Celtic's development side progressed into the fifth round of the SFA Youth Cup after a dominant display over Dundee United at Tannadice today.
From the moment the first whistle blew Celtic knocked the ball around swiftly and sharply controlling much of the possession. With Celtic first team player Liam Henderson starting in midfield, the Bhoys had a player who controlled the game excellently from deeper positions and was a constant influence in most attacks.
At 11 minutes, Celtic took a deserved lead after a looping cross was headed away by a United defender before falling to Joe Thomson who lashed a venomous volley from 18 yards box into the back of the net.
Only three minutes later, Celtic could have easily doubled their lead after fine play on the right flank by Paul McMullan allowed Kieran Tierney a one on one, however, United's keeper Ryan Booth palmed Tierney's effort wide of the post.
As the first half continued, United still sat very deep allowing Celtic space on the ball whilst hoping to hit them on the counter attack. United did look dangerous whenever former Celt Scott Lochhead was on the ball. The midfielder showed glimpses of skill, composure and speed to help United on the rare occasion to drive forward. Much of United's game plan was to play the ball into the flanks for speedy striker Ola Adeyemo to catch on to, however, throughout the game, the London born youngster struggled to hold the ball up to any great effect.
Just after 20 minutes, Celtic had Stuart Findlay's instinctive finish from inside the box cancelled out after the defender was rightly judged offside.
However, it didn't matter and Celtic made it two seconds later. After more good work from Henderson on the left, he fired a low cross into the box that took a cruel deflection of fullback Jamie Robson and into the top corner.
Second half
Five minutes into the second half, the influential Henderson hit a curling 30 yard free kick off the outside off the post as Celtic showed no sign of drying up their appetite for goals.
Had it not been for a number of impressive saves from Scotland Under 17's international Ryan Booth, Celtic could have easily added a lot more goals to the scoreline.
Celtics' pressure paid off exactly on the hour mark when Breslin brilliantly jinked past two defenders before wipping a low ball into the path of McMullan, who slotted calmly past Booth and into the net for 3-0.
With ten minutes to go, neat interplay between Lochhead and Rafa Malaga on the left flank saw the ball return to Lochhead outside the box whose shot was gathered by Celtics' goalkeeper Hart.
Booth was again forced into another excellent save when a free kick was chipped inside the box to Tierney who spectacularly attempted an overhead kick that was tipped wide by the busy Booth.
It wasn't until the last few minutes that Celtic goalkeeper Jordan Hart was properly tested. Evan Horne struck a brilliant cross inside the box to Adeyemo, although the resulting header was punched clear by Hart.
Fulltime Dundee United 0 - 3 Celtic
Men of the match Celtic- Liam Henderson and Joe Thomson
Men of the match Dundee United- Scott Lochhead and Evan Horne.
From the moment the first whistle blew Celtic knocked the ball around swiftly and sharply controlling much of the possession. With Celtic first team player Liam Henderson starting in midfield, the Bhoys had a player who controlled the game excellently from deeper positions and was a constant influence in most attacks.
At 11 minutes, Celtic took a deserved lead after a looping cross was headed away by a United defender before falling to Joe Thomson who lashed a venomous volley from 18 yards box into the back of the net.
Only three minutes later, Celtic could have easily doubled their lead after fine play on the right flank by Paul McMullan allowed Kieran Tierney a one on one, however, United's keeper Ryan Booth palmed Tierney's effort wide of the post.
As the first half continued, United still sat very deep allowing Celtic space on the ball whilst hoping to hit them on the counter attack. United did look dangerous whenever former Celt Scott Lochhead was on the ball. The midfielder showed glimpses of skill, composure and speed to help United on the rare occasion to drive forward. Much of United's game plan was to play the ball into the flanks for speedy striker Ola Adeyemo to catch on to, however, throughout the game, the London born youngster struggled to hold the ball up to any great effect.
Just after 20 minutes, Celtic had Stuart Findlay's instinctive finish from inside the box cancelled out after the defender was rightly judged offside.
However, it didn't matter and Celtic made it two seconds later. After more good work from Henderson on the left, he fired a low cross into the box that took a cruel deflection of fullback Jamie Robson and into the top corner.
Second half
Five minutes into the second half, the influential Henderson hit a curling 30 yard free kick off the outside off the post as Celtic showed no sign of drying up their appetite for goals.
Had it not been for a number of impressive saves from Scotland Under 17's international Ryan Booth, Celtic could have easily added a lot more goals to the scoreline.
Celtics' pressure paid off exactly on the hour mark when Breslin brilliantly jinked past two defenders before wipping a low ball into the path of McMullan, who slotted calmly past Booth and into the net for 3-0.
With ten minutes to go, neat interplay between Lochhead and Rafa Malaga on the left flank saw the ball return to Lochhead outside the box whose shot was gathered by Celtics' goalkeeper Hart.
Booth was again forced into another excellent save when a free kick was chipped inside the box to Tierney who spectacularly attempted an overhead kick that was tipped wide by the busy Booth.
It wasn't until the last few minutes that Celtic goalkeeper Jordan Hart was properly tested. Evan Horne struck a brilliant cross inside the box to Adeyemo, although the resulting header was punched clear by Hart.
Fulltime Dundee United 0 - 3 Celtic
Men of the match Celtic- Liam Henderson and Joe Thomson
Men of the match Dundee United- Scott Lochhead and Evan Horne.