Disappointment for Celtic again in UEFA Youth League after defeat in Warsaw

By Lewis Laird

September 14, 2022

Celtic u19s suffered their second defeat in the UEFA Youth League this afternoon, falling to a 2-1 loss against Shakhtar Donetsk.

With the first team preparing to take on the Ukrainian side later on this evening, the young Celts managed by Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus were up first, taking on the Shakhtar academy youngsters.

The Hoops made three changes from the side that suffered a heavy opening group stage defeat to Real Madrid.

Tsoanelo Letsosa came into the starting line-up, whilst the young duo of Mitchell Robertson and Daniel Kelly also made their first starts of the 2022/23 campaign.

With no game over the weekend, the Bhoys had plenty of time to prepare ahead of their second group stage match in the UEFA Youth League.

The fixture being played at the Legia Warsaw training ground started brightly for Celtic, who were looking to impose themselves on the game right from the off.

Interestingly, Kenzie Carse, who is normally a central midfielder within this side, found himself playing right-back this afternoon and was picking up good areas in the inverted full-back role.

Despite a somewhat positive start, the young Hoops found themselves going 1-0 down around 25 minutes into the game.

The Shakhtar side showed their clinical edge in front of goal, as winger Oleksandr Yushchenko struck a powerful first-time effort from a low cross into the back of the net past Tobi Oluwayemi.

The Celts had some chances of their own in the opening 45 minutes through attacking duo Adam Brooks and Rocco Vata.

But they couldn’t take advantage and found themselves going in 1-0 down at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Shakhtar Donetsk doubled their lead and looked to be on their way to make it two wins from two in the group stage.

A volleyed effort by Ukrainian youngster Ivan Losenko appeared to be heading wide of the target. But, his strike took a deflection and ended up in the net.

The Hoops didn’t give up hope of picking up anything from the game, though, and were rewarded with a goal around 15 minutes from time.

Some good movement by striker Adam Brooks saw the Scotland under-19 internationalist pick up some space to meet Matthew Anderson’s cross into the box and head the ball home from close range.

Ultimately it wasn’t to be for the young Celtic side, who suffered another defeat to open their European campaign.

There should be some positives to take for the coaching staff, though, with the Bhoys showing the ability to compete against the Ukrainians at points during the game.

Now, it is about sustaining those levels and matching the sides within Group F for the entire 90 minutes.

Next up for the young Celts is a double-header of fixtures against the RB Leipzig under-19s side, starting with a visit to Germany at the beginning of next month.

In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou provides Oliver Abildgaard fitness update.