Celtic Reserves 2, Motherwell Reserves 1

FIVE hours after the final whistle blew on this ultimately thrilling, but unconvincing, win for Celtic's second string it was confirmed that they were the Scottish Premier Reserve League champions for the fifth season in a row.
Defeat for Aberdeen at home to Dundee United and a 1-1 draw for Rangers at Livingston handed the title to Kenny McDowall's side after an afternoon in which they had seemed determined to squander their lead at the top of the table.
A last-minute goal by Darren O'Dea finally clinched the points for the Hoops and ensured a hat-trick of SPL titles for the club after the earlier triumphs of the first team and Under-19s.
But amid the celebrations, I feel several of those who took part in this match at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie will have reason to fear for their futures in the famous green and white jerseys.
Plainly put, some of them don't look up to the task of mounting a challenge for a first team jersey and may have to make way in the near future for some younger and more confident contenders.
This was a disjointed performance, not helped by McDowall's continual tactical tinkering, which appeared to confuse his own team more than the opposition.
It was only when a trio of youth players were added to the fray in the last half hour that the Celts displayed any style, control or fluidity.
Celtic had started with a 4-4-2 formation, with David Marshall in goal behind right back Garry Irvine, left back Ross Wallace and central defenders Scott Cuthbert and Darren O'Dea.
Rocco Quinn started on the right of midfield, with Paul Lawson and Stephen Pearson in the centre and Michael Gardyne on the left flank.
Jim O'Brien and Nicky Riley made up the forward line. Well, at least to begin with they did.
And how things might have changed if the team's first decent move of the game had resulted in a goal. A flurry of quick passes set Quinn through on the right, but his low cross went behind the strikers and feel to Gardyne at the back post. But the effort by "Midge" was sliced wide.
Motherwell then had a golden chance to take the lead on 13 minutes when a sharp turn by the giant striker Abel Thermeus took him past Cuthbert, but Marshall did well to block his fierce shot.
The visitors suffered the first of a string of injuries when, after 27 minutes, striker Steve McGarry was led off with a head cut after an accidental clash with O'Dea. His place was taken by Stephen Maguire, son of Celtic Pools supremo John, who had shone in Well's Under-19 clash with Celtic at Shotts last Friday.
The Bhoys were struggling to find any rhythm. Quinn sliced a shot wide before Rocco's pass sent O'Brien clear on the right, but his cutback was miskicked by Pearson and fell behind Gardyne.
On 32 minutes, Well midfielder Darren Smith cut inside O'Dea at the edge of the box but sliced his left-foot effort well wide.
That was the cue for McDowall to make his first tactical switch, pushing Quinn up front and sending O'Brien out to the right of midfield. But the new front pairing of Rocco and little Nicky was to make no impression on Motherwell's central defenders Bobby Donnelly and William Kinniburgh.
A jinking run by Gardyne ended with the ball falling to Lawson on the edge of the box, but he puled his shot wide.
McDowall then switched to a 3-5-2 formation, putting Gardyne in the "hole" behind the two strikers and pushing Wallace forward to a left wing-back role.
Unfortunately, Ross forgot about the "back" part of that role, and right on half-time he stood watching as a low cross across the Celtic box fell to the man he should have been marking, Smith. It took a brave sliding block by O'Dea to keep the Celts on level terms at the break.
Motherwell started the second half with William Soutar on for right back Paul Quinn. McDowall then shuffled his cards again, pushing Riley out wide on the right, with Quinn and O'Brien now the front pairing.
A fe minutes later, Riley was replaced by Michael McGlinchey, who went into that "hole" behind the forwards, with Gardyne becoming the fourth player to occupy the right midfield spot. He wasn't to be the last.
But first Celtic's title hopes were given a nasty setback when, after a jinking run in the 58th minute, Maguire sclaffed a left-foot effort that wriggled between Marshall's legs before trundling into the corner of the net to put Motherwell 1-0 up. It was a sloppy goal befitting of what had been, up till then, a sloppy performance.
To the rescue came the Under-19 team's natural born winners, Charlie Grant and Simon Ferry. Wee Charie parked himself in front of the Celtic defence, pushing Pearson and McGlinchey forward in the centre. "Si" became the fifth player to try his hand on the right of midfield. And he was by far the most successful.
