Aberdeen Under-19s 3, Celtic Under 19s 4 (a.e.t.)

A REPORT BY ESTADIO

Scottish Youth Cup Semi-Final
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Sunday April 2, 2006,

ABERDEEN… 3 (Maguire 72, 118, McInnes 101)
CELTIC… 4 (O’Carroll 42, McGlinchey 97, O’Carroll 102, McGowan 121)

THERE is a tingle of anticipation that comes with watching both the Celtic Under-19s (and the reserves when they are manned mainly by the U19 graduates). My attention is obviously very much focused on the wee Bhoys, but objectively speaking It appears to me that the future of Scottish football is being solidly supported by some tremendously exciting talents, and specifically in the case of Celtic, talents that play in what I recognise as the Celtic Way.
On Sunday at Pittodrie, on a beautiful fresh spring day, two teams not only vying for a place in the final of the cup but straining for supremacy over the longer distance of the league, met before a big crowd and with real passion, but most of all a banquet of skill, enthusiasm, effort and pride, presented us with a feast, the full flavour of which was held back until almost the final kick, of the final move, of the final attack, of the final minute of a breathless encounter.
The goals themselves are only one small but obviously defining part of the game; the real muscle, bones, and skin of this rite of passage was provided by the remarkably contrasting styles of play built from two flexible but disciplined approaches to how this magic game should be played out.
From the opening few minutes there was a clear maturity on both sides as any nerves quickly evaporated with both sides forcing the game at every opportunity.
Aberdeen were the more traditionally direct in playing the longer (not long) diagonal ball stretching the Celtic defence and then switching back into the middle for their two mobile lads up front to try to outpace Paul Hutchison and Ryan McCafferty in the heartland of Celtic’s rearguard.
It looked good at times as the ball was speedily moved from defence to attack, but after about five to 10 minutes it didn’t really appear as if it would bear much fruit as the Celtic lads in the middle of the backline worked so comfortably and confidently with Paul Caddis and Dean Richardson, forcing the Dons attackers to head away from goal to the cul-de-sac of the corner flag.
It was on winning the ball back that Celtic’s alternative shorter (but not exclusively) game style really impressed, entertained, and had us at times on our feet in spontaneous applause.
Whether it was Caddis springing forward from right back like a Danny McGrain of old, unbalancing and leaving the opposition in his wake, or Richardson starting a one-two, a one-two-three or even a advancing one-two-three-four as Celtic advanced in tidal waves, the effect was the same.
The movement of central midfielders Simon Ferry and Charlie Grant in support of strikers Paul McGowan and Diarmuid O’Carroll was non-stop and (even with Simon having a slightly subdued game) led to Celtic dominating, both territorially and possession-wise, the whole of the first half.
The Dons backline was beaten on numerous occasions as wide forays reached the bye-line and the ball was alternatively squared for an irrepressive O’Carroll or cut back for the late arrival of Ferry or left midfielder Teddy Bjarnason.
Red-clad bodies were thrown in all directions as net-bound strikes were parried by legs, backs, bums, heads and woodwork. The home keeper Kelly, deservedly at times and fortunately at others, also exhibited the luck that his surname suggests he may have inherited from his ancestors.
The goal when it did arrive on 42 minutes was apparently simple in its final execution of short corner, cross and header by O'Carroll. The skill and fluidity however stemmed from a series of triangles all the way down the right causing disorientation through the accuracy of passing and speed of control as Celtic gained an important half time advantage.
1-0, as we all know, is a tenuous lead, but the whole half had been characterised by the skills of right midfielder Michael McGlinchey, McGowan and Ferry and the incisive tackling and attack launching of Grant and Bjarnason. The team had operated to a pattern of pass and move, pass and move. Balls had been hit long and short and the foraging of the front men had caused some bemusement in the ranks of the home team.
Aberdeen had stuck to their own slightly more structured and in effect predictable style, and had caused few problems for Celtic’s defence where it was clear that everyone understood how they were to play, where everyone understood their colleagues, and everyone had the confidence to provide the solid control and passing game upon which just about every attack was based.
If Aberdeen were to get back into the game then it would either be as a result of a change in style or Celtic would have to make a mistake.
As the second half progressed Celtic continued to impose their will and style with Paul caddis again running a productive line down the right creating numerous opportunities. Time after time a bad bounce, a desperate tackle, or a slight loss of control caused the final pass to go astray. Time and tide will solve that problem!
Aberdeen also continued their approach and up until the 72nd minute it appeared that if Celtic didn’t score again then the game would end up as a 1-0 victory for the away team.
But then that little gremlin that exists in even the best engineered machines raised its ugly wee head and having squandered the ball in midfield, the Celtic defence retreated and was on its heels as it allowed Christopher McGuire to run unchallenged to within shooting distance.
Neither the defence nor keeper Scott Fox seemed to expect the shot which lodged in the back of the net, having passed just under the bar.
