A Bright Future?

The Raging Oxter · Apr 5, 2012

CELTIC Under-15s have won the prestigious Nike Cup youth tournament, beating Chelsea in a tense penalty shoot-out in the final. The game finished goal-less but the Hoops held their nerve and lifted the trophy.

ItÂ´s a tremendous achievement for the young Celts, who came out on top against the best youth teams in England. The 24-team tournament was held at Warwick University, Coventry, with most of the teams being drawn from the Enlgish Premier League.

The young Hoops were listed in a tough group alongside West Ham United, Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City and Chelsea.

It was Celtic and Chelsea who progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament. In the quarter-final, Celtic beat Newcastle United 2-0, and they repeated the same scoreline in the semi-final when they knocked out Liverpool. And it set up a meeting in the final with Chelsea.

Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart said: "This is a great achievement and congratulations go to the boys and their coaches for all the hard work theyÂ´ve put in to achieving this success.

"ItÂ´s a measure of the quality we have at our Youth Academy that we were invited to take part in the Nike Cup, and that we also managed to win the tournament, particularly since we were competing against the top English youth sides at that age group.

"Michael OÂ´Halloran, the Under-15sÂ´ head coach, has told me that all the players were tremendous throughout the tournament. Their performances impressed everyone who watched them, and their conduct both on and off the park was a credit to Celtic Football Club.

"WeÂ´re all delighted at this success, and itÂ´s another great experience in their ongoing football education at Celtic."

Manager Neil Lennon also passed on his congratulations to the young Celts. He told the official Celtic website: "ItÂ´s important that these young players get the right football education and they definitely get that through our Youth Academy.

"And winning trophies is also a good habit for any Celtic player to get into. The fact that these boys competed against, and beat, the best youth teams in England is testament to the talent we have at the club, and credit must go to Chris McCart and everyone at the Academy for all the hard work they do.

"These players will already be aware of just how much hard work lies ahead of them over the next few years as they try to become Celtic first-team players, but successes such as this one in the Nike Cup can only benefit them."

Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted at this success and I would like to congratulate all the boys, their coach Michael OÂ´Halloran and his team, and Chris McCart and everyone at the Youth Academy.

"This success is not just one for our Under-15 squad. ItÂ´s a success the whole Academy, and indeed, the club, can enjoy. There is so much great work being done at all levels of our Academy so itÂ´s tremendous when everyone can enjoy a success such as this.

"The fact that we were invited to take part in the Nike Cup, alongside the best youth teams in Britain, is an indication of our standing and reputation at this level. And to go on and lift the trophy is confirmation of the talent we have coming through our Academy.

"ItÂ´s been a great week for our Academy, with the Under-19s winning the league for the third year in a row and reaching the Youth Cup final, and now our Under-15s have lifted the Nike Cup.

"And IÂ´m sure that, even as the focus turns to Rugby Park this weekend, all our supporters will be delighted and encouraged at the success that our Youth Academy is having. It augers well for the future."
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Excellent news and with the under 19s winning the championship last week let's hope we see a few more Aiden McGeadys and James Forrests coming through the ranks soon.

EspaniaCelt · Apr 5, 2012

Great news - this certainly appears to augur well for the future and as you say, lets hope at least a few of these lads can make it to the standard we want to see in the senior team. Is there any footage available?

The Raging Oxter · Apr 5, 2012

EspaniaCelt said: ↑

Great news - this certainly appears to augur well for the future and as you say, lets hope at least a few of these lads can make it to the standard we want to see in the senior team. Is there any footage available?
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Not that I can find.

A Bright Future?

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A Bright Future?

The Raging Oxter Well-Known Member

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The Raging Oxter Well-Known Member

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