reserves in seventh heaven with title win

David Friel
CELTIC reserves produced a polished display at a sun-bathed Paradise to beat Hibernian 4-0 and wrap up a record seventh consecutive league title.

Willie McStay’s side were never in any real danger in an entertaining contest at Celtic Park as they sealed the win to finally kill off the title bid of rivals St Mirren.

Darren O’Dea opened the scoring with a deft finish and Ryan Conroy added a second before the break. Evander Sno chipped in with a stunning third and Chris Killen’s fine header rounded off the scoring.

Captain Scott Cuthbert held the trophy aloft at the end of the game as the Hoops second-string were deservedly crowned champions once again.

Celtic fielded a host of first-team squad members for this match and it was Joe Doumbe, still returning from injury, who had the first chance of the afternoon.

Mark Millar played a one-two with Paul McGowan and drove into the Hibs box before shifting the ball to Doumbe. The full-back let fly from 10 yards, only for the shot to be blocked.

Celtic made most of the early running and Sno had a low shot saved by David Grof in seven minutes. Killen then almost profited from fine Paul Caddis wing-play.

Paul McGowan, outstanding for the reserves all season, burst to life in 17 minutes as he waltzed into the box, before falling under Sean Welsh’s challenge. Referee Pat Rafferty waved the penalty claims and then booked McGowan for dissent.

Celtic were being patient in their approach and a Killen pass sent Caddis free on the right. The full-back sent over a first-time cross for McGowan and Darren McCormack had to lunge in to prevent a certain goal.

Yet, it was only delaying the breakthrough as Celtic took the lead in 22 minutes. Sno was fouled and Koki Mizuno’s free-kick was guided past Grof by O’Dea. It was the Irish defender’s third goal in two games.

Doumbe, playing at left-back, rattled a shot into the side-netting as Celtic maintained the pressure on Hibs. McGowan also saw a point-blank effort saved by Grof after superb play from Killen and Mark Millar.

New Zealander Killen was causing problems for the Hibs defence and had another effort deflected over the bar. From the resultant corner, it was 2-0.

Mizuno again took the set-piece responsibility with an inswinging corner that found Killen completely unmarked. Grof saved his header, but Conroy was on hand to score from three yards.

McGowan was denied by a saving tackle from Paul Hanlon as Celtic pressed for more goals. Yet, Hibs still carried a threat and David Wotherspoon steered a shot inches wide on the stroke of half-time.

Killen, running on to a Sno pass, fired past the post as Celtic started the second period in total control. Grof then fumbled a Caddis cross and had to race back to clear off the line and spare his blushes.

In 54 minutes, Celtic added a third. Mizuno took a short free-kick to Sno and the Dutch midfielder lashed a daisy-cutter beyond the helpless Grof.

With the game, and title, now wrapped up, Celtic kept possession well and added a magnificent fourth goal in 70 minutes.

Sno picked out Mizuno infield and he instantly released McGowan. The striker raced into the box and clipped a perfect cross to Killen – who guided a header into the top corner.

Cillian Sheridan and Michael McGlinchey came on for Sno and Killen as Celtic cruised through the closing stages. Paul Cahillane was also given a run-out as the final whistle signalled the end of another successful reserve campaign.

Scottish Premier Reserve League
Monday, May 12, 2008
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…4
(O’Dea 22, Conroy 34, Sno 54, Killen 70
HIBERNIAN…0

CELTIC (4-4-2) McGovern; Caddis, Cuthbert, O’Dea, Doumbe (Cahillane 82); Mizuno, Sno (McGlinchey 73), Millar, Conroy; McGowan, Killen (Sheridan 73)
Subs not used: Fox, Lafferty, Cawley, Monti

HIBERNIAN (4-4-2) Grof; Welsh, McCormack, Zarabi, Hanlon; Wotherspoon, Cropley (Johnstone 82) , Currie, Stevenson; Byrne, Donaldson
Subs not used: Flynn, Booth, Kelly, Deane, Russell

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Evander Sno