A goal from Jason Cummings secured a fine victory for Hibs’ Under 20s over league leaders Celtic at the Energy Asset Arena last night.
Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas watched from the stand and James McDonaugh selected first team squad players, Kevin Thomson, Alex Harris, Daniel Boateng as well as Cummings.
The Hoops started strongly and Boateng did well to prevent Liam Henderson from giving the visiting side the lead before Max Todd went close for Hibs.
In the 32nd minute, top scorer Cummings collected the ball with his back to goal, turned a Celtic defender and slotted the ball home past Fasan.
Celtic reacted to going behind and Paul Grant did well to save from a Henderson free kick.
James Lindsay then went close but Ryan Baptie made a vital clearance. Grant denied Holmbert Fridjonsson on 56 minutes before Baptie tried his luck from distance which was off target.
Celtic were then reduced to 10 men when Fisher was sent off after a challenge on Baptie but despite the reduced numbers, Celtic continued to apply pressure on the Hibs’ defence who coped with the pressure.
Scotland international Kevin Thomson had a shot which was deflected onto the bar on 67 minutes before Tom Gardiner made a goal-line clearance when a header from Fraser had beaten Grant.
Fasan made a fine save from a Callum Crane strike which deflected and looped over the keeper, but a strong hand tipped the shot over the bar and out for a corner.
Despite late pressure from the Glasgow side, Hibs’ youngsters remained resolute to register their third straight victory over Celtic at under-20 level and move two points behind Celtic in the SPFL U20 League.
Hibs’ under-20s: Paul Grant, Andrew Black, Ryan Baptie, Euan Smith, Daniel Boateng (Bob Wilson, 46), Tom Gardiner, Alex Harris, Kevin Thomson (Callum Crane, 77), Jason Cummings (Gareth McCaffrey, 62), Scott Martin, Max Todd. Unused substitutes: Dougie Horne, Aaron Dunsmore, Neil Martyniuk, Jamie Beaton.
Photo by John Preece
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
