YFS
Celtic’s under 17 side won the Denis Law Tournament in 2013 and their under 16 side made a strong start to the 2014 tournament with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Dundee. Celtic’s Aidan Quinn netted the all important opening goal midway through the first half and wide man Rory Currie scored two to wrap up an impressive start to this year’s tournament for Celtic.
The 3-0 victory sends Celtic to the submit after the other game in the group which was played on the pitch adjacent to this one saw Sheffield United overcome Aberdeen 1-0. Celtic’s under 17 team beat Dundee on the way to winning the tournament last year and this under 16 side will be hoping that is a good omen.
The Glasgow team started the match in the ascendancy and had Dundee camped in their own half for large parts of the first half. Despite that, they struggled to break down a well organised, stubborn and plucky Dundee side. The dark blues started the match in a 4-5-1 formation with the aim of being hard to beat. To their credit, they tried to pass the ball out from the back but often lacked an outlet upfront to turn defence into attack.
Celtic were using the width of the pitch in their attempt to breakdown Dundee and right winger Rory Currie was lively throughout. And it was up the right wing where Celtic created the goal their performance had merited.
Dundee’s Alex Gibb attempt to chaperone the ball out of play was thwarted by Celtic’s Anthony Ralston who nicked the ball off him and squared for Aidan Quinn who had the simple task of knocking the ball into the net from four yards. Gibb protested that the ball had rolled out of play but with the benefit of a replay, it appears the linesman made the correct decision.
Celtic would have been delighted with their opening goal and would have hoped that it would result in more space and gaps to exploit. They doubled their lead five minutes later when Currie cut in from the right, escaped a challenge and fired high into the goal past goalkeeper Robbie Paterson from 14 yards.