Tommy McIntyre’s Celtic B team’s 3-3 draw with Gretna FC 2008 – a new club not pretending to be something they are not after the former club was liquidated – sounds a cracker of a game on the scoreline alone, but when you consider Celtic came from behind twice in the game, and nearly grabbed a winner right at the death, then you’d have to say the never say die spirit of Celtic’s youthful side is certainly in keeping with the Celtic tradition of playing for the win until the referees final whistle blows.
With Gretna 2008 speeding into a two-goal lead by half time, Celtic responded strongly after the break. And it was two players who have already seen first team action this season who drew on their experiences to get Celtic level, as first central defender Dane Murray, who impressed early in the season for Ange Postecoglou’s first team, grabbed the first of the comeback goals from a corner and it was a more recent graduate, who nearly topped of his dream Boxing Day debut against St Johnstone with a late goal, Joey Dawson who grabbed the leveller.
The challenge however wasn’t over as Gretna 2008 responded by retaking the lead and Celtic had to dig deep again. And they did just that with Ben Wylie underlining why he’s earmarked as a talent for the future and continued his excellent form this season with the goal to level the game at three apiece.
🎥 Captain Brody Paterson speaking after today’s draw against Gretna 2008!
🗣️ “We know how hard we fought back in the second half… On another day we’re on double figures for goals”#LowlandLeague 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/i7AWZ135Z5
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) January 15, 2022
Celtic then went about turning the screw and looking for the winner and when Gretna 2008 went down to ten men with sixteen minutes to play opportunity knocked for a Celtic side looking for a seventh consecutive win. Sadly, it wasn’t to be despite a 90th minute Brody Patterson effort cracking off the post.
Celtic and Tommy McIntyre may well be disappointed their impressive winning run in the Lowland League has been interrupted, but given the ebb and flow of the game made for a challenging encounter, to come from behind not once but twice showed the ability of the Celtic B team is matched by the spirit within the camp. And considering it is very much men against Bhoys in the Lowland League, it shows real strength of character to go up against far more experienced opponents and grab a 3-3 draw.
🎥 Manager Tommy McIntyre reacting to today’s 3-3 draw with Gretna 2008!#LowlandLeague 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/SUzC5hC9uc
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) January 15, 2022
While yesterday’s result may have been disappointing the performance and recovery is bound to have impressed coaches Darren O’Dea and Tommy McIntyre and it is clear they have instilled a strong belief into their youthful side.
Next Saturday Celtic are on their Lowland League travels as they go to East Peffermill to face Edinburgh University as they look to get back to winning ways again. The same attitude exhibited against Gretna 2008 will certainly hold them in good stead for that one.
Niall J
And for those who missed this one on The Celtic Star, here’s a catch-up chance to check out the photographs given to this site by the former Celtic Director Tom Grant of the demolition of the old Celtic Park and in its place the emergence of the New Celtic Park which we know and love today. These photographs are fascinating and well worth checking out on the link below…
READ THIS…Exclusive – A Phoenix Rising, a House of Steel. Celtic Park Redevelopment Photographs
