reserves shine in derby win

Gregor Kyle
THE FEELGOOD factor continued at Celtic Park today after yesterday’s SPL title victory, with Willie McStay’s Reserve League champions earning a 1-0 win in the final game of the season.

This season’s championship had already been wrapped up in double-time by the reserves, but with this game taking place on the big stage at Celtic Park the players were eager to impress.

Gordon Strachan was among a decent crowd of expectant supporters, as were several first team stars including John Kennedy, Stephen McManus, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Thomas Gravesen and this young Celtic side responded with a commanding display, with a Mark Millar penalty sealing the victory.

Celtic enjoyed the better of the opening stages in this match, clearly showing the confidence that has grown during the course of this title-winning campaign and the run of wins which saw them go undefeated throughout the first half of the season.

The first chance fell for Kjartan Finnbogason in seven minutes, with the Icelandic targetman’s looping header crashing back off the crossbar after being found by an excellent cross from the left by Ryan Conroy.

Then, within the space of two minutes, Teddy Bjarnason came close to finding Mark Millar at the back post when he was put through by a cleverly disguised pass from Craig Beattie, who then tested the goalkeeper with a rasping effort from 25 yards.

Despite their experience and the inclusion of first team players Libor Sionko and Karl Svensson, Rangers’ frustration was evident at this point, with Ross Harvey booked for a dangerous challenge on Beattie and Makhtar N’Diaye also shown a yellow card for a cynical foul on Nicky Riley.

With Celtic continuing to dictate the pace of play, Millar was the next player to come close, thundering in a shot from the edge of the penalty box which cannoned back off Rangers’ captain Svensson.

The visitors had meanwhile been completely restricted in their opportunities and a cut-back from the impressive Paul Caddis in the lead-up to half time was only marginally cut out by full-back Alan Lowing and this trend continued after the restart with Celtic busy from the outset.

But with Rangers’ Under-19 coach and stand-in reserve boss, Billy Kirkwood having had time to rally his troops during the interval, they began to play with more confidence, with Craig McShea stinging the palms of Michael McGovern with what was their first shot on target in the 53rd minute.

Some of Celtic’s early impetus had actually faded at this point, although McStay’s men were covering comfortably at the back, keeping the game tight in midfield and Finnbogason was the next to see an effort blocked by a last-ditch challenge by Svensson, shortly after the hour mark.

Then, with 70 minutes on the clock Celtic got the break their efforts deserved, with Paul Caddis winning a penalty after he was caught in the midst of a beautiful turn inside the box which forced a rash challenge from the covering defender.

There could be few doubts about the award, with the full-back having left his man for dead and central midfielder Mark Millar showed great composure as he stepped up and powered the ball straight down the middle and past the keeper.

After this goal Celtic again began to surge forward, with Ryan Conroy curling a set piece over the bar and Craig Beattie rattling the woodwork with a spectacular effort of his own.

It looked like it would only be a matter of time before the Reserve League champs scored a merited second, although Sionko squandered a rare chance to level when he failed to keep a header down in front of goal.

This chance sparked a belated fight-back from the Ibrox side, but Celtic enjoyed a late resurgence, with Stephen Stirling sent off following a late, rash challenge, which certainly merited the second yellow.

It was a good afternoon’s work for the reserves following the weekend’s celebrations and with the manager watching, they will hope that they have forced their way into his considerations for the first team’s remaining four matches.