Twardzik Bhoys on target as Celts win 6-0

Celtic's u-19 side put in a great professional performance today to beat Brora Rangers 6-0 and win a place in the last eight of the SFA Youth Cup.

The Highland League side had a difficult afternoon as Stevie Frail's side bounced back from their only defeat of the season last week when they lost 2-1 away to Dundee United.

In truth the margin of victory should have been greater with Celtic failing to convert their first half superiority into goals with only strikes from Declan Gallagher and Jordan Lowdon separating the sides at the interval.

Two quick goals at the start of the second half from Lowdon and Filip Twardzik put the tie beyond doubt with Patrik Twardzik and substitute Johny Marsden completing the scoring in the last ten minutes.

Despite putting the game well beyond Brora, Celtic never let up with their controlled passing game troubling their opponents throughout.

Right-back Richie Towell put in a power of work up and down the right flank where he supported Patrik Twardzik with Brora offering little in an attacking sense.

"It was a pleasing win after the disappointment of losing last week," admitted Frail. "It was good to get over that and to score six goals.

"Fair play to Brora, they stuck at it, but it was obviously a step up in class for them. We were hoping for more goals but they worked hard to keep the score down.

ATTITUDE

"The big thing today was attitude and the players were spot on. They enjoyed themselves, we expect them to work hard, they did that and did well on the ball from first whistle to last.

Frail added: "To be brutally honest we were a bit disappointed to be just two up at half-time, we had chances to be further ahead if we had played a little bit better. We're satisfied but there is always room for improvement.

"Jordan (Lowdon) did well with his two goals, it's been difficult for him to break into the team because they players that are in have been doing well.

"I felt that he got better and stronger as the game went on which is pleasing for him.

"We need to have depth and players to come in, we have had a few injuries with James Forest and Callum Bagshaw out."

Without going overboard the quality of football being produced by the u-19s is very encouraging.

All of the players are comfortable on the ball, they pass and turn with ease, control the ball with their first touch and have a good grasp of the basic skills.

Developing youths with potential into first-team players is the task for everyone at Celtic.

The drop out rate for players between the ages of 17 and 21 is terrifying but the level of skill and resources currently spent on development has never been higher.

CONTRIBUTION

Only Aiden McGeady, Stephen McManus and Shaun Maloney have come through the ranks in the last decade to make a serious contribution to Celtic although others have made an impact before moving on elsewhere.

Pushing through a batch of players ready to win in Scotland and compete in the Champions League is very demanding but Frail and the coaching team won't compromise their demands and beliefs.

Frail added: "We have to win games, make no mistake about that, we don't apologise about that but we have to do that with a style.

"That's the way that Celtic teams have won in the past. We have to develop players and be winning, players have to step up into the reserves and be ready to do the job required.

"We're reasonably happy with how the season has gone so far."

Next Saturday the u-19's face St Mirren at home in the league before stopping for a winter break with another home match against Aberdeen.

CELTIC: Kennedy; Towell, G Gallagher, D Gallagher, Brennan; F Twardzik (McDonnell 69), Santonocito, Lowdon; Keatings (Ordish 59), Spence (Marsden 59), P Twardzik. SUBS: Witeman, Jones

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