The Celtic B side have picked up a big Lowland League win away to their Rangers counterparts this afternoon, surging to a 3-1 victory at Ibrox.
It was a big test for Darren O’Dea, Stephen McManus and the team to go to Govan today, facing the club’s arch-rivals in front of partisan support and inside a large arena.
Things didn’t go to plan early on when Arron Lyall netted for the home side from the edge of the area. But the Bhoys showed the fortitude to rally, get themselves back in the game then punish their opponents.
Ben Quinn got the scoring underway just before the stroke of half-time with a close-range finish, shortly after Rangers went down to ten men. The youngster then pushed the Bhoys ahead with a half-volleyed effort after 54 minutes.
Adam Brooks piled on the misery four minutes later with Celtic’s third before Rangers went down to nine men after Bailey Rice received a second yellow card for a challenge on Matthew Anderson. Then, unbelievably, they had a third sending-off late on after another tackle on Anderson.
The win was especially notable considering a couple of the B team’s top talents, Ben Summers and Rocco Vata, missed out on today’s game and travelled with the senior side to play Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic B in the hunt for success after beating Rangers
The victory ensures Celtic keep the heat on league leaders Spartans at the top of the Lowland League, who are just three points ahead of the Bhoys with three games remaining. Crucially, the Celtic youngsters have leapfrogged Rangers into second place today and now sit one point ahead of them.
Although Celtic B can’t earn a promotion, winning a title would be a superb achievement. Even if that does not transpire, finishing ahead of the young Rangers players would also be a feather in their cap.
The Bhoys now have two away games in quick succession against Dalbeattie Star and Caledonian Braves, before finishing up at home to East Stirlingshire on April 15th.
Congratulations to the players on their derby success today and the best of luck for what’s to come!
In other news, Iwata verdict, impact subs; 3 things we learned as Celtic beat Ross County.
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