PARTICK THISTLE… 1
(Coulibaly 29)
CELTIC… 4
(Benyu 36, Aitchison 44, Miller 82 & 86)
CELTIC Reserves bounced back from going a goal down to beat Partick Thistle 4-1 and get 2019 off to a winning start. Goals from Kundai Benyu, Jack Aitchison and a double for Calvin Miller delivered the derby win for Tommy McIntyre’s side in what was a tough game for the young Hoops side.
Miller, back at Celtic after a loan spell with Dundee earlier in the season, was dangerous from the off, creating chances down the flank but the Thistle defence stood firm.
They also had goalkeeper Aaron Lennox to thank, with the stopper producing a great save after just five minutes to deny Aitchison.
And the young striker, who is on loan with Alloa Athletic, although he can still play for the Hoops, was denied the opener on 18 minutes when his shot crashed off the bar.
Celtic were dominating possession and looked the more likely to score, but on a counter-attack just before the half-hour mark, Thistle took the lead.
Souleymane Coulibaly latched on to a ball over the top of the Celtic defence and slotted the ball beyond Reece Willison to make it 1-0.
However, just seven minutes later, the Hoops were level. Benyu ghosted into the box and proved a superb finish with a shot into the corner of the net.
Miller came close with a fizzing shot from 25 yards out just minutes later before Aitchison gave Celtic the lead with a header just a minute before the break.
The early second-half exchanges saw Celtic push forward in search of a third goal, with Armstrong Oko-Flex and Miller both coming close. But the Hoops had a let-off just before the hour mark when they conceded a penalty. Thankfully, Lewis Mansell hit the spot-kick wide of the post.
The home side were battling gamely in search of an equaliser, but Celtic’s defensive discipline was preventing many clear-cut chances.
And on 82 minutes, Miller made the points secure when he dispossessed a Thistle defender before drilling powerful shot into the far corner from the edge of the area.
The scoring was completed four minutes later when Miller’s shot took a deflection, leaving the Thistle goalkeeper stranded as the ball nestled in the back of the net to make it 4-1 for the Hoops.
Kerr McInroy was denied a goal in the final moments when his effort was saved by Lennox, but it was a strong performance from Tommy McIntyre’s side as they returned to league action with a win.
PARTICK THISTLE: Lennox, Duncanson, Rodden, Duncan, McIntyre, Wilson, McCarthy, Mansell, Roy, Coulibaly, Niang.
Subs: Scullion, Crooks, Watson, Walker, Griffiths, Kemoe, Eadie
CELTIC: Willison ,Duffy, Church, Welsh, Hill, Mulumbu, McInroy, Miller, Benyu, Oko-Flex, Aitchison.
Subs: Hughes, Mazis, Diver, Caffrey, Savoury, Bell
