pressley returns in reserve derby draw

David Friel
STEVEN PRESSLEY made a welcome return to action as Celtic and Rangers drew 2-2 in the first derby of the reserve season.

The experienced defender, who had a back operation at the start of the season, played 90 minutes in his first appearance since pre-season and showed no ill effects.

Pressley is now expected to step up his comeback as he targets a first-team return in the coming weeks.

An early Chris Smith own goal put Celtic ahead in the Broadwood match, with Bobo Balde adding a second soon after. Steven Lennon pulled a goal back and Jordan McMillan made it 2-2 before the break.

Celtic and Rangers had half-chances to grab a winner, but had to be content with a point.

Despite having CIS Cup ties this week, both sides fielded strong sides for the match. Pressley, Balde, Derek Riordan and Darren O’Dea all played for Celtic, while Thomas Buffel, Alan Gow and Steven Naismith featured for Rangers.

Celtic took just three minutes to race ahead. Ryan Conroy was fouled on the left wing and Derek Riordan’s vicious, swerving free-kick was knocked past his goalkeeper by Rangers defender Chris Smith.

A few minutes later, Diarmuid O’Carroll got a flick to another Riordan free-kick, but this time Callum Reidford gathered easily.

In 13 minutes, it was 2-0 and again Riordan was the architect. McGlinchey challenged Reidford for his corner and, as the ball spun in the air, Balde forced it over the line.

Yet, within 60 seconds Rangers had pulled a goal back. Lennon was sent clear on the left corner on the box, and he finished clinically to bring his side back into the game.

O’Dea was booked for a challenge on Naismith as both teams continued to press. And it was Rangers who grabbed a leveller in 32 minutes.

Naismith did the spadework on the right wing and sent over a deep cross for McMillan, who powered a header past Mark Brown and into the top corner to leave the scores level at the break.

Former Kilmarnock player Naismith was booked at the start of the second period as both sides searched for a goal that would put them ahead. However, chances were few and far between.

Balde almost connected with Ryan Conroy’s free-kick, while the Guinean was then punished for a barge on Naismith at the other end. From the resultant free-kick, Gow’s effort never troubled Brown.

Naismith blasted over from long range, while Riordan did the same for Celtic as the game reached the 60-minute mark with the two defences on top.

Riordan, profiting from Conroy’s delicate chip, then almost grabbed a spectacular winner – his fierce volley flying inches past the post in 74 minutes. That proved to be Celtic’s last chance as the game finished all-square.

Scottish Premier Reserve League
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

RANGERS…2
(Lennon 14, McMillan 32)
CELTIC…2
(Smith og 3, Balde 13)

RANGERS (4-4-2) Reidford; Perry, Broadfoot, Smith, McMillan; Furman, Buffel (Fleck 77), Gow, Emslie; Naismith, Lennon (Craig 88)
Subs not used: Vaiculis, Van Den Boeck, Harvey, Craig

CELTIC (4-4-2) Brown; Cuthbert, Balde, Pressley, O’Dea; Millar (Santonocito 89), Bjarnason, McGlinchey, Conroy; O’Carroll, Riordan
Subs not used: McGovern, Gaughan, Pavlov, Cochrane, Towell, Ross

WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Teddy Bjarnason