Almost immediately the change was evident. The passing was quicker and more accurate. At long last there was an urgency and determination about the Hoops.
After 64 minutes, Pearson was hauled down on the edge of the box, but Wallace's free-kick was cleared. A minute later, O'Dea met a Wallace cross but headed straight at Colin Meldrum.
Motherwell used up their third and last sub with 19 minutes to go when Adam Coakley came on for Smith. They were later to play the last 10 minutes with only 10 men after Kiniburgh limped off with what looked like a groin injury.
But by then Celtic were clearly in the ascendancy. After 72 minutes, Ferry broke down the right but his cross was scrambled clear. He then fired in a left-foot shot that went just wide.
Quinn then sent Irvine away, only for his cross to be cleared, before Wallace sent the ball over the bar from a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty box.
With 11 minutes left, Celtic equalised with a goal out of nothing. Irvine's long throw was aimed at O'Dea at the front post, but he was beaten to the header.
The ball, however, floated to Quinn at the corner of the box, who fired in a magnificent volley that rocketed across Meldrum's flailing arms and into the net.
With Celtic pouring forward, there was always the chance of a conter attack. And Thermeus looked to be in with a chance of a surprise winner when he sprinted through with only eight minutes to go.
He was halted, however, by a last-ditch tackle by Cuthbert, who made contact with just enough of the ball to persuade the referee not to award a penalty and flash a red card.
The young Celts were by now throwing everything at Well, with even O'Dea acting as an auxiliary centre forward. They seemed to have blown their last chance when Ferry sent Quinn clear, only for Rocco to shoot wide.
But in the 89th minute the Celts conjured up a bizarre winner that was ultimately to guarantee them the league title.
With the ball at Cuthbert's feet, the makeshift Motherwell defence attempted to play offside, but misjudged badly. Big Scott's long ball sent Quinn racing clear on goal, with O'Dea in support.
Spurning the chance to square the ball to the Irish defender, big Rocco ran in on Meldrum, then sclaffed a right-foot shot that looked to be heading wide.
But Well defender Soutar, running back at pace, slid in to stop the ball, which sat up perfectly, two yards out in the centre of goal, for the astonished O'Dea, who lashed it into the net before running off to celebrate.
It was a crazy winner for a strange game. But one that sealed the title for a club that seemingly can't stop winning.

Motherwell Under-19s 0, Celtic Under-19s 1

AS the final whistle blew at the end of this thrilling match, Celtic's exhausted youths somehow found the energy to run towards each other, shouting and yelling, punching the air and jumping, before huddling together to dance in joyous celebration, chanting "Championees, championees" as their gallant opponents trudged lifelessly towards the dressing rooms.
A hard-fought victory, fittingly secured by a goal from player of the season Simon Ferry, had left Willie McStay's young Bhoys 10 points clear of their nearest challengers, Rangers, with only three matches left for both sides.
No one could claim the win was not merited; after a difficult opening 20 minutes Celtic had seized the initiative and, indeed, spent practically the entire second period camped in the Motherwell half, firing in shot after shot until finally the ball was forced past the home keeper and into the net.
But a true measure of their achievement can be garnered from the fact that the young Well team they deservedly defeated had only days earlier trounced Rangers 4-1.
And it has to be taken into account that this group's astonishing success had already seen key players such as Scott Cuthbert, Darren O'Dea, Ryan Conroy, Michael McGlinchey and Jim O'Brien promoted to the Reserves and unavailable for selection today.
Even so, McStay was able to field a formidable starting 11 to take on a Motherwell team which had his own son John at right back while, adding further irony to the occasion, midfielder Stephen Maguire was watched from the sidelines by his father John, managing director of the Celtic Pools operation which contributes more than £1million a year to the club's youth development operations.
Back in goals for the Under-19s came Scott Fox, recovered from injury and fresh from his first 90-minute appearance for the Reserves in midweek, a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock.
The back four had the merit of continuity, with Paul Caddis at right back, Dean Richardson on the left and big English lad Paul Hutchison partnering Denny's own Ryan McCafferty in the centre.
