The Celtic Boys Club - 1997 Team

Match Report - The Celtic Boys Club - 1997s

Cup woes for Celts

Scottish Challenge Cup

Celtic BC 2 Rangers SABC 4

Celtic's unbeaten record was shattered by a strong Rangers team who only had 10 players available for Sunday's Scottish cup tie at Hamilton Palace. After a short delay on kick off ,it was the hosts who started the better, and within a minute took an early lead. Sean Reilly with good skills to create the space, his near post cross met by James Pollock to header high into the net past the helpless Gers keeper 1-0 Celtic. Celtic at this stage looked well up for the task and had another chance cleared off the line after five minutes. Rangers playing with 4 3 2 formation were creating chances for themselves but were finding Celtic's back three strong in the challenge. Rangers's outside left was causing Celtic early problems with pace and skill, creating chances for his forwards. Dylan Harvey the Celtic goalie, saving on numerous occasions and having to be on his toes at all times as Rangers sought an equiliser. Celtic did have the ball in the net again just before the break but rightly chopped off for hand ball. The home team were creating chance after chance but with poor passing and undecisive play, the would rue their missed oppurtunities.

Half Time 1-0

Celtic with some harsh words, from the manager, came out flying, an early James Pollock pass finding Ryan Sheilds his strike, just past the post. A corner on the left swung in by Reilly found Jordan Davidson, his shot hitting the post and out for a by, to the relief of the Gers goalie. Celtic had to be careful and only a timely tackle from Kyle Ckrystal saving a near chance for the Rangers forward. Rangers, well marshalled at the rear by a powerful and able number five, who almost one handedly kept the hosts from adding to there tally, and it was his clearance that set Rangers up for the equiliser. Celtic pushing for a second were caught out, good defencive play, the Rangers number five set his team on the offensive, their forward catching the Celtic defence flat footed, he one on one with the Celtic keeper, finished superbly to level the match 1-1. Rangers took heart from there efforts and with there next attack were in front, some slack play in the midfield allowing the outstanding Rangers number 11, to race in on goal his drive, diverted in to the net off a helpless Michael McDowells foot 2-1 Rangers. Celtic were stunned into action and some clever play, Davidson his pace troubling the Gers defence was hauled to the ground, free kick! Pollocks drive high and wide. Celtic now snatching at chances, their frustations showing were still fighting to get back on level terms and with ten minutes left the equiliser came. Good work from Mark McGhee on the left, he beat two his inside pass finding Ryan Clark free, beating the oncoming defender he found Sheilds, who steadied himself before unleashing an unstoppable drive from all of 25 yards high into the top corner 2-2. The Celts could sence the win but Rangers had other ideas there number 7 picking the ball up in midfied, he raced forward beating 1,2,3 then 4 defenders before his thunderbolt strike giving the Celtic goalie no chance, Celtic's misery wasn't ended there as straight from kick off, the same player, won possesion on the half way line and hit an unstoppable strike over the Celtic keeper 4-2 Rangers. Celtic had no way back and within a minute the ref ended the match.The game played in good spirit with both teams and coaches appreciating each others toils. Rangers into the next round, with confidence of going all the way, Celtic thinking what could have been.

Celtic Man of the Match Mark McGhee