reserves in impressive triumph over rangers

Gregor Kyle
CELTIC'S reserve side showed their class and maintained their 100 per cent league record, coming back from a goal behind to beat Rangers 3-1 in the first derby of the season.

The Hoops had to stand up to some robust challenges from their city rivals in this match and lost two players through injury in the opening period.

But after conceding a goal right on the stroke of half-time they turned on the style in the second period, with Paul McGowan grabbing a double and Ben Hutchinson chipping the keeper late on to round off a determined and disciplined display.

Celtic’s plans were disrupted in the first minute when Michael McGlinchey fell under the weight of a challenge and was forced to limp off the field with what looked to be a painful ankle injury.

The midfielder was still making his way round trackside when Rangers carved out the opening chances of the match through Rory Loy and Aaron Niguez, with Koki Mizuno still waiting to take the field as McGlinchey's replacement.

That first attempt was driven in at close range and saved at his near post by Scott Fox and the second was a dipping set piece from Rangers’ Spanish winger which rattled off the crossbar and was hooked away by Darren O’Dea.

The pace of play eventually dipped, although the intensity of the challenges did not and Andrew Shinnie picked up the first yellow card of the game for a crude lunge on Paddy McCourt in the 12th minute.

Gradually, Celtic began to find their rhythm, with Paul McGowan desperately unlucky to have not given his side the lead with the cheekiest of attempts on goal after 20 minutes.

With Rangers defender William McLachlan rushing in on his right, the little striker’s first touch on the edge of the penalty box carried the ball past the defender, with his second a lovely little chip which bounced off the crossbar.

It seemed as though this chance signalled the start of a promising spell for Celtic until they suffered another set-back, with Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe the next man to go off injured.

Then, with the half-time whistle just seconds away, Rangers again threatened, with Loy firing off a warning when he sent his glancing header wide, before Ross Harvey stole in at the back post to pinch the opener.

All it took was the slightest lapse in concentration at a Chris Burke corner to allow the Rangers centre-back to make his run and rise above Richie Towell and Scott Fox to power home his header.

Having regrouped during the interval, Celtic started the second half positively, with Ben Hutchinson squeezed out as he attempted to get on the end of a Koki Mizuno cross.

Eight minutes later the Celtic striker brushed aside two of his markers and fired in a low drive from 20 yards out which Graeme Smith collected at the second attempt and as Rangers attempted to contain him, Ross Harvey was lucky to escape with a warning as he slid in recklessly.

Then came the next thumping challenge, right on the hour mark, with John Fleck booked for a late tackle which sent Mizuno flying.

Even by this stage in the match, Celtic had yet to really get into their full stride, although there were little flashes of invention and promise and Paul McGowan was left cursing himself after missing the gilt-edged chance of the game.

The striker was put through one-on-one with the keeper by the cleverest of passes in behind the Rangers back four by McCourt, but failed to finish and moments later, Hutchinson again came close, sending a header over.

Celtic stuck to the task, though, and when Mizuno showed McLachlan a clean pair of heels at the byline and lifted in a cross in the 66th minute, McGowan snapped up the opportunity, bulleting his header past Smith from the six yards out.

Having been limited to just one attempt on goal in this half, a 25-yarder from Fleck which went high and wide, Rangers’ frustration was growing, with substitute Charlie Adam tangling with the 17-year-old Towell after diving in from the back and Niguez booked for persistent fouling.

In the face of this determined aggression, Celtic stuck to their game plan and then, with just over 10 minutes remaining, they carved open the Rangers back four with a superb passing move.

Having patiently kept possession, the ball was worked to McCourt, who threaded in a pass to Cawley on the edge of the penalty box. The little midfielder then took a touch which knocked Harvey off balance, before rolling the lightest of passes in to the feet of McGowan, who edged in front of Jordan McMillan and finished first time.

It was a great goal, beautifully worked in a style that is encouraged in McStay’s reserve side, although they did have to show their mettle as they stood up to the challenges and a late flurry from Rangers, which saw Adam collect a yellow card.

But there was still one great finish left in the game and when the ball was lifted down the right channel for Hutchinson, the striker looked up from the corner of the box and saw Smith rushing out to meet him.

Turning to meet the ball, the striker lifted it first time on the volley over the head of the Rangers keeper and in under the crossbar.

It was no less than Celtic deserved in the end, for their flair and imagination, with the result serving as a confidence booster for this young reserve squad, while handing them an early advantage as they go for eight-in-a-row.

Scottish Reserve League
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC… 3
(McGowan 66, 78, Hutchinson 84)

RANGERS… 1
(Harvey 45)

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren O’Dea

CELTIC (4-4-2) Fox; Doumbe (Towell 28), O’Dea, Lafferty, Conroy; Cawley, Millar, McGlinchey (Mizuno 5), McCourt; McGowan, Hutchinson.
Subs: Marshall, Tidser, Monti, Graham.

RANGERS (4-4-2) Smith; Little, Harvey, McMillan, McLachlan; Burke, Shinnie (Bagci 85), Edu (Adam 46), Niguez (Stirling 75); Fleck, Loy.
Subs: Perry.