In midfield, Mark Millar started wide right, with Charlie Grant and fit-again Simon Ferry in the centre. Out on the left flank for a change was the Icelandic youngster Teddy Bjarnason. Up front, again, were Paul McGowan and the Kid from Killarney, Diarmuid O'Carroll.
The game was played at Hannah Park, the home park of junior team Shotts Bon Accord which boasts one of the largest playing surfaces in Britain. But although the pitch was big and reasonably flat, it was extremely heavy after recent downpours.
This hampered Celtic's silkier midfielders in the opening exchanges, with Millar, Ferry and Bjarnason all struggling to impose themselves on the game as their moves got, literally, stuck in the mud.
Motherwell, no doubt bouyed by their thumping win over Rangers, were full of running, closing down the Celts and getting the ball forward quickly. It was from one such long ball after 13 minutes that Well's centre-forward Adam Coakley outpaced Hutchison and fired in a shot that was heading for the top corner until it was bravely parried over the bar by Fox.
At this stage no one was doing more to stem the tide than Grant, who won every 50-50 tackle going and even a few that weren't even 30-70. Such was this one-Bhoy destruction unit's effect on the home team's resolve that Connolly lunged into a fierce tackle from the back on Charlie on one of his rare ventures down the right wing. How the Motherwell midfielder escaped a booking must remain a mystery.
Motherwell continued to enjoy a slight edge, helped in no small measure by the strong wind which blew down the pitch. It took some courageous blocks from Hutchison and McCafferty to keep out scoring efforts as the wee Bhoys struggled to find their rhythm.
As the battle grew more intense, Celtic's Millar and Well's Soutar were booked for some childish off-the-park squabbling.
If the slightly built Celt was annoyed by that, he was absolutely livid after 30 minutes when a looping Richardson cross was missed by the home keeper Alexiou but, in front of an open goal, young Mark seemed to be taken by surprise as the ball arrived at his right foot and lifted his volleyed effort over the bar.
Five minutes from half-time, a Richardson free-kick from the right was dropped by Alexiou, hit Hutchison on the back and bobbled inches wide.
At this stage it was clear Celtic had seized the initiative. It seemed the Motherwell youngsters' early efforts had begun to tell on their legs in the tiring conditions.
And right on half-time O'Carroll blew a golden chance, missing his kick six yards out when a Richardson cross from the left fell to him on the volley after being contested in the air by Millar and McGowan.
It had been a tousy, fiercely fought first half and a draw at this stage seemed fair. But Celtic came out for the second period determined to take full advantage of the strong wind at their back. And from the first minute they forced their opponents deep into their own half.
For the first 10 minutes, however, there was too much haste and not enough composure about the young Hoops' efforts. O'Carroll and Millar both tried their luck with ambitious efforts that whistled yards over and wide.
But the flow of the match was turned on its head by the mercurial Bjarnason, a ball-juggling wizard with magical control who had been relatively subdued for the first 55 minutes.
From then on, however, he was a constant menace to the home rearguard, and in particular to his own coach's son.
Big Teddy turned McStay inside-out before laying a ball back to the edge of the box for McGowan, whose curling effort slipped just wide. Then a superb, swaying, jinking run saw Bjarnason again set up McGowan for an effort that was blocked.
Meanwhile, Hutchison was booked for a cynical foul to stop Maguire breaking away and Well's Coakley was yellow-carded for raising his foot to Fox as the keeper attempted a kick-out.
By now the Motherwell goal was under siege. On 61 minutes, O'Carroll put Caddis through, but the marauding full back pulled his shot wide when McGowan and Bjarnason were better placed to score. Two minutes later a wonderful Ferry pass put Bjarnason clear, but his cutback was blocked. Millar's corner kick that followed whizzed just inches over the bar.
On 65 minutes, Grant was put through but, unaccustomed as he was to being so far up the park, Charlie was tackled before he could shoot. The resultant corner by Millar was headed goalwards by O'Carroll before being cleared off the line, with the Celts claiming in vain for a goal.
Only a minute later, a driven cross from Caddis was flicked on by Millar's head to Bjarnason, who produced a lovely piece of skill to lift the ball over a charging defender with his right foot before firing in a left-foot shot that cracked off the post. What a goal that would have been!
