Celtic find their shooting boots
By Iain Benson
Celtic had a storming second half to run out winners against the Manchester City Elite Development Squad.
The first half saw both sides have good chances, with Gomes Da Pina having two glorious chances that he put over the bar, and a third when one-on-one with Ashley Woodhouse, only to fire straight at Woodhouse. Whilst at the other end, Adam Pepper and Chris Aurier both went close themselves, with Aurier's header well claimed by Angus Gunn in the City nets.
Despite an outstanding performance from Joel Bembo-Leta that had the City front line searching for an opening. They had to find it by being where Bembo-Leta wasn't, which is what they did with Ryan McGivern breaking forward and putting in a low cross for Alex Nimley to convert. This was followed moments later as Albert Rusnak burst through and fired off a great low drive that flew past Woodhouse to double City's lead.
Celtic changed things around for the second half, bringing on Dennis Sheriff and Mitchell Austin, and this was the right pairing to open up City. After some good build up play, Austin forced Gunn into a good flying save. However, Celtic's build up play kept improving, and Adam Pepper went close, before bing fouled at the edge of the box. Rory Coleman's free kick was handled on route to the top corner, and Celtic got a penalty.
Up stepped Sheriff and coolly sent Gunn the wrong way with a well taken penalty.
Cue some excellent football from the Celtic youngsters. At the heart of the action Callum Warburton, who was pulling the strings. Moments after Jordan Barrow's fierce drive was well saved by Gunn, French trialist, Allan Kimbaloula, received a good ball from Austin, and Kimbaloula's drive was venemous to equalise for Celtic.
Celtic scented a chance, and that chance was taken by Callum Warburton, who capped off his great performance with a powerful run into the box and he selfishly pulled the ball back for the players queuing to turn the cross home, but the dubious honour for turning the ball bast Gunn was Kieran Kennedy.
City's EDS squad realised that they had very little time left and were now a goal down. They pressed hard by the Celtic back line was immense, working hard for each other, and City ran out of time.
