Champion youth side make it eight-in-a-row

A second half goal from Callum McGregor gave Celtic's youth side a 1-0 win over Aberdeen today as Stevie Frail's side made it eight wins in a row going into Wednesday's SFA Youth Cup Final with Rangers at Hampden.

McGregor was one of five changes to the team with Richie Towell, James Forrest, James Keatings, Callum Bagshaw and Darren McCauley  rested ahead of the Hampden clash.

Into the side came Stephen O'Donnell replacing Towell at right back, McGregor, Filip Twardzik and Grant Gallagher formed a new look midfield with Michael Ordish playing wide in place of Forrest.

With the league secured after Rangers defeat to Dundee United yesterday and so many changes there was an understandable edge missing to the teams play but no one could deny that Celtic are worthy champions.

"I'm really pleased for everyone, to win a championship is fantastic," Tommy McIntyre, head of the Celtic Academy admitted.

"About eight or nine of the players have moved up to the development squad with the gaffer and Danny McGrain, they have been fantastic with us.

"Our players have worked with first team players and we see the difference when they come back to join us, their attitude has been great.

"We've been the best team in the league, we've been resilient, strong and shown a lot of character which is needed at a big club like Celtic.

"We had two turning points, winning away at Motherwell and also at Rangers.

"At Motherwell we had a lot of young players who came out with a win which wasn't pretty to watch.

"After that they responded well against Rangers, any Celtic-Rangers game will be hard- getting a win at Murray Park changed things.

"We've benefitted from having a fairly settled side especially at the back and have only lost two goals in our last eight games, that's a great record at any level.

"Everyone looks at success that comes with scoring goals and winning games but keeping clean sheets is just as important if you are to win things.

The first half was a bit of a non-event as far as Celtic were concerned despite the constant 'promptings' of Matty Hughes and Declan Gallagher at the back.

After the break Celtic noticably stepped up the pace with Greig Spence dropping deeper to link up with the midfield and Sean Fitzharris and Ordish pushing in more central to give more attacking options.

Midway through the second half Celtic took the lead with an impressive finish from 16-year-old McGregor.

Fitzharris created the opening cutting in from the right flank before laying the ball off to McGregor whose well drilled low shot across the Dons keeper found the net from 18 yards out.

"Callum has been doing exceptionally well at u-17 level," McIntyre added. "He still has to develop, he's still a young kid and a bit slight.

"He's a clever player, an intelligent player and that will stand him in good stead. He was in today on merit, he's scored an unbelievable number of goals and is one for the future.

"He's played with the 19s before because we believe in him."

CELTIC: Giordano; O'Donnell, Hughes, D Gallagher (Jones 74), Lowden; McGregor, G Gallagher (Bagshaw 76), F Twardzik; Ordish, Spence (Forrest 76), Fitzharris

SUBS: Kennedy, Towell,McCauley, Keatings.