Alexiou's frequent kick-outs were struggling to make the halfway line, and Celtic were simply pouring forward in wave after wave. In 69 minutes, Millar chased 30 yards to win a tackle, then got to his feet to fire in a fierce shot that went straight at the keeper.
Seconds after that, McGowan fed Bjarnason and took the return pass, only to slice a weak shot that was easily saved. It was exhausting just watching the Bhoys as they battled ceaselessly for that elusive goal.
Millar fired in a shot which Alexiou saved. Then young Mark's fierce free-kick from the corner of the box was tipped over by the keeper.
When Bjarnason fired a right foot shot wide with only 10 minutes to go it began to seem that, despite their total dominance of the second half, the young Celts' title party was destined to be postponed.
It was then that Simon Ferry stepped forward to start and finish a goal of breathtaking quality. Surging forward from deep in midfield, he fired a pass at McGowan and ran past him at speed.
Simon collected the inch-perfect return pass at the edge of the box, then sidestepped a challenge to give himself a shooting opportunity. Still running at pace, he then jinked past the left back's desperate sliding challenge to go one-on-one with the keeper.
Lesser players would have panicked. Ferry simply rolled the ball past Alexiou's outstretched right leg and into the far corner of the net.
Cue delirium as ecstatic teammates engulfed the scorer at the corner flag. It was a goal fit to win any league title.
Motherwell's chances of staging a comeback were sabotaged within a minute by an act of petulance from Coakley who, as Caddis sprinted past him at speed, simply whipped the full back's legs from underneath him. A clear yellow card to add to the even sillier one he had picked up earlier.
There was only going to be one winner from here on in. Millar and Caddis set up McGowan for a shot which was blocked.
Paul Cahillane came on for O'Carroll with three minutes left and promptly sent a curling effort just wide. In the last move of the game, the young Irish lad had an effort well saved by Alexiou after being put through by McGowan.
Moments earlier Paul's compatriot Graham Carey had come on for the magnificent Bjarnason, who was clapped off the pitch by the few hundred spectators privileged enough to have witnessed his efforts.
Seconds later, the final whistle blew and the title celebrations began. It's becoming quite a habit for Celtic teams these days!

Bhoy-by-Bhoy ratings

Scott Fox: Was only called into serious action on one occasion, but his wonderful save from Coakley's fierce shot in the 13th minute was a key moment in the game. That apart, his handling was faultless as he picked up yet another clean sheet. Young Scott has played 18 of Celtic's 19 youth games this season and has only conceded 9 goals in those games. The statistics don't lie - this lad is a superb shot-stopper.
Paul Caddis: I believe young Paul has another year at this level, and he will be practically unstoppable by next season. Simply never stops surging down the right whenever Celtic have possession on that flank. Not his most productive afternoon, but played a key role in forcing Motherwell back towards their own goal. Wonderful ball control and a tireless runner. Just needs to grow and fill out a bit.
Dean Richardson: Mr Reliable faced a tough tussle early in the first half but then his inswinging free-kicks and crosses began to cause problems for the Well defence. Had the privilege of being able to sit back and watch Bjarnason at his best in the second half. Occasionally tries too hard to match the superb ball skills of some of his teammates. A dependable defender who has had a great season.
Ryan McCafferty: Up against it early on, but won headers and made blocks as Celtic behaved bravely against a strong wind and fired-up opponents. After the break, Well were forced to play it long, but big Rybo won everything that came his way. Has come into his own in recent weeks and is growing in confidence.
Paul Hutchison: Powerful big English lad doesn't try anything clever but wins everything in the air. Was caught out by Coakley early on and was delighted to see Fox make the save. From then on, he didn't give the Well forwards a sniff, and made some great tackles and blocks. More Mowbray than Beckenbauer, but every team needs a reliable stopper.
Mark Millar: Struggled early on in the heavy conditions but battled away and had a good second half. Mark will also be playing Under-19 football next season, when he could be one of the team leaders. Lovely footwork and a great striker of the ball, he could be a real prospect in a couple of years time if he works hard on his skinny frame.
