B Team defeated by Celtic

Steven Naismith made two changes to the side that drew with Civil Service Strollers a fortnight ago. Makenzie Kirk and Mackenzie Ross replaced Callum Hambrook and Ryan Duncan.

The teams played out an entertaining draw when they met at Ferguson Park earlier in the season, but the home side went ahead inside the opening minute when a cross from the left found Bruno Davidson unmarked at the back post to slot home the opening goal.

It had been a fast start from the Hoops, and they almost doubled their lead after three minutes. Celtic won the ball high up the pitch and Davidson was again unmarked on the overlap, but this time Harry Stone was out alertly to deny him.

The Wee Jambos settled into the game following that fast start but were unable to seriously test Josh Clarke in the Celtic goal for the remainder of the first half.

Whatever Naismith said at half-time, it clearly had the desired effect as the men in maroon had two glorious opportunities in the opening minutes of the second half, both of which fell to substitute Ryan Duncan.

Firstly, Hearts broke forward at pace and Callum Sandilands teed up Duncan, to fire over before Clarke produced a magnificent save with his feet to deny the midfielder, who again found space inside the box.

Hearts almost gifted the home side a second, seven minutes after the break when losing possession inside their own box, but Harry Stone produced an excellent point-blank save to deny Joey Dawson.

The Wee Jambos squandered another chance after 73 minutes on another swift counter. Sandilands slipped in Bobby McLuckie and his dinked cross from Kirk was clawed away by Clarke.

The men in maroon threw everything at Celtic in the closing stages but were undone on the counter in the final minute as Corey Thomson tapped home an inviting cross from the right to seal the points.

Celtic B: Clarke, McPherson, Anderson ©, Lawal, Robertson, Carse, Davidson, Summers, Dawson, Letsosa, Quinn

Subs: Dede, Morrison, Mackenzie, Agbaire, Kelly, Thomson, Brooks

Hearts B: Stone, Flatman, Neilson, Tait ©, Sandilands, Kirk, Forrester, Rathie (Duncan, 42), McLuckie, Ross (Dall, 69), Nair

Subs: McFarlane, Smutek, Dall, Duncan, Friel, Chisholm, Crookston