UEFA Youth League disappointment for Celtic

By John McGinley

October 11, 2022

Celtic U19s have been beaten 2-0 at home by RB Leipzig this afternoon, giving them an uphill task to qualify from Group F of the UEFA Youth League.

The young Hoops managed to pick up a brilliant result in Germany last week. That three points put them right in the hunt for second place and qualification for a knockout playoff spot.

However, early goals from Simon Schierack and Ohene Kohl gave today’s visitors an insurmountable advantage, with Celtic also going down to ten men before halftime after Kenzie Carse’s sending-off.

Leipzig continued to push for goals in the second half, and only fine stops from England U20s goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi prevented a heavier scoreline.

The result leaves Celtic bottom of the group on three points, with Leipzig on four, Shakhtar Donetsk on six and Real Madrid predictably streaking ahead on ten.

Mirroring the senior side’s group, the Bhoys now have a home match against the Ukrainians to look forward to before a difficult trip to Spain to face Real’s academy.

Clearly, Celtic are still in the hunt for qualification, but a win against Shakhtar is now a must, with a result needed abroad on the final matchday too.

Next up for the team coached by Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus is a trip to face Fulham in the Premier League International Cup before that pivotal fixture in matchday five fixture in Airdrie on 25th October.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou provides Jota latest as Celtic boss prepares for fitness decision.