Tommy McIntyre's twin development aims

Tommy McIntyre believes that player development and winning honours go hand in hand at Celtic.

With his title of Head of Professional Academy the former Hibs and Aberdeen defender co-ordinates the Celtic's u-17 and u-19 sides coached by Miodrag Krivokapic and Stevie Frail.

Producing first team players is the target but success is also expected with the resourses that are committed into player development.

Tomorrow night at Hampden Celtic's u-19 side are looking to add the SFA Youth Cup to the SPL title that they won at the weekend with snap judgements likely to be made on a season's work.

Handling pressure and the demands of the big occassion are an essential element in player development with the game full of training ground wonderkids that couldn't translate their skills into a competitive environment.

With almost a full season in the job behind him McIntyre is a firm believer that a winning, successful team is essential if players are to realise their full potential.

"By developing young players you should also have successful teams," McIntyre argued. "Success breeds success, there is no one solution for everything, there's a blend to be achieved between having success and creating momentum in players development.

"Primarily we are here to develop young players but at any level there are lessons to be learned about winning trophies.

"We know that all of our players have talent- they wouldn't be at Celtic if they didn't but talent isn't enough.

"They need to have hunger and desire and we'll be looking to see that at Hampden on Wednesday."

On the back of The McLeish Report the Hampden clash between Celtic and Rangers will come in for additional attention and scrutiny.

McIntyre and his coaches are precise in their preparations for every match but know that ultimately it's up to players to perform on the pitch.

In the last two months Celtic and Rangers have traded wins at Barrafield and Murray Park to give their Hampden clash an extra edge.

Looking towards tomorrow's match McIntyre added: "We have prepared the players well and want them to enjoy the occasion of playing at Hampden in a cup final.

"We want them to display the talent that they have, to play their game and keep things simple.

"As young players we recognise that they will make mistakes but we hope that they can do themselves justice.

"Even senior players get nervous at cup finals but hopefully we can settle quickly and enjoy a great occasion.

"They've worked hard all season and it would be great for them to play to their potential and pick up a trophy for their efforts."

Youths move to a point from title celebration

Celtic's u-19 side are within touching distance of the league title after beating Hibs 2-0 today while Rangers lost 2-1 at Aberdeen.

Those results put Celtic twelve points ahead of Rangers who have four games left to play. The Ibrox kids haven't won any of their last four games with Celtic now needing just a point from their two remaining matches, against Aberdeen and Hearts to put the title beyond reach.

Rangers play Hibs in midweek with anything less than a win conforming Celtic as champions.

James Keatings and Greig Spence were on target today as Celtic beat Hins with something to spare with the added bonus of James Forest returning to the team.

There was no sign of title nerves as Celtic took the game to Hibs straight from the kick-off with Spence sending a glancing header looping over the bar in the fifth minute following a great cut-back from Forest.

Celtic were dominating the game with the midfield trio of Darren McCauley, Callum Bagshaw and Keatings all interchaning and linking well with the strikers.

The goal that Celtic had been threatening duly arrived in the 28th minute and was another spectacular strike from Keatings.

Richie Towell's throw in was returned by Sean Fitzharris to the full-back who slipped the ball to Keatings, after sidestepping one Hibs player Keatings powered an unstoppable 25 yard drive low beyond the Hibs keeper.

The goal was no more than Celtic deserved with Forest almost doubling the lead three minutes later but his 18 yard shot was blocked by the Hibs keeper.

Bagshaw, Forest and Spence all had chances to increase the lead before the break with the slick passing and movement carving open the Hibs defence.

Celtic picked things up quickly after the break with a one-two between Forest and Spence five minutes into the second half ending with the former Alloa striker being blocked off just as he was about to shoot.

Spence wasn't to be denied however and scored for the seventh game running in the 58th minute when he found space at the back post to head home a Fitzharris from the left.

After going two goals up the pace dropped a little allowing Hibs to come more into the match but they rarely looked like getting back into the match.

There was still half an hour to play in the Aberdeen-Rangers game when the final whistle blew with the score tied at 1-1.

Aberdeen's late winner means that Celtic can only be beaten on goal difference by Rangers- on today's form the young hoops are worthy champions and will be looking to win the championship by as big a margin as possible.

