young celts outclass rangers to lift glasgow cup

David Friel
CELTIC’S Under-18 side showed character and strength in abundance to overcome adversity and sweep past rivals Rangers to win the Glasgow Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory.

The Hoops’ preparations were thrown into disarray before a ball was even kicked when the football authorities informed Celtic that three foreign players, whom the club were led to believe would be allowed to play, were banned from taking to the field.

Having only returned from the EuroFoot Tournament in Belgium this week, and with a trip to Villarreal coming this weekend, this unexpected setback meant that Celtic were stretched to the limit.

However, John McLaughlan’s outstanding group of young guns came out fighting and left Rangers shell-shocked with three quickfire goals in the opening period through James Keatings, Richie Towell and James Forrest.

In the second half, Celtic played with composure, style and discipline, and thoroughly deserved their win against a Rangers youth team that has been lauded as one of the best the club has ever produced.

All in, it was a magnificent team effort from a talented young Celtic side and showed that club as a whole is leading the way at every level of Scottish football.

It was a first half of drama and excitement as Celtic showed a ruthless streak to take command of this showpiece clash.

Yet, it was Rangers who started brightest and they took the lead in 13 minutes when Kyle Hutton latched on to a through ball and sent a left-foot strike past Connor Fairley from 20 yards.

Celtic coach McLaughlan was looking for a response and he got it as the Hoops responded with three goals in seven incredible minutes.

Keatings grabbed the equaliser in 15 minutes. Meeting Luca Santonocito’s free-kick, the striker planted his header beyond Grant Adam to pull Celtic level.

That gave the young Celts a massive boost and Towell put them ahead 120 seconds later. Forrest beat Adam to a long ball and lobbed an attempt towards goal. The tenacious Irish midfielder followed up well and forced the ball over the line.

Rangers were stunned but Celtic were on fire and Forrest added a third in 22 minutes. A loose ball broke to him in the box and he lashed his finish into the bottom corner from 14 yards.

The Ibrox men were then reduced to 10 men when Jamie Ness saw red for a late challenge on Italian midfielder Santonocito. The Rangers midfielder had already been booked and referee Frank Connor had no option but to send him packing.

Bunting threatened with a header as the second half started, while Hutton also glanced an effort wide of the upright at the other end.

Forrest, gliding in from the right, fired a shot wide of target in 60 minutes and Santonocito bent a free-kick inches past a post as Celtic looked to add to their lead. Keatings was also unlucky with a low shot as Celtic cruised through the closing stages.

Glasgow Cup Final
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

CELTIC…3
(Keatings 13, Towell 17, Forrest 22)
RANGERS…1
(Hutton 13)

CELTIC (4-3-3) Fairley; Toshney, Hughes, D.Gallacher, G.Gallacher; Towell, Cochrane, Santonocito; Forrest (Fitzharris 87), Bunting, Keatings
Subs: Pavlov, Fitzharris, McDonnell; Lowdon, Thomson, Bonner

RANGERS (4-4-2) Adam; Forbes, Cole, Wilson, Scott (McAusland 80), Ness, Campbell (Hemmings 65), Dick (Wright 46), Hutton, Naismith, Wylde
Subs: McGeough, Weir

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: James Forrest