TOMMY McINTYRE’S youngsters have been pipped by their Ibrox counterparts for the Reserve League title – on goal difference.
The bright Bhoys beat an experienced St Johnstone line-up 3-2 at Lennoxtown yesterday, but it just wasn’t enough to claim the championship.
Mikey Johnston, Ewan Henderson and substitute Grant Savoury were the goalscorers in a thrilling, but, ultimately, disappointing encounter for the kids after winning the Glasgow Cup 3-2 against the Govan outfit last week.
The Saints took the half-time lead through first-team regular David Wotherspoon, but Johnston levelled with an excellent free-kick in the 58th minute and Henderson headed a second shortly afterwards.
Jamie McKenzie equalised in the 72nd minute before Savoury claimed the winner four minutes from the end.
It was an unfortunate climax to the campaign for the talented teens, but Karamoko Dembele and Armstrong Oko-Flex will undoubtedly have gained from regular football at this level.
The Celtic side was: Mullen; Coffey, Welsh, Deas, Church; Henderson, Robertson, Johnston; Dembele, Oko-Flex (Diver 75) and Crossan (Savoury 75).
