Wonder goal from Keatings keeps Celtic youths on top

by Joe McHugh A wonder goal from James Keatings earned Celtic a win over Kilmarnock to keep the u-19s at the top of the table.

Stevie Frail's side dominated the match throughout but missed a catalogue of chances that almost allowed the home side to take a point.

Johny Marsden's first half header was cancelled out midway through the second half but a 25 yarder from Keatings ensured that Celtic took all three points.

Frail said: "We played well in a lot of areas but went to sleep for their goal.

"It was a good win for us, we've played a lot of really good football but sometimes you have to play against the conditions and the pitch wasn't easy.

"We did a lot of good things, we'll get them on the training ground this week and will be working on our finishing.

"It was an attacking formation that we put out today, we had two up front, two wide attacking midfielders and Grant Gallagher in midfield allowed Filip Twardzik to push further forward."

Gallagher moved into midfield and was replaced at right-back by Curtis Jones, in attack Johny Marsden partnered Greig Spence with Richie Towell on international duty with Ireland and Darren McCauley injured.

The pitch wasn't the best but was certainly playable at the Kilwinning Sports Centre with small sided girls football and a driving range surrounding the pitch. 

Celtic's attacking line up saw them take the game to the homeside with Keatings prominent on the left and Fitzharris impressing on the right flank.

In 22 minutes Celtic took the lead when Marsden powered an impressive header over the home 'keeper from Keatings inviting cross.

"We spoke in training through the week that we hadn't scored many goals like that so it was very pleasing", Frail added.

"Johny attacked the ball well and finished it well, James Keatings put in a really good delivery."

Celtic really should have been further in front before the interval but were let down by poor finishings.

Kilmarnock were barely able to mount an attack on the Celtic goal but despite having the bulk of possession and creating numerous chances Celtic went in at the break one goal ahead.

Five minutes into the second half Twardzik rattled the crossbar from a 25 yard free kick.

Spence and Marsden were creating good openings but unable to find the net with the fear of an equaliser for the home side realised in the 68th minute when a defensive misunderstanding allowed the Kilmarnock No 7 to net from 15 yards out.

Any thoughts of a repeat of last week's draw with Hamilton were dispelled four minutes later with a spectacular goal from Keatings.

After cutting in from the left flank an attempted pass to Twardzik was blocked by a Kimarnock midfielder. With space and options limited Keatings let rip with a powerful shot at goal that left the Killie 'keeper helpless as the ball flew into the net.

 "It was a special goal," Frail smiled. "James picked the ball up 25 yards out and struck it fantastically well into the top corner.

"We deserved the points, we created a lot of chances which is pleasing and we'll need to work on our finishing through the week."

After going in front Bahrudin Atajic and Patrik Twardzik replaced Marsden and Spence with Atajic having a goal disallowed for offside five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Rangers drew 0-0 at home to Dundee United leaving Celtic four points ahead of the Ibrox side ahead of next Saturday's Celtic-Rangers game, Rangers do have a game in hand.

STARTING TEAM: Giordano; Jones, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Fitzharris (Ordish 87), G Gallagher, F Twardzik, Keatings; Marsden ( P Twardzik 75), Spence ( Atajik 75): SUBS, Fairley, Feruz, Chalmers, McGregor
FINISHING TEAM: Giordano, Jones, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Ordish, G Gallagher, F Twardzik, Keatings; P Twardzik, Atajik

Youths back on top, Start of the season for Fortune

Celtic's u-19 side moved back to the top of the league with a convincing 4-1 win over St Mirren today.

Hamilton Accies had overtaken Stevie Frails side when Celtic were on SFA Cup duty last weekend but had their match with St Johnstone abandoned due to fog on Friday.

James Forest marked his return to the Celtic side with a double with Greg Spence and Johny Marsden the other scorers.

The u-19 side face Aberdeen next Saturday in their final league match before the winter break and have been drawn away to Dundee United in the quarter-finals of the SFA Youth Cup.

