TOMMY McINTYRE hailed his young Celts as they defeated their Ibrox counterparts 3-2 to lift the Glasgow Cup at Parkhead last night.
The Under-20s coach saw his talented collection of kids claim the silverware with a superb effort from central defender Robbie Deas in stoppage time with the encounter heading for extra-time.
It was a fabulous finish from the back-four operator after he pulled down Ewan Henderson’s well-flighted free-kick from the left and rifled a stunning right-foot drive into the top corner of the net with keeper Kieran Wright helpless.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Tommy McIntyre roars on the youngsters.
Goals from Jack Aitchison and Mikey Johnston, with a brilliant free-kick, had given the Hoops babes the lead, but Glenn Middleton snatched two after the turnaround to bring it back to level pegging.
It remained that way until Deas’ timely intervention to sweep in a sensational winner.
A beaming McIntyre, speaking to the Evening Times, said: “I think it was a great advert for our young players and I thought the boys were magnificent.
“Rangers were always going to have a spell and it was a great goal for their equaliser.
PRIZE GUYS…the Celtic youngsters with the trophy after a dramatic climax to an enthralling Glasgow Cup Final.
“At 2-1, we missed a chance on the counter, but our game plan was spot on.
“What a goal it was from Robbie to win a Cup Final. Considering he is left footed, as well, it made it even sweeter.
“We had a lot of youth internationals on show. We had Barry Coffey, Cameron Harper, Karamoko Dembele and Armstrong Oko-Flex who will all benefit from an experience like this.
“Jack Aitchison and Mikey Johnston were outstanding. You could see the maturity from Jack and he caused Rangers problems.”
The Celtic side: Mullen, Duffy (Savoury 80), Church, Deas, Welsh, Coffey, Dembele (Robertson 80), Henderson, Aitchison (Harper 49), Johnston (McLaughlin 72) and Oko-Flex. Unused subs: Willison, Kennedy, Diver,
