Our Wee Hibees ran out comfortable winners 4-1 winners over Celtic on Friday afternoon.
The goals came from Josh Landers (x2), Reuben McAllister and Harry Wright, in what was an impressive performance at HTC.
Both teams made a fast-paced start to proceedings, but it was Hibs who netted within the first five minutes.
Darren McGregor’s looked to press from the off and that paid off early on as Hibs won the ball back high before Josh Landers broke the deadlock with an effort from close range.
Celtic responded almost instantly, though, as Filip Skorb got on the end of a ball across the face off goal from the right-hand side.
The early flurry of goals was a sign of things to come with the game very open and both sides looking dangerous when going forward.
Chances continued to fall for Hibs, though. A short free-kick from Reuben McAllister found Jay McGarva who’s low effort outside the area was well saved by Marcus Gill in the Celtic goal.
Shortly after, Harry Wright did exceptionally well to beat several Celtic defenders before driving into the box. His strike at goal unfortunately took a deflection off a defender to prevent it from finding the back of the net.
Dean Cleland then came close to regaining Hibs’ advantage when his headed attempt from close range sailed just over the bar.
Just shy of the hour mark Hibs’ pressure paid off, Josh McDonald set up Josh Landers with an inch perfect pass. Josh did superbly well to beat two Celtic defenders in the box before cutting inside and smashing the ball into the far bottom corner.
Despite Hibs having the majority of chances, the Wee Hibees still had to defend their box well as Celtic weren’t giving up in their attempts to find a second equaliser before half time. Ryan Mallon made some good saves to prevent Celtic scoring.
Just on the stroke of half-time Hibs netted a third of the afternoon, Harry Wright laid the ball off to Reuben McAllister near the edge of the area, Reuben took a touch before striking into the far bottom corner to give Hibs a comfortable two goal lead going into the interval.
Hibs started the second half just like they started the first, constantly looking to create going forward and not giving the Celtic back line a moment to think.
Despite this it was Celtic who had the first opportunity of the second 45 when Sean McArdle had an effort from his corner tipped over the bar.
Hibs wanted to make sure there wasn’t any opportunity for Celtic to get themselves back into the game and they made sure off that when Hibs netted a fourth through Harry Wright!
Dean Cleland held the ball up well, holding off a Celtic player in the process, before playing the ball to Rory Whittaker on the right flank. The 16-year-old’s brilliant delivery into the box found the head of Harry Wright who reached highest to head the ball into the net.
From then on the Wee Hibees were in full control of proceedings, pinning the Celtic defence back at any given opportunity.
Rory Whittaker was proving to be a problem for Celtic in the second half through his eagerness to get forward and create. Shortly after, Reuben McAllister came very close to netting his second when his effort from a tight angle in the box was saved well by the feet of Marcus Gill in the Celtic goal.
Hibs limited Celtic to very little chances all game and saw the game out pretty convincingly.
A fantastic result and performance from Darren McGregor’s youngsters in the U18 CAS Elite League.
Hibs Starting XI
Mallon; Whittaker, Calder, McGrath, Hastie; McDonald, McAllister, McGarva; Wright, Landers, Cleland
Bench
Vickery, Bulloch, McMurdo, Aitken, McSporran
