Young Celts retain Glasgow Cup at Hampden

City of Glasgow Cup final
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tuesday, April 28, 2015

CELTIC…2
(Kerr 74, Hill 76)

RANGERS…0

QUICK-FIRE goals from Josh Kerr and Mark Hill saw Celtic Under-17s impressively put their Rangers counterparts to the sword at Hampden and retain the Glasgow Cup.

The young Hoops had dominated the final at Hampden but they had to wait until the 74th minute to make the breakthrough when defender Josh Kerr stabbed home following Regan Hendrys corner.

Mark Hill swiftly doubled their tally as his curling free-kick from the left eluded everyone in the box and found its way into the net.

And Tommy McIntyres side comfortably saw out the closing stages to seal a stylish victory and get their hands on the silverware for the second year running.

Only three players who featured in last years success in the showpiece made the starting XI for McIntyres side Calvin Miller, Hendry and Hill underlining the youthful composition of the team.

And a frenetic start to the match it was Miller who made the first purposeful run forward for the Bhoys in the fifth minute, his inviting low delivery not finding any takers at the far post.

Aiden Wilson headed wide at the other end for the Ibrox side as both teams attempted take the initiative at the National Stadium.

After a fluent, fast breakaway instigated by Theo Archibald down the left, Hendry had a penalty claim waved away when his cross appeared to strike the arm of Kyle Bradley.

Right-back Anthony Ralston had been involved in that forward foray but he showed his defensive qualities at the other end moments later, making an important challenge on Sam Jamieson as he attempted to find room in the box to pull the trigger.

The young Hoops were now beginning to get a grip on the game, though, and a lovely ball over the top from Daniel Church then saw Hill reach the byline, but his cutback was intercepted.

Operating on the right wing, Miller was looking like a man on a mission, and he fired over from 20 yards after a incisive burst through the middle.

In the 20th minute, the Bhoys fashioned the best chance of the match so far as Rory Currie slipped a pass through for Regan Hendry but the midfielder was unable to find a way past goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie.

Archibald drilled a shot wide from an acute angle and Miller headed wide as McIntyres young guns continued to build momentum.

Miller was providing constant consternation to the Rangers rearguard cutting in from the right flank onto his favoured left-foot and another penetrative run took him to the edge of the area, with his final effort whistling inches beyond the far post.

The 17-year-old then turned provider, crossing to the back post for Hendry, whose header drifted wide.

Celtic almost found a way through from an unusual source as centre half Dan Higgins embarked on a rampaging run forward, shrugging off several challenges before Wilson managed to halt his progress with a last-ditch tackle.

Ross Lyon shot wide from distance for Rangers, before the youths resumed the offensive, and only some desperate defending from Wilson and then Ross McCrorie denied Currie in the box, before Hendry shot wide.

Hill also blasted over from long-range as the Bhoys finished the half on top but with no goal to reflect their dominance.

And they simply continued from where they left off after the interval. Just 17 seconds after the restart, Miller picked out Currie in the middle. The strikers shot was blocked by Wilson and Archibald volleyed the rebound over.

A slip from Higgins presented Jamie Brandon with an opportunity to drive into the box at the other end. He supplied Josh Jeffries, whose curling effort was easily held by Ross Doohan.

But the shot-stopper had to show sharp reflexes in the 53rd minute to thwart Sam Jamieson after the Rangers forward had won a tussle with Higgins and unleashed a rasping drive from a tight angle.

Hill responded for Celtic, fastening onto Ralstons long pass and bringing out save from McCrorie, before Higgins had an attempt from 25 yards that flew over.

Just beyond the hour mark, Jack Aitchison entered the fray in place of the hardworking Currie as McIntyre made his first change.

Archibald was becoming more prominent down the left and the youngster forced McCrorie into action again with an angled shot, which the keeper did well to hold.

Lyon sent a free-kick over for Billy Kirkwoods side, before Doohan made a superb stop at his near post from Michael Johnstone.

However, a moment of magic from Miller put the young Hoops back on the front foot, the winger winning possession deep in his own half and bursting beyond a clutch of defenders before setting up Archibald. His cutback ricocheted around the box and eventually dropped for Hendry, whose shot was deflected wide.

From the resultant corner, the Bhoys made the breakthrough. Hendrys delivery was missed by McCrorie and fell invitingly for Kerr and he applied the finish.

Less than two minutes later, they doubled the advantage. After Celtic had been awarded a free-kick on the left touchline, Hill swung a wicked ball into the box and it evaded everyone, including McCrorie and ended up in the net.

Throwing men forward, the Ibrox side desperately looked for a way back into the contest and Jamieson almost gave them hope but his crisply-struck shot was brilliantly saved by Doohan.

Miller nearly capped off an excellent individual display as the clock ticked down, racing onto Hills pass but he was thwarted by McCrorie.

And the sound of the final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the players, management team and backroom staff as they celebrated with the famous old trophy.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Doohan; Ralston, Kerr, Higgins, Church; Miller, McKenna, Hill, Archibald (Murray 89); Hendry, Currie (Aitchison 63)
Not Used: McAdam, Bell, Quinn, Johnstone, Bowers