“They’re growing in confidence every game and they’re tough games,” McIntyre’s Bhoys’ first ever Southern League win

Tommy McIntyre’s Celtic B side followed up from their disappointing opening day 2-1 defeat at Bonnyrigg Rose and the frustrating home draw against East Kilbride, where the young Hoops conceded with the last kick of the ball in the 1-1 draw on Saturday, with a fine 5-1 away win against Stirling University at Forth Bank Stadium last night.

“I thought the first half was very tight,” the Celtic B team manager told Celtic TV after his side recorded a first ever victory in the Southern League. “They made it difficult the way they set up with the 4-4-2 and we found it difficult to find spaces,” McIntyre admitted. “We spoke to the players about being patient with it, and we told them the game would open up.

“We told the players to be calm, patient and not to be lazy on the ball. We made sure they moved the ball nice and quick and looked for those wee pockets in between and we got that and stretched them.

“On the transitions, we looked at whether we could get forward a bit quicker because sometimes in the first-half I thought we went backwards too often and I wanted them to be a wee bit positive. They did that and I thought they were outstanding with some fantastic goals.

“The first goal breeds that confidence. You get the goal and it relieves everyone because at 0-0 there’s still a bit of tension there. They were always a threat with the balls in behind but we got the goal and built from there,” the Celtic B team boss added.

Next up for McIntyre’s side is a home match, again in the Lowland League, against Berwick Rangers next Wednesday (4 August) at Celtic’s home venue this season at the Penny Cars Stadium over at Airdrie.

“We have a couple of wee knocks there so we’ll see how everyone is for next week,” McIntyre revealed. “It’s good to get on the winning trail and a good habit to get in. They’re growing in confidence every game and they’re tough games, they’re real testers for them but they’ll get used to it and you could see the big difference in them against Stirling.”

🎥 It ends in a resounding victory for the young Hoops in Stirling

Here is @CelticView's Tony Connelly summarising the game#CelticFCB 🍀 #OneClubSince1888 pic.twitter.com/SC1z9AU1HB

— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) July 28, 2021