Celtic FC B coach, Darren O’Dea was left pleased by the mentality of his young Hoops squad, as they fought back late on to secure a point in a 2-2 draw against Cowdenbeath.

After falling two goals behind within the first five minutes at the Excelsior Stadium, it looked as though all three points would be heading back to Fife.

However, two goals in the final three minutes of regular time, saw the Celts produce a brilliant comeback and level up the scoring late on.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the match, O’Dea praised his side for sticking to their philosophy despite the early mistakes, which paid off in the end.

He said: “We asked the players to play. Some people perceive playing from the back as a risk, but it’s the opposite to us.

“So we ask the players to take the ball in areas of the pitch that if you make technical errors, then you will likely get punished.

“We made two errors early on, and when you do that in that area of the pitch, you can sometimes suffer.

“The big thing is then the mentality after that. Do you go away from what you have practised?

“Do you go away from that just because of 10 minutes of football, or do you have the mentality to then stick at it.

'In fairness to them they stuck at it. In the first half, after 15 minutes, they take the two hits that they do, and still keep doing the same things.'

“Which is a big test for them, and that is the most pleasing thing. In the second half, it just becomes about mentality of competing every minute as if it’s the most important.

“Whether it’s the start or end of the game, we don’t change. Don’t start becoming rash with it, and putting it forward too early.

“We didn’t change anything, apart from our shape later on in the game, which helped us get two men through the middle.

“The second goal is fantastic, it’s full of technical ability. So we won’t change, the players understand that.

“They understand that the errors they have made, and they will be better for it. Certainly the big plus out of it is that they can handle those sorts of setbacks.”

After falling behind early, it could have been easy for the young Celtic squad to give up hope of getting anything from the match.

However, the Bhoys stuck at it and were rewarded for their persistence late on, scoring two great goals via Mitchel Frame and Mackenzie Carse.

Although there were mistakes at different points in the game, O’Dea was most pleased to see the Hoops bounce back and continue to play their football.

“It’s pleasing because at 1-0 down you probably always think there is just a goal in it,” he said. “So it’s easier to believe.

“Whereas, I think when you are 2-0 down, especially when you are in the last minutes of the game, there is that tendency to maybe go away from what you believe in.

'You may break off more as individuals. So that is a real kind of resilience of the team and that is something that has been built up over time.'

“Anyone that watches the second goal, it is fantastic. To play at that level and that quality, that late in the game after having the setbacks they did shows real character.

“So from that point of view, we are really happy with them. The mistakes, we will correct that. It won’t be a problem.”

The young Celts’ tough start to the new campaign continues next week, when they take on a much-changed East Kilbride side.

The Bhoys will have a brief break from league action, facing Mick Kennedy’s side in the SPFL Trust Trophy, once again at the Excelsior Stadium.

O’Dea is hoping to see his players continue their development and improvement by learning from the mistakes made during the draw with Cowdenbeath this afternoon (Saturday)

“East Kilbride have obviously had a right go this year, they will be as strong as you get.

'It’s in a cup competition, but that will be a big, big test for them. It will be a step forward again.'

“So the things we have learned from today, we need to carry forward and then improve on them as we go.”

Darren O’Dea: It was pleasing to see the response to early setbacks