Karamoko Dembele scores as Celtic B end league season on high with crucial pressure on rivals

By John McGinley

April 16, 2022

Celtic B have signed off from the Scottish Lowland Football League season with a 3-0 victory away to Broomhill this afternoon.

Johnny Kenny opened the scoring after a slick team move allowed him to tap in from close range.

Karamoko Dembele then not only won a penalty but also converted from the spot to send Tommy McIntyre’s team on their way to a comfortable victory.

Adam Brooks rounded off the scoring late on after a classy assist from Rocco Vata.

The result means Celtic B end the league season on 73 points from 34 matches.

That moves them up to second position behind league winners Bonnyrigg Rose, who beat Celtic’s runners-up rivals East Kilbride today. It also means they have a chance of finishing ahead of Rangers B, who hold a game in hand.

The Rangers youth side are three points behind and play Dalbeattie Star next week. If they win that one then they’ll finish above the Bhoys on goal difference.

That’s not a foregone conclusion though considering Dalbeattie beat them earlier in the campaign.

Although there’s been a disappointment in individual league matches against Rangers this season, it’d be a job well done if the youngsters could finish above them in the table. Today was crucial in that regard.

The two sides are also due to meet in the Glasgow Cup semi-final, so there is a chance to seek revenge for the mid-week derby defeat at Celtic Park.

The Celtic B project has been a fun one to follow this season, giving us regular insight into the progression of players coming through Lennoxtown.

With plans already in place to repeat the project next term, we can look forward to seeing more development from the youngsters over the next 12 months.

Who knows? Some of this current crop might even be regularly seen in the first-team squad by then.

In other news, Former Celtic hero Aiden McGeady discusses his next career steps at 36.