Youths book final date with Rangers

Stevie Frail was delighted to see his Celtic side beat Livingston and book a final place against Rangers in the SFA Youth Cup.

Greig Spence's 10th minute goal was the difference between the two teams with Livi pushing Celtic all the way in a bid to take the match into extra-time.

Semi-finals are often described as 'tense, nervous affairs' with tonight's game matching that description perfectly.

The victory sets the season up nicely with Celtic and Rangers both knowing that winning their remaining matches will guarantee a league and cup double.

Although falling some way short of their best form Frail was pleased with the determination and discipline that his players showed to steer their way into the final.

He said: "We got to a cup final, all the pressure and expectations were on us. Players have their own expectations, their families were there to watch the game and that adds extra pressure.

"Players need to know that if they are going to make it at Celtic that there is expectations on them every single game of their career.

"They have to stand up and take it when teams are coming at them, everyone wants to beat Celtic."

Spence got Celtic off to the perfect start when he bundled the ball into the net from close range after Matty Hughes had headed a Sean Fitzharris corner back across goal.

Paul Slane, a January signing from Motherwell, made his first appearance of the season for the u-19 side and looked impressive with his turn of pace and close control.

Despite having the bulk of possession chances were few and far between with only a couple of useful looking crosses from the wings to test the Livingston defence.

At times Celtic got close to hitting form but the final delivery wasn't quite upto scratch although Sean Fitzharris had two decent second half penalty claims ignored by the referee.

"There was lots to be pleased about from the performance but equally there is a lot that we need to work at," Frail added.

"We did a lot of things well from middle to front but the final ball and decision making was a bit of a let down, however ultimately we're really pleased to be in the final.

"I think that Paul Slane became more influential as the game developed, he showed a lot in the second half.

"We swapped him with Sean Fitzharris to get them having a go at the opposite full-backs. This was the first time that Paul has worked with most of the players.

"He can be pleased with his performance, we're pleased with his performance, everything that he brought to the game enhanced what we have."
 CELTIC: Giordano; Towell, Hughes, D. Gallagher, Lowdon; Bagshaw, G Gallagher, Keatings; Fitzharris, Spence (F. Twardzik 83), Slane (McGregor 90)

Livingston challenge for Celtic youths

Celtic have been drawn to play Livingston at home in the semi-finals of the SFA Youth Cup.

The tie is scheduled to be played on Sunday March 28 with the other semi-final to be contested between the winners of the Airdrie-St Mirren tie and Rangers.

Livingston produced the shock of the round in the quarter-finals when they won 1-0 away to holders Hibs.

The draw opens up the possibility of three Celtic-Rangers matches between now and the end of the season with the teams still to play each other in the u-19 league, the first derby match of the season has been scheduled for Saturday March 6 and will be played at Lennoxtown or Barrafield.

Celtic are currently sitting at the top of the u-19 league and play Hamilton Accies at Lennoxtown on Saturday, kick-off 12noon.

Stevie Frail's side haven't played in the league since December 12 when they beat St Mirren 4-1.

Elsewhere right-winger Nicky Riley, a member of the 2006 u-19 double winning squad, has joined Hamilton until the end of the season, whist Cillian Sheridan scored his first St Johnstone goals with a double in the 5-1 win over Hibs.
Evening Herald Celtic latest

Celtic u-19s face Tannadice cup test

Celtic's u-19 side face their toughest test of the season on Sunday (kick-off 2pm) when they face Dundee United at Tannadice in the SFA Youth Cup.

Stevie Frail's side haven't played a competitive match in two months and have lost just once this season in the league- away to United in October.

The Tannadice side moved into joint top place in the u-19 league with a 3-2 win over Hamilton Accies and will be confident of going through on home soil.

Frail's side had to make do with a friendly against Dunfermline after their league match at Motherwell was postponed but the hoops coach is confident that his side can progress.

He said: “It's a bit unfortunate that our first game back is a cup match but we'll just get on with it and are looking forward to the match.

“We'll have a good look at the players and have an extra day to prepare with the game on Sunday.

“The players have trained hard, we had two games down south and had a bounce game against Dunfermline, hopefully that will be enough.

“Everyone is dying to get involved and play again, hopefully they can take us into the semi-finals.

“There's nothing that we can do now about the league match against Dundee United.

“We were on top for a long time then lost it in the last five minutes. We are aware of what Dundee United can do, we watched them beat Hamilton 4-2 earlier this week so we know their strengths.”

Any non-loved up Celtic fans in the Tayside area looking for some non-romantic action on Sunday could do worse than take a look at James Forrest, the Twardzik brothers, Greg Spence, Richie Towell and the other young Celts.

Anyone between East Kilbride and Tannadice looking to go to the match can contact myself.

Youths face Motherwell on Saturday

Celtic's table-topping under-19 side return to action on Saturday with an away match against Motherwell at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium.

The 11 o'clock kick off will allow anyone going along to the match the chance to watch most of the first team match at Hamilton which kicks-off at 12.30.

Celtic start the second half of the season two points clear of Hamilton and enjoyed a 4-1 win over the Fir Park side earlier in the season.

It's six weeks since the u-19's last outing but the break has been put to good use by Stevie Frail and his coaching team.

Frail explained: "Since the snow cleared we've been able to have two weeks full training and the boys are looking sharp.

"We've managed to get a few players back from injury and we're looking forward to playing again.

"Ideally you want to have a good balance between training and playing, we've spent a lot of time on the training ground and now we've got the chance to get back into action.

"We managed to get a couple of games in down south and they went well, now we're looking to pick up where we left off."

In the last eight of the SFA Youth Cup Celtic travel to Tannadice to meet Dundee United on February 14 with the kick-off time still to be confirmed.

SPL u-19 table