Scottish Lowland League
Friday, December 29, 2023
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

CELTIC… 7
(Vata 25, Kelly 40, Cummings 53, 60, Dobbie 64, Ure 78, Quinn 83)

GRETNA 2008… 0

Celtic FC B rounded off 2023 by putting on an impressive show at the Excelsior Stadium as they ran out emphatic 7-0 winners over Gretna on Friday evening.

After taking a 2-0 lead in at the break thanks to goals from Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly, the Bhoys continued to dominate proceedings heading into the second half.

And a further four players got themselves on the scoresheet as Daniel Cummings grabbed a double, and substitutes Lewis Dobbie, Kyle Ure and Ben Quinn made their impact from the bench.

Straight from kick-off, the Bhoys took control of the match and dominated the ball throughout, forcing the Gretna shot-stopper into a number of early saves.

However, they didn’t have to wait long to make the pressure count as Rocco Vata added to his tally for the season by opening the scoring.

Latching on to a clever long ball over the top of the Gretna defence, the Irishman’s first touch allowed him time to compose himself, before slotting the ball into the corner at the near post.

Although the Hoops had made that early dominance count as the half-time break approached, it didn’t appear as though they would have much to show.

But five minutes before the break, Daniel Kelly grabbed Celtic’s second goal of the night with a clever touch and finish.

And the Hoops started the second half in ideal fashion, with Daniel Cummings scored his first of two strikes after picking up the ball inside the area, before producing a tidy finish beyond the Gretna goalkeeper.

The forward’s second strike followed shortly after, and it was a terrifically-taken effort as he smashed the ball in off the underside of the bar, which proved to be his final action of the match, being replaced on the hour mark.

After going through a tough period with injuries throughout the squad, the young Hoops were able to showcase their strength from the bench, introducing more firepower as the game headed into the final 30 minutes.

And those substitutes proved to be extremely effective, with three players coming off the bench to make their mark in front of goal.

The first was Lewis Dobbie, who grabbed his second goal in as many games, running through on goal and slotting the ball into the bottom corner, just moments after entering the pitch.

Kyle Ure was next to grab a goal, and it was another spectacular strike from the midfielder, who lobbed the goalkeeper on the left-hand side.

The scoring was rounded off as the match entered the closing stages by Ben Quinn, who showed fantastic composure to latch on to the end of Ure’s pass, before dinking the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper and having the simplest of tasks to tap home into an empty net.

Victory over Gretna rounded off what has been a strong end to 2023 for the young Celtic side, who can include lifting the Glasgow Cup as one of their achievements during this year.

The Bhoys are quickly back in action in 2024 as they welcome Broomhill to the Excelsior Stadium next Friday evening (January 5), aiming to build upon a terrific result and performance in Airdrie.

CELTIC: Morrison, Dede, Robertson (Quinn 61), Agbaire, Mackenzie, McCarthy (Ure 61), Vata, Carse (Thomson 70), Cummings (Cummings 61), Kelly (Dargie 70), Frame.
Subs: McLean, McArdle

Celtic B sign off 2023 with a magnificent seven against Gretna 08