What happened…
City’s youngsters continued their excellent start to the European season with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Celtic.
Goals from Javairo Dilrosun, Rodney Kongolo and two from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts gave City their second victory of the UEFA Youth League campaign.
Playing at Cappielow Park, the home of Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, City took control of their match with the Bhoys in the early stages.
However, having been reduced to long range efforts early on, it demonstrated the clinical nature of this team when Javairo Dilrosun finished the first serious chance of the match.
Brahim Diaz played the ball out wide for Aaron Nemane and the winger’s left footed cross was met by Dilrosun who fired into the roof of the net.
Rodney Kongolo doubled City’s lead a few minutes later when his drilled strike went under Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard.
Daniel Grimshaw’s goal remained relatively untroubled throughout the second half as City continued to keep Celtic at arms’ length.
It was in the 70th minute that City put the game beyond the reach of the Hoops as Aaron Nemane breezed in behind and squared the ball for Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to tap home.
The second-half substitute added his second with a finish from a tight angle to guarantee all three points for the Blues.
What it means...
MCFC have two wins from two in Group C of the UEFA Youth League after they beat Borussia Monchengladbach two weeks ago.
Simon Davies’ side will travel to Barcelona on the 19th October in their next fixture in the European competition.
Man of the match…
Sadou Diallo - Composure at the base of the midfield is essential for all European away trips and Diallo played the role superbly in Scotland.
Crucial in building attacks in the first half and negating Celtic’s attempts to get back in the game in the second, Diallo gave his team the perfect footing to control the match.
Key moment...
After an early period in which City struggled to break down the Bhoys’ defence, Brahim’s silky movement to invent space in a crowded area was essential in creating the first goal for the Blues.
How they lined up…
Daniel Grimshaw kept his UEFA Youth League place after an impressive performance with both hands and feet against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Demeaco Duhaney, Tosin Adarabioyo, Cameron Humphreys and Jacob Davenport were the four-man defence with Sadou Diallo, captain Rodney Kongolo and Paolo Fernandes the central midfielders in front of him.
Aaron Nemane and Javairo Dilrosun were on the wings either side of recent first teamer Brahim Diaz.
Subs: Kjetil Haug, Charlie Oliver, Erik Sarmiento, Marcus Wood, Ash Kigbu, WIll Patching, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts
Celtic XI: Hazard, Ralston, Wardrop, McCart, Archibald, Hill, Ajer, Aitchison, Hendry, Miller, Crossan
