mccourt shines as special reserves continue run

David Friel
PADDY McCOURT stole the show with two sublime individual strikes as Celtic reserves beat Hibernian 3-1 at Lennoxtown on Tuesday afternoon.

The gifted Irishman turned on the style with a virtuoso performance in the first 45 minutes – scoring twice and totally running the show from his attacking position.

Fabian Yantorno’s penalty had made the score 2-1 at the break but Celtic never really looked under serious pressure and Koki Mizuno’s clinical third in the closing stages sealed the points for Willie McStay’s league leaders.

McCourt, playing just off Ben Hutchinson in attack, looked in the mood from the off and Hibs had no answer to his direct style and slaloming runs.

In five minutes, he played in Hutchinson inside the box with a lovely reverse pass but the Celtic striker was crowded out as he tried to shoot. McCourt then left four Hibs defenders for dead, but his shot flew wide.

The visitors were on the back foot, but responded in 10 minutes. Ross Campbell was sent clear down the left wing and he raced into the box, before slamming a shot wide of the post.

Niall McGinn, meeting a Ryan Conroy cross, sent a shot over the bar as Celtic continued to press for the opener. It arrived in 15 minutes and McCourt was the man on target.

Picking up possession 40 yards from goal, he drove at the Hibs defence, glided past three challenges and then rolled an instinctive shot into the bottom corner, leaving the bewildered Andy McNeil with no chance.

Hutchinson twice came close as Celtic dominated. Mizuno also flashed a free-kick inches over the bar as Hibs struggled to contain the Hoops.

Yet, the Easter Road side were handed a lifeline on the half-hour mark. Alan O’Brien picked out Campbell at the back post and Conroy was penalised for handball as he shut him down. Yantorno’s penalty was emphatic.

Mizuno, Hutchinson and Mark Millar all had efforts on goal, but Hibs were putting up a better fight and Conroy had to clear off the line after a bout of pressure.

It looked as if the sides would go in level at the break, but another piece of McCourt genius gave Celtic the lead. In a carbon copy of his first goal, he left almost the entire Hibs defence in his wake before rifling a left-foot shot into the corner.

Hibs defender, Ewan Moyes, had the first attempt of the second half with a header, but Celtic also came close when McCourt fed Mizuno and his shot soared over the bar.

McGinn sent an effort wide of target and Hutchinson also threatened. McCourt threaded a wonderful pass into the box, but McNeil covered the near-post well.

In 72 minutes, Mark Millar – who kept Celtic ticking over in midfield all afternoon – accepted a McCourt pass and crashed a 25-yard shot off the post. At the other end, Campbell sent a scorching volley inches wide of target.

Celtic were still searching for the goal that would kill the game and Mizuno provided it in 82 minutes. Taking the ball on the left wing, he raced across the edge of the box and planted a superb finish beyond McNeil.

This was a good workout for McStay’s men, who remain on course for an eighth successive title. January signing Milan Misun was diligent in defence, while Massimo Donati stepped up his return to fitness with an assured display.

Scottish Premier Reserve League
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Lennoxtown Training Ground
CELTIC…3
(McCourt 16, 45, Mizuno 82)
HIBERNIAN…1
(Yantorno 30 pen)
CELTIC (4-4-2) Fox; Doumbe, Marr, Misun, Conroy; McGinn (Carey 85), Millar, Donati (Tidser 88), McCourt (Cawley 88); Mizuno, Hutchinson
Subs not used: Giordano, Santonocito, Lafferty, McGlinchey
HIBERNIAN: McNeil; Van Zanten, Booth, Thicot, Moyes, Tolmie, Cropley, Pinau, Campbell, Yantorno, O’Brien
Subs: Flynn, Wilson, Welsh, Gray, Deane
WEBSITE MAN OF THE MATCH: Paddy McCourt