U18s Report: Celtic 0 Hibs 3

The wee Hibees left Lennoxtown with all three points after another impressive display on Friday evening against Celtic.

Goals from Josh McDonald and another Dean Cleland brace secured all three points for the visitors and ensured our unbeaten start to the CAS Elite League continued.

Jamie McMurdo came the closest to opening the scoring in a first half that was completely dominated by the Hibees. We constantly looked a threat, particularly from set-pieces, with McMurdo striking the crossbar from a free-kick on the edge of the area.

Celtic had their goalkeeper, Corey Shaw, to thank for keeping the scores level at the break. But, the deadlock was eventually broken eight minutes into the second half thanks to Josh McDonald.

After winning the ball back quickly in the Celtic half, we looked to go forward at speed with Dean Cleland and Jamie McMurdo combining cleverly down the right-hand side. McMurdo got his head up and squared it to McDonald who applied the finishing touch to open the scoring.

We doubled our advantage around the 70-minute mark, when Dean Cleland volleyed home from 12-yards out. After a couple of ricochets in the penalty area, the ball eventually fell in the direction of Cleland, who made no mistake with the finish.

We wrapped up the victory with an excellent team goal. Freddie Owens played a great ball over the top towards Owen Calder, who showed great speed and athleticism to get on the end of it. Calder advanced into the penalty area before picking out Cleland who notched his second and the Hibees third of the game.

Darren McGregor’s side held on to secure another clean sheet and an important three points that lifts us back to the top of the table.

Hibs U18s: Mallon, Whittaker, Calder, Gillie, McGrath, Bruce, Buckley, Cleland, McDonald, McMurdo, Davidson.