Meanwhile along at Fir Park the best and worst of Celtic was on display as Tony Mowbray's side clocked up their fourth win on the bounce.

Three goal of the season candidates delivered the points but sloppy defending and a missed penalty ensured that Celtic had to work extra hard to secure the points.

The most welcome aspect of the game was Marco Fortune's glorious 79th minute winner- delivered after being on the park for 50 seconds.

It was a great move from Gary Caldwell's crossfield pass finding Fortune who exchanged passes with Scott McDonald before the former Nancy striker sent an unstoppable drive past Motherwell 'keeper John Ruddy from 25 yards out.

After the recent scary performances at Falkirk and Dundee United there was an anxiety about the closing minutes but seeing the game out should give the team confidence going into a crucial run of matches.

Three wins against Hearts, Hamilton and Rangers should see the team move into the new year in style and on today's performance there was lots to be optimistic about.

Tony Mowbray resisted the temptation to highlight his inspired substitution but was clearly delighted by the impact that his record signing made.

The Celtic boss said: "It has been a tough period for him,I don't want to shout from the rooftops, but that's why he is here.

"In my opinion he is a quality football player who can score goals. I've seen the evidence of it in six months at West Brom and I am delighted for him and I hope it gives him a lift.

"As a human being it is difficult to stay top of the game and injuries affect players in lots of different ways.
"Marco was getting up and running and his injury came at a bad time for him and to spend two and half months out has been a disappointment for him."

Fortune added: "I am happy because I have been waiting for this goal for a long time. When you go to a new club you want to show what you can do but the injury came and it has been difficult.

"But I kept going and today is maybe the start of the season for me."

Marsden turns his back on Premiership for hoops dream

Christmas has come early for Celtic striker Johny Marsden with two goals in a week.

The 18-year-old from Wigan has spent most of the season on the sidelines with injury but has notched back to back goals against Brora Rangers and St Mirren.

Marsden turned his back on half a dozen Premiership clubs in his own backyard to join the hoops to the delight of the Celtic-mad elements in his own family.

"Half of my family are Celtic fans and they are one of the biggest clubs in the world," he smiled about his choice of club.

"I thought that I'd get a better chance here than I'd get at an English club where they just go out and buy top class strikers for £25m or whatever.

"I've settled in quickly at Celtic although it's obviously difficult when you leave home as a 16-year-old but that's what you need to do to be a footballer.

"Celtic was always in my thoughts when I was growing up, my family is all English but there might be some Scottish and Irish relatives far back and that's why they've supported Celtic.

"I'm a Liverpool fan and remember not being too pleased when Celtic beat Liverpool in the UEFA Cup but they did well in that tournament."

Marsden is one of a number of players from outwith the traditional Celtic heartlands making their way through the club Academy.

Josh Thompson and Matty Hughes have also been recruited from the North-West of England with the Twardzik's, Filip and Patrik, picked up from Germany.

Various players are currently being assessed by the Academy coaching staff with the Celtic scouting network covering Europe extensively.

Recruiting young talent from England should be a difficult task with parents being offered massive amounts of money and even houses or jobs for getting their kids to sign up.

Against that the lack of opportunities for English players could give Celtic a chance to offer players the prospect of a top level career.

Nothing is left to chance within the Celtic Academy with every aspect of the players development monitored in the hope of producing first team candidates.

Marsden added: "Being at Celtic has been brilliant for me, with full time training I'm learning every day. The players can see themselves improving as the coaches Stevie (Frail) and Tommy (McIntyre) keep on pushing us.

"It's great to get back involved playing and scoring goals, that's what strikers are judged on and hopefully there will be lots more goals for me to enjoy this season.

"Last season I was playing for the u-17's and this season is only just starting for me. Scoring gives strikers confidence, when I'm scoring I'm happy with my game and looking to score in the next match."

Celtic 4-1 St Mirren, youths back on top of the league

Liverpool Echo article on Marsden's signing