Celtic B secured their place in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Scottish League 2 side Annan Athletic.
Goals from Lee O’Connor and Scott Robertson helped Tommy McIntyre to a comfortable win over the side from the division above.
Going into the game, McIntyre made seven changes to his side, which defeated Bo’ness United at the weekend with some more familiar faces that fans may recognise coming into the side.
With the difference in rules between the cup competition and the Lowland League, the Hoops coach was able to rely on a couple more players with some first-team experience.
Bringing in the likes of Lee O’Connor, Dane Murray, Scott Robertson, Luca Connell, Kerr McInroy and Liam Shaw down, with all of the above players spending time in pre-season with Ange Postecoglou and his squad.
The Hoops got off to a great start, opening the scoring in the early stages.
After a good move, the ball made its way to the left-hand side with Brody Paterson. The left-back then played a low cross into the centre of the box, where fellow full-back Lee O’Connor was waiting to hit home, first time for the game’s opener.
Some fans may have sensed deja vu from Sunday’s first-team victory over Dundee, with O’Connor finding himself in a similar finish to Tony Ralston, who was also on the scoresheet.
Throughout the game, the young Celts continued to look comfortable and dominated a lot of the ball without creating too many clear cut chances.
They finally found their way through to goal, though, with around 15 minutes of time left to play, securing the victory on the night.
Some quick thinking from midfielder Scott Robertson saw him take a quick free-kick and play a clever one-two with substitute striker Joey Dawson.
The 20-year old then found himself in space; before finishing the move, he started into the bottom corner.
Tommy McIntyre and his side will now face Championship side Greenock Morton in the next round of the competition on the 4th/5th of September.
But first up, it’s a return to Lowland League action against Vale of Leithen this weekend.
