McGrain shocked by refereeing decisions

Even after 40 years at Celtic Danny McGrain could hardly believe the performance of the referee in Wednesday's reserve win over Rangers at Murray Park.

Celtic's 1-0 win can be watched again on channel 67 as Morten Rasmussen scores the only goal of the match.

Without doubt the current term will be remembered as the season of the honest mistake with numerous decisions not going Celtic's way, especially in the games against Rangers.

The mistakes of Craig Thomson, Steve Conroy and Dougie McDonald have all attracted criticism with even Hugh Dallas forced into admitting his disappointment with some of this season's decisions although the only apology that has been issued was on behalf of Thomson after the opening derby of the season.

There are a few compilation videos around on the internet but by any standards the performance of the unknown referee in the reserve match from Wednesday will take some beating.

Speaking after the match reserve coach McGrain said: "I've heard of bad refereeing but we had three certain penalty kicks.

"The guy (Kirk Broadfoot) just took Paddy McCourt's feet away from him, the referee tried to say that he put his foot in.

"Then there was the handball, the ball was going into the back of the net and he said it wasn't intentional but if he stops the ball going into the net it's surely a penalty kick. You've got to get some advantage from it.

"But hey we won 1-0, we played the only football on the park. It was a great game for everybody concerned and especially for Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne, they came through without any problems."

Danny forgot to mention the third penalty incident where after some jostling for a bouncing ball Neil Alexander decided to drag Rasmussen onto the deck.

In all three incidents the Rangers players looked surprised to get away without punishment.

It's only fair to add that when Rasmussen did score his goal he could well have been in an offside position but the three penalty incidents were far from marginal.

Chanel 67 certainly goes someway to filling the gap left by the demise of Setanta and Celtic TV, Neil Lennon's interviews are honest and refreshing giving away a few snippets of information.

It's official: Celtic SPL u-19 champions 2009/2010

Celtic's u-19 side have clinched the SPL title today after Rangers lost 2-0 to Dundee United.

The result leaves Stevie Frail's side nine points ahead of Rangers with two games left to play with Dundee United moving into second place a point ahead of Rangers but with just one match remaining.

Celtic face Aberdeen at Lennoxtown tomorrow but despite clinching the championship Frail will be expecting nothing less than a win from his players.

He said: "It's great to be champions and we'll be looking to play like champions against Aberdeen.

"The players have worked hard to win the title and will be determined to keep up their recent form.

"There's maybe a little less pressure tomorrow but we still expect high standards from the players and they all have cup final places to play for.

"Knowing that we've won the league might change my thinking on who plays tomorrow. We're looking forward to the match knowing that there are still two big games to go this season."

Celtic face Rangers at Hampden on Wednesday in the final of the SFA Youth Cup then complete their league campaign next Saturday away to Hearts.

SPL u-19 league table

Celtic youth side prepare for title clincher

Stevie Frail has invited the Celtic support into Lennoxtown tomorrow as the u-19 side look to clinch the SPL title.

A draw against Aberdeen tomorrow will be enough to give Celtic the championship but after seven straight wins the young hoops are looking to keep their momentum going ahead of Wednesday's SFA Youth Cup Final with Rangers on Wednesday.

The league could be clinched this afternoon if Rangers fail to win at Dundee United but regardless of that result Frail is looking for another winning performance from his side against Aberdeen.

He said: "We've had a great week in training and all of the players are looking forward to this match, Saturday can't come quickly enough for them.

"They've been sharp and lively and are confident with the run of wins that they've had.

"It would be great to see a few more supporters along to see what's coming through at the club.

"Supporters like to identify players that are coming through the ranks and this group are progressing well."

Over the season Celtic have lost just twice in the league and responded to their last defeat, 2-1 at home to Rangers, by embarking on their current seven match winning run.

Alongside that they have beaten Threave Rovers, Brora Rangers, Dundee United and Livingston to reach the final of the SFA Youth Cup.

The squad has been changed frequently throughout the season with competition for places in every area of the park.

As well as players brought through the ranks from the traditional scouting areas of Scotland and Ireland the side has been able to call upon Italian goalkeeper Daniele Giordano and midfielder Filip Twardzik from the Chech Republic.

Last Saturday Celtic beat Hibs 2-0 to inch closer to the title with James Forrest returning to the side alongside Darren McCauley.

Competition for places in midfield and in attack is especially fierce with a dozen or more players competing for six places.

Every manager likes to be confronted with options when he picks his side with Frail no exception.

He added: "There are loys of factors that come into picking the team, we look at the boys in training, consider our opponents and how we fared in the last match.

"Grant Gallagher missed out through injury last week and Darren McCauley stepped into midfield, up front it was good to have James Forrest back after more than a month being out injured.

"We've got strong competition for places and that's what every coach is looking for, they all want to play and there's a cup final coming up as well.

"No-one is looking too far ahead and all of our thoughts or on Aberdeen.

"They beat Rangers last week and will want to finish the season on a high.

"Players have got contracts to play for as well as their own pride, we had Aberdeen watched on Tuesday when they drew with St Mirren and we know that they will be tough opponents.

"We started the season well with a 2-0 win at Aberdeen and the same sort of result on Saturday would be great."

Morten Rasmussen sinks Rangers in friendly win

Morten Rasmussen was the hero this afternoon as Celtic's reserve side beat Rangers 1-0 in a surprise 'friendly' at Murray Park.

The great Dane scored a typical poachers goal in the 60th minute in the first reserve level clash between the two side in a year.

Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne both returned from injury to feature in the match and will be assessed tomorrow for any reaction.

Loovens played the first half with Rogne lasting over an hour wth neither player showing any reaction to their recent injury problems.

Celtic had the better of the match but it took until the 60th minute to take the lead. Edison Braffheid created the opening on the left, his cross into the box was fed to Rasmussen by Paul McGowan who found the net from his favourite distance of six yards out.

CELTIC: Cervi; Caddis, Rogne (Young), Loovens (Tolmie), Braffheid; Zhi, Ki, Millar, McCourt (Toshney); McGowan, Rasmussen

Rangers: Alexander; Broadfoot, Perry, Wilson (K Naismith) Smith, Beasley, Fleck, Stirling, Kind-Bendiksen; Novo (Kisuka), Little