CELTIC: Guardino; Towell, Hughes, D Gallagher, Lowden; Bagshaw, Keatings, McCauley, Fitzharris, Spence, Forest. SUBS F Twardzik (Forest) Kennedy, Jones, McGregor, Young, O'Donnell.

Youths step up title bid

Celtic's youth side can take a significant step towards winning the championship by beating Hibs at Lennoxtown today, kick-off 1pm.

Stevie Frail's side require seven points from their last three matches to take the title- assuming that Rangers win all five of their remaining matches which are all away from home.

Rangers face Aberdeen today with a 1.30pm kick off knowing that they must win and hope for results elsewhere to keep their hopes alive- a bit like the first team situation in reverse.

After today Celtic have to play Hibs at home and finish the campaign away to Hearts on May 1, three days after the SFA Youth Cup Final against Rangers at Hampden.

SPL u-19 table
SPL u-19 fixtures.

Rangers slip up as double chasing youths prepare for Falkirk challenge

Celtic's double chasing u-19 side travel to Stirling University tomorrow to face Falkirk with the match kicking-off at 11am.

Last week's 1-0 win over Rangers has put Stevie Frail's side into the driving seat for the title with just three matches left to play after the clash with Falkirk.

Rangers 0-0 draw with St Johnstone earlier today leaves the young hoops six points clear at the top of the table with Rangers having played a game fewer.

A win tomorrow against Falkirk, who they defeated 4-1 last month, would stretch Celtic's lead at the top of the table to nine points.

With the SFA Youth Cup to be contested against Rangers at Hampden on April 28 the u-19 side have the possibility of winning the double but Frail has been keeping their attention focussed on Falkirk.

He said: "I know it's cliched we can't afford to look any further than the next match and Falkirk will be a tough match for us.

"The players are looking forward to the match and we've had a good week in training after the result last week against Rangers.

"We had a bounce game against Airdrie during the week where we played a few of our under-seventeen players and we had some players involved in the reserves 4-1 win over Hamilton.

"We've got ourselves into a good position in the league but we have to keep on winning, we're looking forward to the Falkirk match, we're confident about it but we know it will be another tough test."

Whatever level Celtic play Rangers at the match will always be the benchmark to judge players against.

Last Saturday's 1-0 win at Murray Park over Billy Kirkwood's team couldn't be described as a classic but showed the nerve and professionalism of the squad.

While developing and encouraging players is important installing a winning mentality is just as vital.

Frail added: "There was a lot to be encouraged with from the win last week, looking back at the game I was pleased with the professionalism that we showed.

"The game was tight but we held our nerve and even when we didn't have the ball we worked well.

"It might be a cynical part of the game but when we went in front we used the ball well, we played out time in the right areas.

"Even at senior level you see teams losing important goals late on and it's important to use the ball well when you are ahead in a tight match.

"The win last week was pleasing but we've got to move forward now and everyone is concentrating on facing Falkirk."

Youth's focus on Livi challenge

Celtic's youth side will put thoughts of Rangers to one side when they face Livingston in the semi-final of the SFA Youth Cup at Celtic Park tomorrow night, kick off 7pm.

Stevie Frail's side face Rangers in a vital league match on Saturday with the Ibrox kids having already booking their place in the Youth Cup Final with a 1-0 win over St Mirren on Sunday.

Celtic go into tomorrow's match on the back of three straight wins in the league against Falkirk, St Johnstone and Motherwell with Frail warning his players that Livingston will be tough opponents.

He said: "We've had Livingston watched and they have impressed us, they are well worth their place in the semi-finals of this competition.

"They are top of the SFL u-19s and top scorers, in the last round they won away from home against Hibs who are the cup holders.

"Livingston have got a good set-up at youth level and have developed Graham Dorrens, Robert Snodgrass and Leigh Griffiths in recent seasons.

"We've got plenty of talented players as well and they are all looking forward to playing at Celtic Park. We like to play an attacking style and the boys will enjoy making use of the space.

"Everyone coming along can expect to see a good game, we've got a lot of exciting players who are capable of progressing further.

"I don't like singling individuals out because all of the players are capable of making an impact in the game.

"We've got a few players coming back from injury which is good to see. There's a lot of competition for places in the side and that brings out the best in the players."

