Celtic B stun Premier League counterparts with impressive cup victory in England; Vata shines

By John McGinley

January 17, 2023

A Celtic U23s side took apart their Wolves counterparts this evening with an impressive 4-2 victory in the Premier League International Cup.

Prospects such as Bosun Lawal, Ben Summers and Rocco Vata all starred in the win, which gives the young Bhoys a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament.

It was Vata who got his side on the road to victory, scoring an early double before Tsoanelo Letsosa netted a third before half-time.

A rattled Wolves did manage to pull one back before the interval but midfielder Scott Robertson added a Celtic fourth on 65 minutes, leaving the home side with too much to do.

The Bhoys were defeated by Fulham in their opening game of Group A, but victories in upcoming matches against Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers could see the Bhoys through to the last eight.

The two top sides from each eight-team group qualify alongside two of the best-ranked third-placed clubs.

Manchester City, Villarreal, Porto and Bayern Munich are all past winners of the prestigious youth tournament which takes place across an entire season and involves 24 academies.

The early form sides in this year’s edition include Valencia, PSV Eindhoven and Everton, with all the fixtures played in England.

Celtic play away to Leicester City next Wednesday night with a trip to Blackburn Rovers scheduled for February 1st.

Good luck to the Bhoys and coaches Darren O’Dea & Stephen McManus – who were praised by manager Ange Postecoglou in a media conference earlier today.

In other news, “We want a little bit of revenge”; Carl Starfelt sets out Celtic mission.