Charlie Grant: Any rugby fans out there may have winced in admiration at some of the fierce tackles which Scotland captain Jason White put in during this year's Six Nations Championship; in football terms, his match is Celtic Under-19s captain Charlie. Around 5ft 8in of muscle and fierce determination, he ploughed through the mud to win tackle after tackle and put the fear of God on this Good Friday into Motherwell's midfield. Being tackled by this lad must be the equivalent of a car being hit by a train. Sheer devastation! During the close season he might want to work on his composure in front of goal, but that's a minor quibble against this battler after a true Man of the Match performance.
Simon Ferry: For the first 25 minutes I feared "Si" was struggling to shake off the injury that forced him off on Saturday. But then this inspirational player gritted his teeth and began to drive his teammates forward. He ran the show in the second half, playing passes and bombing into the box as Grant sat deep. But nothing came off until 10 minutes from time when he scored his wonderful goal. Undoubtedly the player of the season for this squad. Only 18, he is available for another year at this level but will almost certainly be promoted to the Reserves, if not the first team squad. May even be put out on loan for six months. Some team could be about to get VERY lucky!
Teddy Bjarnason: Did next to nothing in the first half apart from give the ball away when his deft flicks struck a divot or he was robbed of possession by the fired-up hosts, who were hunting in packs. But in the second half he was well-nigh unstoppable. Drifting in on to his right foot, cutting back on to his left, step-overs, dribbles, crosses, shots, the lot. Eventually Well had to double-team him in an attempt to halt his mazy runs. Big Teddy turned the match and almost scored one of the goals of the season. If he continues to progress at this rate, he could be a SPECIAL player. Got a deserved ovation from the appreciative crowd when he went off in the last minute.
Diarmuid O'Carroll: The big Irish lad should get his lottery ticket on because his luck is sure to change. Missed a pinch in the first half and had a header cleared off the line in the second. But he led the line superbly and outmuscled his direct opponents. A powerful Bhoy but, as a targetman striker, he has to be. Sure to spend much of the summer in the gym and could really make a push for the first team as next season progresses.
Paul McGowan: The team's top poacher was right out of luck in numerous occasions, with shots being blocked, saved or fizzing just wide. But continually showed for passes from the midfielders and linked up play well. Has come on a ton this season and will probably feature for the Reserves next season. Paul has the skill and eye for goal but will have to keep working on his speed and physique.
Paul Cahillane: The 17-year-old Irish kid only got a few minutes as striker after coming on for O'Carroll, yet could have scored a couple of goals. With a dearth of left wingers at this level, he may have to show some adaptability for the Under-19s next season. But from the way Paul has filled out in recent moths, it is clear he is working very hard.
Graham Carey: On for the last few seconds for Bjarnason on the left of midfield, and even got a kick of the ball! This confident and talented Irish youngster will be a big player for the Under-19s next season.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Mark Staunton, Andy Traub.

MOTHERWELL: Alexiou; McStay (Gormley 84), Smith, Reynolds, Quinn; Connolly, Soutar, Grant (Forbes 88), Russell (Kane 78); Coakley, Maguire. Subs not used: Martin, Nixon.

Celtic Under-19s 3, Kilmarnock Under-19s 1

THE real significance of this hard-earned victory for Willie McStay's youth side, which takes them to the brink of retaining their league title, lay in the long list of talented youngsters who did NOT take part in it.
Cenntral defenders Scott Cuthbert and Darren O'Dea plus midfielders Michael McGlinchey, Teddy Bjarnason and Ryan Conroy and striker Jim O'Brien, who are all eligible for this age group, were rested ahead of the Reserves' crucial match on Tuesday night at Kilmarnock.
With regular keeper Scott Fox injured, the last thing the young Bhoys needed was to see influential playmaker Simon Ferry limp off after 40 minutes.
Yet it was in the subsequent period of the game that the Celts, shorn as they were of eight first-choice picks and fielding four members of the Under-17 squad, played their best football of the game and tied up the points.
They had started with Irish Under-17s keeper Paul Skinner in goal, with Paul Caddis at right back, Dean Richardson on the left and Ryan McCafferty and Paul Hutchison in central defence.
Mark Millar started on the right of midfield, with Simon Ferry and Charlie Grant in the centre and 17-year-old Canadian kid Jacob Lensky on the left. Up front were Paul McGowan and Irish striker Diarmuid O'Carroll.
