Glasgow Cup defeat for young Celts | OneFootball

Glasgow CupTuesday, January 7, 2025Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir

RANGERS B…3(Curtis 11, McClure 18, Lovelace 85)

CELTIC B…1(Dargie 58)

TUESDAY'S Glasgow Cup tie ended in defeat for Celtic FC’s B team as they lost 3-1 to Rangers B in freezing cold conditions at Ochilview Park in Stenhousemuir.

The young Celts started the game well, piling pressure on to the hosts’ back-line and forcing them into a number of mistakes as they tried to drive up the pitch.

With just under 10 minutes played, Daniel Cummings, who has been in fine goalscoring form so far this season, fashioned a great opportunity for himself.

He brought the ball under control on his chest 25 yards from goal, and with a glance up towards the target, he hit an effort that looked destined for the top corner, Instead it crashed off the inside of the post and was scrambled clear for a Celtic corner.

The woodwork was still trembling from Cummings’ effort when Mitchell Robertson saw his header from the in-swinging corner collide with the post, leaving everyone in green and white wondering how they hadn’t taken the lead from at least one of the two efforts over that 30-second period.

However, Rangers, completely against the run of play, took the lead when Findlay Curtis fired an effort in to the bottom corner of the Celtic net.

And the hosts almost doubled that advantage two minutes later when Alex Lowry flashed a shot across the face of goal from the left-hand side of the penalty area which drifted just wide of the post.

The Celts continued to push forward, however, and Daniel Cummings was unfortunate not to connect with a great ball in to the box from Kyle Ure.

But Stephen McManus’ side found themselves 2-0 down after 18 minutes when Blaine McClure blasted a shot in to the top corner from outside the box, leaving Joe Morrison with no chance of making the save.

Morrison was called in to action twice in quick succession at the end of the first half, producing two great stops to deny Curtis from giving his side a three-goal lead.

Early in the second half, Mitchell Robertson came up with a perfectly-timed sliding challenge in the penalty area to prevent Zac Lovelace from having a shot on goal from close range.

And a few moments later, Andrew Kyle had a great opportunity to pull a goal back for the Celts but his header at the back post drifted over the crossbar.

With just under an hour played, Rhys Dargie was brought on for the Hoops and within minutes of him coming on to the park, he made his mark on the game.

A great ball to the back post from Daniel Cummings found Dargie and he headed home to make it 2-1.

Celtic's goalscorer was causing problems for Rangers every time he went forward with the ball and for the majority of the second half, the Celts looked like they were more likely to score.

In the 67th minute, Mitchell Robertson got his head to the ball at the back post after a corner was swung deep in to the box, but somehow Rangers managed to clear it off the line to keep themselves ahead.

Despite their good play, the young Celts couldn’t find an equaliser and with only five minutes left to play, Zac Lovelace secured the win for the hosts when he made it 3-1 with a tap-in from close range.

Next up for the Celtic B team is a return to Lowland League action when they face Broomhill on Saturday afternoon.

CELTIC: Morrison, Donovan, Frame, Robertson (c), Agbaire, Ure, Dede, McCardle, Cummings, Turley, KyleSubs: Rice, Davidson, Cannon, Pickford, Haddow, Dargie, Dobbie

Upcoming Fixtures

Celtic B Vs. Broomhill FC - Sat, Jan 1st 2025, 15:00