Youths on form as they beat Hamilton 4-0

Filip Twardzik was the star of the show as Celtic's u-19 side beat Hamilton Accies 4-0 today.

It was the second week running that the 19's had scored four goals with confidence growing throughout the team as they continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Four wins have come either side of four consecutive draws but there was quality and purpose about the side today with a number of players vying with Twardzik for star billing.

The 16-year-old from the Czech Republic scored the final goal of the afternoon in the 81st minute but almost notched a memorable strike 6 minutes earlier when his shot from the halfway line was inches away from embarrassing the Hamilton keeper.

Twardzik had to wait until the 80th minute to get his reward when he found the net showing the desire that managers demand of modern midfielders.

Filip started the move, passing to his brother Patrik but as he took a heavy challenge from a Hamilton defender the ball broke to Michael Ordish whose low cross into the penalty box was met by Filip who bundled the ball into the net ahead of a Hamilton defender.

SIGNIFICANT

There were other significant contributions from throughout the team with the midfielders and forwards obviously getting the chance to impress most.

James Forrest and James Keatings regularly swapped wings in support of Greig Spence while Twardzik, Calum Bagshaw and Luca Santonocito controlled and dictated the flow of the game from midfield.

Coach Stevie Frail had plenty to be pleased about after the match and is looking for his side to maintain the standards that they have set over the last two games.

He said: "For big chunks of the game last week they were excellent and it was the same again this week. We're trying to play in the attacking style, the way that Celtic sides are encouraged to play, by getting the ball down and passing it around.

"There's more to football though and the back four have been excellent over the last two games. They've been switched on at all times.

“At 3-0 I was shouting at the players that we weren't settling for that. We need that standard to be reached and maintained, we won't accept it if they don't reach those levels.

TEMPO

“They have been given us the right tempo in training, they have taken that into games. The players are looking to win this league, that's part of their education and development.

"If they are to play for the Celtic first team, which is the purpose of this team, they need to make sure that they work hard off the ball as well as on it."

Celtic started the game sharply and took the lead in the 10th minute when a quick free kick from Richie Towell to Forrest ended with a low cross into the six yard box with Spence getting in front of Twardzik to net from close range.

Four minutes later Celtic doubled their lead when Bagshaw sent a glancing header from a Santonocito free kick looping over the keeper into the net.

Hamilton had their chances but couldn't match Celtic's ruthless touch in front of goal with Keatings adding a third in the 29th minute with a low shot from 18 yards out after great work from Bagshaw to create the opening.

IMPRESSED

Frail and Tommy McIntyre spent the second half urging their side to move forward and although they failed to match the heights of their first half performance there was still plenty to be impressed with.

A lot of work is clearly being put in to develop players into first team material with the current crop of players noticeably stronger than previous sides.

Frail explained: "We're enjoying the training, the players are working hard and after these two results they'll be itching to get back in to training again on Monday.

"We work them on the ball in the morning then in the afternoon they are on a weights programme to strengthen and develop them. Ian Coll our sports scientist has put together a programme for the players to work to

"On a Friday they are feeling it in their legs but they know that it's helping them on a Saturday when they are playing and we're seeing the results of everyone's efforts.

CELTIC Giordano; Towell, G.Gallacher, D.Gallacher, Brennan; F.Twardzik, Santonocito, Bagshaw (Lowdon 81); Forrest, Spence (Ordish 76), Keatings (P.Twardzik 80)

SUBS not used: Kennedy, Gormley, Cochrane, Young

GOALS Spence 10, Bagshaw 14, Keatings 29, Twardzik 80