In the early stages Celtic's main goal threat came from a series of inswinging corners taken from the right side by Richardson, but somehow Kilmarnock survived several goalmouth scrambles, with shots and headers being blocked on the line.
The left back also came close to scoring himself, but his 20-yard free-kick was tipped round the post by Killie keeper Peter Logan.
It really was one-way traffic, with most of Celtic's best play coming down the right flank, where Millar was impressive but Caddis was simply unstoppable. The marauding full back almost scored after 14 minutes when a driving run took him past two defenders, but he pulled his shot wide.
Millar should have done better than shoot into the side netting when put through by a superb Ferry pass. On 27 minutes, Caddis fed Millar for a drilled cross that O'Carroll was inches away from connecting with.
Two minutes later, Caddis robbed a defender on the by-line and set up O'Carroll for a shot that was blocked.
And five minutes from half-time, a flowing counter-attack after Kilmarnock's first corner of the game saw McGowan and Millar send Grant straight through, but the midfielder couldn't control the pass, and the chance was lost.
Caddis then stung the keeper's hands with a fierce 25-yard shot before Ferry limped off with what looked like a knee injury. He was replaced by 16-year-old Irish lad Paul Cahillane, who went to the right flank, with Millar pushing inside to join Grant in central midfield.
The switch did little to stem the wave of attacks towards the Killie goal. Lensky volleyed over after a Richardson corner had once again induced panic in the visitors' defence, before McGowan showed great skill to control a high ball then, in one movement, turn and volley a shot just wide.
It seemed incredible that after constant Celtic pressure the half-time whistle sounded with the game still goalless. But whatever coach McStay said at the break, it reaped an instant reward.
In the first move of the second half the ball was played out to Lensky, who had been starved of possession in the opening 45 minutes.
The big Canadian showed what we had been missing as he danced past two defenders with a dazzling piece of skill before cutting back a low cross which O'Carroll left-footed into the net from six yards out.
That goal settled the Celts, and six minutes later they doubled their lead thanks to the classy Caddis, who cut inside the box before unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner.
For a while it seemed the two-goal lead would allow the young Bhoys to turn on the style for the watching spectators, who included the club's chief executive Peter Lawwell and the writer and actor Tony Roper.
But a moment of slackness on the hour mark turned the game on its head. After a quick Kilmarnock counter-attack split the Celtic defence, Skinner did well to save from Loy, but the rebound fell to Cox, who tapped into the empty net.
McGowan had two long-range efforts saved before the Celts were almost made to pay dearly for their catalogue of missed chances when a deep cross was headed off the bar by Cox.
But just as nerves were setting in, Kilmarnock were made to pay dearly for a spot of petulance by their towering midfielder Jamie Adams.
The giant teenager had been sent off in the corresponding fixture in Ayrshire in October for a crude lunge at Grant, and it seemed he had learned nothing from that experience.
Having been booked in the first half here for a foul on Ferry, he had thereafter tested the referee's patience on several occasions.
But when he was tackled fiercely by Grant on 78 minutes, he reacted angrily to the young Celt holding his leg. The referee reacted by showing both players yellow cards, meaning the Killie youngster had to take the long walk back to the dressing rooms again.
Ireland Under-17s star Graham Carey came on for Lensky, and a minute later Celtic tied up the points.
McGowan showed some neat footwork at the edge of the box before teeing up O'Carroll, whose fierce shot took a deflection on its way past Logan.
The Hoops were now in complete control. Cahillane set up Caddis, whose shot was blocked, then Cahillane crossed for fellow Irish lad Carey, whose looping header crashed off the bar.
In the last two minutes, Scotland Under-17s defender Mark Staunton came on at right back, replacing Cahillane, who had picked up a knock, with Caddis pushing forward into midfield.
There was only time for Carey to come within inches of adding the fourth before the final whistle signalled the fact that these young Celts are now only one win away from securing the SPL Youth League title.

CELTIC: Paul Skinner; Paul Caddis, Dean Richardson, Paul Hutchinson, Ryan McCafferty; Mark Millar, Simon Ferry (Paul Cahillane 41) (Mark Staunton 88), Charlie Grant, Jacob Lensky (Graham Carey 79); Diarmuid O’Carroll, Paul McGowan. Subs not used: Owen Jones, Andy Traub.