Charlie Grant appeared very angry, good man, not with any particular mistake but with the simplicity that it had occurred and with no attempt by any of the hoops to block the Aberdeen player’s run.
Extra time arrived and as the players quaffed their energy drinks, not a spectator left the ground!
The crowd had been supportive and vociferous in their allegiance. And it was to get more demonstrative (and disturbing) before the game was over.
Scott Fox in goal, had injured his calf in attempting to save the equaliser, so before the game restarted he was replaced by Irish keeper Paul Skinner.
Legs were tiring now and tackles started to be missed on both sides. Although Celtic continued to make chances through the overlapping of midfielders and full-backs, the breakthrough to regain the lead actually came from a simple corner and the undefended header from McGlinchey.
Michael then pulled up with cramp and, as we awaited the substitution, Aberdeen again equalised.
The high ball towards the corner flag on Celtic’s left should have been simply nodded out for a throw by Hutchison. Instead, he tried to glance it back infield where it fortuitously rebounded from the speculatively onrushing John Bruce’s head.
Bruce had a free path into the heart of the Celtic penalty box where, with the defence outnumbered and back-pedalling, he cut the ball back for a simple score for Ashley McInnes.
The disappointment and frustration was clear on everyone’s face and by their actions. But the solidarity of the team held and they got back to pressing the ball, pressing the opponents, and keeping the faith in their style.
McGlinchy had been replaced by on the right of midfield by Mark Millar and his fresh legs and penetrative skilful running had Aberdeen once more on the back foot.
Repeatedly the Dons defence was stretched and, as Millar again cut the ball back, this time for McGowan, the forward’s shooting foot was illegally hooked by the desperate lunge of a defensive block as the striker prepared to slot the ball into the net.
Undoubtedly a penalty, although Aberdeen midfielder Brian Neill was red-carded for his over-vociferous protests to the contrary. Unperturbed, O’Carroll restored the young Bhoys' advantage with with a cool and effective finish.
But then again, just as we were starting our countdown to the victory salute, Celtic repeated the mistake of the first equaliser - possibly through tiredness, lack of experience, or God just wanting to keep the crowd on edge.
Once again McGuire was allowed to run deep into the penalty box, where his shot across goal would have been saved by Skinner’s dive if six inches deeper, or would have gone for a bye-kick if six inches shallower.
Running at speed, it says a lot for the Dons striker’s vision and control that he hit the left foot drive perfectly and it nestled in the far side net just inside the post.
The noise from the Aberdeen support went up by 100 decibels as they gave us of the green and white persuasion absolute pelters.
With 118 minutes gone and the score at 3-3, the Damoclean prospect of penalties hung in the early evening air. Surely that would be a terrible way to end this match!
Step forward Mr Paul McGowan who, with one final foray into the Aberdeen area, twisted, turned, spun, and jinked and - with bodies converging and blocking just about every possible shot - chipped the ball over onrushing heads and the clawing stretch of Kelly.
The ball hung there for a while just looking at its own options as the Celtic fans blew and the Don fans sucked.
And then the net bulged!
Pandemonium extraordinaire.
The Celtic lads were 10 feet tall! The Aberdeen youth were slumped on the ground in abject misery. The Dons were finally vanquished and Celtic now had a final against Hearts to look forward to.
I can’t speak for the players, but I was emotionally and physically drained.
As far as Man of the Match goes, I thought Charlie Grant was tremendous, Michael McGlinchey absolutely fundamental to so much of our threat, Teddy Bjarnason a marvellous and creative entertainer on the day, and Diarmuid O'Carroll and Paul McGowan up front tireless in their ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play (as well as score marvellous goals).
Paul Hutchison, Ryan McCafferty and Dean Richardson were controlled and constructive at the back, and the couple of minor slip-ups will be erased pretty sharply from their repertoire.
But on Sunday, I’ll go for Paul Caddis. This boy was simply outstanding!
Just a couple of other observations. Firstly, the crowd.
Every time Charlie Grant got the ball, he was booed. Surely not simply because he has red hair, plays in midfield and has a passing resemblance to Neil Lennon!
This is the thin end of a disastrous wedge. For almost a hundred years the Scottish Establishment has failed to eradicate the cancerous sore of sectarianism within our national game.
The seeds of bigotry, no matter how blindly planted, are now taking root in Aberdeen of all places, where a young boy was roundly and widely ridiculed and undermined. (Charlie did seem to thrive on it mind you!)
And for those of you who see only a bit of provocative fun in all this, I would just say that in reality it wasn’t because of his hair or appearance. It was because of the institutionalised, pathetic, unthinking, destructive evil of poorly concealed prejudices.
If the SPL, SFA and Aberdeen take no action on this then they will be condemned by their own inaction.
Secondly, we had a woman referee. She was great!

ABERDEEN (4-4-2) :Kelly; Thomson, Thomas, Considine, Donald; Neill, Skinner, Bagshaw (McVitie 83), McInnes; Keily (Bruce 60), Maguire. Subs not used: Paton, Lamberty, Leask.
CELTIC (4-4-2): Scott Fox (Paul Skinner 90); Paul Caddis, Paul Hutchison, Ryan McCafferty, Dean Richardson; Michael McGlinchey (Mark Millar 101), Simon Ferry, Charlie Grant, Teddy Bjarnason; Paul McGowan, Diarmuid O’Carroll. Subs not used: Andy Traub, Jacob Lensky, Paul Cahillane.