapping Reid for a cross which Meldrum, under pressure, dropped. It fell kindly to Bjarnason, who showed great coolness to dummy two diving defenders before setting himself up for what looked a certain goal.
But Teddy slipped at the vital moment and saw his effort come off the side of his right foot and screw wide.
On 78 minutes, Lawson, who had earlier complained of being elbowed off the ball, was booked for hauling down Darren Smith to halt a rare Motherwell breakaway. Three minutes later, an O'Carroll lob saw Riley beat the offside trap and race into the box, but he couldn't get the bouncing ball to run kindly for him and his shot was blocked for a corner.
With just five minutes to go, McGowan came on for O'Carroll, who had banged his head after challenging the giant McDonald for a high ball. Moments later Gowser ran through to lob the keeper, but he had already been flagged offside.
But the wee man wasn't finished yet.
On 89 minutes, O'Brien was hacked down near the corner flag. Mulgrew came across to whip in a wicked inswinging cross which McGowan met at the back post, leaping to send a downward header bouncing into the net.

MAN-BY-MAN COMMENTS:

Michael McGovern: Had next to nothing to do, which was great credit to the defenders in front of him. Handled a few crosses well but was lucky to see a headed clearance volleyed over by McBride. Could perhaps do better with his kick-outs, as the ones that weren't sclaffed unerringly found McDonald's head. But that's a petty quibble. Mick did well to keep himself awake.
Craig Reid: Just back from a lengthy injury lay-off, but if this is how good he looks in his first game then this lad could be special. Very fast, great composure in possession, good header of the ball, too. Absolutely ideal for a three-man defence but looks as if he could mature into an accomplished right back. I was very impressed. Welcome back, Craig!
Darren O'Dea: Showed great maturity in the middle of the back three, immediately realising that this was no surface for attempting any Franz Beckenbauer "playmaking sweeper" impressions. Won every tackle, didn't try any risky passes, and looked very good in the air, even to the extent of occasionally beating the Well centre-half McDonald a few times, despite being about four inches smaller. Looks like a determined defender who reads the game very well.
Charlie Mulgrew: On the left side of the back three, but pushed forward a lot to support McParland, who played more like a winger. Very good touch for a big man - he looks 6ft 2in at least - and is the team's free-kick expert, boasting a tremendous delivery with his left foot. Apparently Gordon Strachan thinks highly of him, but will he be a left back or central defender? His height says centre-half but his ball skills say full-back. A very talented young man he is. And if he fills out a bit in the gym, he'll be pushing for a place in the first team squad at the start of next season.
Paul Lawson: I have a vague recollection that, in a previous report, I suggested to this player that he should develop an angry side. Hmmm, maybe the lad reads his reviews. Up till now I've seen Paul do the simple things well... but not much else. Here, he ran the show. Playing the holding role in central midfield, he won tackles, pinged passes, dribbled, fired in shots - and got booked! It was for a good professional foul, bringing down a breaking attacker well away from the box. But Paul also snarled at the ref and opponents and looked every inch the BOSS in the middle. With Simon Ferry and Teddy Bjarnason mounting strong challenges for squad places, Paul knows he has to fight to continue his progress into the first team proper. Having seen this performance, I'm now much more confident that he has what it takes to go all the way.
Didier Agathe: Sad to say, Deedee did little to convince this onlooker that he has the hunger to resurrect his first team career at Celtic Park. Restored to his once-favourite position of right wing-back, he appeared only in flashes. Made one trademark run past two defenders but otherwise seemed sluggish. And he was slow to get back on the right on a couple of occasions. Went off with what looked to be a slight strain early in the second half. Sadly for Didier, Celtic then enjoyed their most effective period of the game.
Teddy Bjarnason: What a classy performer! Despite the mud and bumpy surface, he always looked to have time on the ball. Very rarely rushed a pass, displaying bags of skill and confidence. Played on the right of central midfield and blended in seamlessly with first-team squad players Pearson and Lawson. Showed tons of stamina and pace, too. Another step forward for the Icelandic lad, who seems certain to break into the first team squad next season.
Stephen Pearson: Struggled at first to get into a match in which for much of the first half the ball was battered over the midfielders' heads. But showed a willingness to burst forward at pace from his position on the left of central midfield. Set up the first goal when his fierce shot was parried. Linked up well with Lawson and Bjarnason and certainly looked fit. He won't be keeping a video of this match in his collection but did enough to suggest he'll be ready when needed by Strachan.
Tony McParland: My first look in ages at the injury-hit left winger. Showed a great willingness to take on his man on the handful of occasions when Celtic managed to get the ball to him. Fired in some good crosses and certainly looks to have bags of skill and decent pace. Set up the first goal with a run and cross, then was inches away from scoring in the second half. Not the biggest, but a good team player. Sadly, the fact that he was allowed to go on trial to Coventry indicates his future may lie elsewhere. Interested spectators at this match included Dundee United boss Gordon Chisholm and coach Billy Dodds.
Diarmuid O'Carroll: For long periods it looked like it was going to be a frustrating day for the powerful Irish striker, who gives 100% commitment, holds the ball up well and packs a mean shot. But he kept battling away and got his reward when he was on hand to nick the first, a good poacher's goal. In the second half he had a very physical battle with the gigantic Well centre-half Steve McDonald, challenging him for every high ball and giving him a very uncomfortable time all in. Still available for the Under-19s but looks to be a real battler. And, at around 6ft tall, he is a great build for a centre forward in the Mark Hughes mould. Reckon we'll be seeing a bit more of the bold Diarmuid!
Nicky Riley: One to forget for little Nicky, who did well for the Under-19s last season but seemed ill-suited to the physical battle here, where the ball was in the air for long periods. Usually a pacy lad who is good at running with the ball, but his attempts to do so here were betrayed by the bumpy surface. Kept challenging in the air and put pressure on defenders' clearances but I thought he lacked a bit of confidence, as was evident when he beat the offside trap in the second half but couldn't get the ball under control quick enough to score. Would like to see him on a better pitch before passing any hasty and unfair judgments.
Jim O'Brien: This is one confident lad! Came on for Agathe after 48 minutes and immediately made himself at home, demanding possession, taking on his man, firing in crosses, doing step-overs, flicking the ball through his legs and so on. And I bet Craig Reid on the right of Celtic's three-man defence was happy to see him. Big Jim powered up and down the flank, but the minute Well broke on the left, he immediately tucked in to the right back slot, allowing Reid to provide cover in the centre for Darren O'Dea. Textbook stuff. This lad has the build, the skill, the match intelligence, the confidence and the application. I expect big things from him over the next 12 months.
Paul McGowan: On for the last five minutes, the powerful wee striker - possibly reminiscent of our Seventies star Dixie Deans - should have been happy to get a kick or two of the ball. But the Under-19s goal machine just loves to put that ball in the net. Despite being flagged offside, he executed a perfect lob over the keeper. And in the last minute, in the heart of a six-yard box populated by giants, he leapt highest to nod the second goal. That was just about it from wee Gowser. Not bad for his first taste of Reserves duty, eh? And there will be more of that to come for him, especially next season.