KILMARNOCK: Logan, McGhee (Davidson), Wright, O’Leary, Wylde, Adams, Loy, Noble, Cox, Nolan, Flannigan.

PLAYER RATINGS:

Paul Skinner: The young Irish keeper had very little to do. Flapped at one cross in the first half, and was unlucky to see his one save of the game fall kindly for Cox at Kilmarnock's goal.
Paul Caddis: Imagine if Danny McGrain had been able to shoot and score goals! Well, here's what he might have looked like. OK, the bold Daniel Fergus is a legend but this swashbuckling right back seems able to go past players at will. Very diligent in his defending, too. Scored a great goal and could have had two or three more. Man of the match by a mile.
Dean Richardson: Becoming something of a dead-ball specialist. The left back took most of the corners and free-kicks, and strikes the ball superbly. Not quite as flamboyant as Caddis when coming forward, and could have got the ball to Lesnky more in the first half. But a very good team player who is becoming more influential by the week.
Ryan McCafferty: Quiet game for the big central defender, who was rarely tested. But will have been annoyed at the ease with which Killie carved open the Celtic defence twice in the second half. With Cuthbert and O'Dea in the Reserves, he can make this spot his own for the next few games.
Paul Hutchison: Giant English teenager looks about 35, and he lost nothing in the air. Should be more of a threat at set pieces at the other end, and must keep working on his positioning and concentration.
Charlie Grant: With so many lightweight attacking players in midfield after Ferry limped off, Charlie had his work cut out to ensure the Celts retained possession. The fact that Killie rarely got forward is testament to how effective he was. Could have scored in the first half, and showed a bit of "cuteness" to get the giant Killie player Adams sent off. But it was a fierce battle in the centre of midfield, and Charlie won that battle hands-down. Must keep working on the more technical aspects of his game, though.
Simon Ferry: A low-key performance from the talismanic midfielder, who was clearly troubled by injury, even before he limped off in the 41st minute. Seemed a yard off the pace and his passing lacked its usual crispness. Will probably have to be rested for a couple of weeks after picking up what looked like a knee injury.
Mark Millar: Started brightly on the right of midfield, where he linked up well with Caddis. Was then switched into the centre of midfield, where he worked his socks off in the engine room. Good to see such a talented attacking player knuckling down to unglamorous toil for the sake of the team. Still very slight, though, and looked out on his feet at times, so will have to continue to work hard on his physique and stamina.
Jacob Lensky: Fantastic when on the ball, but tends to fade out of the game for long spells. The big Canadian kid will have to get rid of any lingering shyness and start demanding the ball more often. Set up the first goal with some dazzling play, and can go past players at will. But his defending is of the "passive" variety and he seems to lack the aggression needed to flourish in the Scottish game. Still very young, though, and has everything else needed to be a success, such as pace, skill, height and build.
Paul McGowan: A frustrating afternoon for the wee poacher, who fired in a succession of shots from the edge of the box, all without success. Held the ball up well, though, and showed great ball control and pace. His link-up play with O'Carroll has the makings of a fine partnership.
Diarmuid O'Carroll: Seems to have got his confidence back playing with the youths and led the line superbly throughout the game. Scored two and was a willing runner into the channels. Had a good tussle with Killie's giant stopper Ryan O'Leary, who was watched by his father, ex-Celt Pierce O'Leary. All "Dermo" needs now is an extra yard of pace and a bit more confidence in his own ability.
Paul Cahillane: The slightly built 16-year-old left winger played for 47 minutes on the right of midfield and acquitted himself well. Came into his own late in the second half when he fired in a succession of dangerous crosses. Limped off two minutes from time. Could perhaps do with working harder on crossing with his right foot.
Graham Carey: Another left winger! Came on for the last 11 minutes and was unlucky not to score at least one goal. Seems very confident, with lots of pace and skill. Only 16, so will come into his own next season when he may be tried in central midfield or even up front.
Mark Staunton: The Scotland Under-17s centre-half came on at right back for the last couple of minutes but hardly saw the ball. Will feature regularly at this level next season.

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.