SPL u-19 league Rangers v Celtic, Saturday, 1pm kick-off Murray Park

Youth's in action today at 1pm

Is it really a December morning?

The sun is shining brightly and the u-19 side are in action at 1pm when they face Brora Rangers in the SFA Youth Cup.

Stevie Frail's side will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season away to Dundee United by making it into the fifth round of the national knock-out cup.

The Highland League side must have something about them to have reached the last 16 of the competition but hopefully their journey ends today.

I've no idea of what sort of side Celtic will put out but James Forrest and Josh Thompson, who have oth been on the first team bench this season, are likely to be playing.

On a normal grotty December Sunday this game would likely be for die-hards only but it looks like being a dry afternoon for those heading along to Lennoxtown.

Korcsmar on trial at Celtic

Youth's prepare for (Brora) Rangers test.

Celtic's u-19 side face Brora Rangers on Sunday in the SFA Youth Cup, kick-off 1pm at Lennoxtown.

After a 4-1 win away to Threave Rovers in the last round Stevie Frail's side will be confident of progress against their Highland League opponents.

Last Saturday the young hoops lost their unbeaten record in the SPL when they lost 2-1 to Dundee United at St Andrews University.

Celtic haven't won the SFA Youth Cup since 2006 when they defeated Hearts to win the trophy with Darren O'Dea, Simon Ferry, Charlie Grant and Scott Cuthbert in the side.

I spoke briefly to Grant before the Hapoel game and he seemed to be in good spirits and hopeful of picking up his career soon and is currently in full training.

'Growing problems' have halted his progress since the summer of 2006 but hopefully they are coming to an end and he'll be given the chance to resume his career.

As a red headed central midfielder the comparisons to Neil Lennon were obvious with Grant but was more of an attacking box-to-box midfielder than our former captain.

The SFA website has added match details on the Youth Cup going back to 1983/84 when Peter Grant captained Celtic to a 2-0 win over Rangers.

If the site can include team-lines as well as results it will become a haven for stattos!

Youths 1pm date with Killie, Kiwis success

Celtic's youth side are in action today against Kilmarnock at Barrafield with a 1pm kick-off.

Stevie Frail's side have scored four goals in each of their last three matches and are sitting unbeaten at the top of the SPL table.

The u-19 league is very competitive with predictions difficult to make as recent results show.

Over the last month Frail has been able to pick a fairly settled side and has been pleased by the progress being made in performances and results.

With no first team action for over a week today's match against Kilmarnock will hopefully benefit from a larger than usual crowd with Barrafield being easier to reach than Lennoxtown.

Already this morning Chris Killen and Michael McGlinchey have been celebrating with New Zealand qualifying for the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

A 1-0 win over Bahrain this morning saw the Kiwis go through with Killen and McGlinchey both in the staring eleven.

Celtic Youths go through away at Threave Rovers

Celtic won 4-0 away to Threave Rovers in the SFA Youth Cup this afternoon.

Haydn Cochrane scored twice with James Keatings and Declan Gallagher also on target for Stevie Frail's side.

After the match Frail said: "I was pleased with the performance, the surface was a bit heavy, there was an inspection on the pitch but we came through in the end.

"We changed the team around a bit and although they never hit the same heights as they have shown in their last two games it was a good win.

"Haydn Cochrane came in and showed that he has an eye for goal.

"There was a crowd of over 300 at the match including a good number of local Celtic supporters. Threave have got a good set up and put up a decent showing."

CELTIC Kennedy; Towell, Gallagher, Gallagher, Brennan; Cochrane, Bagshaw, Lowden; Keatings, Spence, P Twardzik

Youth's held by St Mirren, Ujpest-Ferencvaros latest

Stevie Frail's u-19 side drew for the fourth game running with a 1-1 draw at St Mirren earlier today.

Details are sketchy on the match with the St Mirren website reporting a first minute goal for the home side with Celtic equalising just before half-time.

Hopefully I'll soon have more details on the match and will put them up later in the day.

The point keeps Celtic in third place with Motherwell winning 3-0 away to Hibs on Friday.

Meanwhile over in Budapest with half an hour gone in the Ujpest-Ferencvaros derby it's still goal-less with Mark Millar in the Ujpest midfield.

Click here for the updates from the Ujpest website.