All eyes were on Hampden as Celtic triumphed over Rangers in a Scottish Youth Cup final goal-fest.
Eleven times the net was found on the night, with the Parkhead youngsters coming out on top 6-5 after extra time. There were brilliant individual goals, painful blunders, penalties and even a red-card as Rangers’ was sent off having been adjudged to have divved on two separate instances.
These occasions always bring out a host of noteworthy interested observers, among them Ange Postecoglou and Neil Banfield. Next to Postecolou sat Peter Lawwell, and dotted around were the likes of Robbie Neilson and Owen Coyle.
They were certainly treated to an entertaining affair, albeit perhaps not one for the defensive purists. Here are six players who caught the eye.
KYLE URE (CELTIC)
When all around him were seemingly feeling the weight of the occasion in the opening exchanges, the Celtic captain was a picture of calmness and composure. The frenetic nature of these derbies at any level demands somebody step into the frenzy and instil some control, and Ure was the first player to make his mark on the game.
The centre midfielder was always an option for his team-mates as they sought to build from the back, and was consistently textbook in receiving and distributing the ball. In fact, it’s difficult to recall the 17-year-old misplacing a pass all evening.
Also striking was a level of maturity in his understanding of the game, more than once was Ure on hand to cut out a pass or make a tackle to stop attacks at source.
JACK ROBERTS (RANGERS)
This was very much an evening for the attackers, and Roberts showed he certainly knows where the goal is with two well-taken finishes. With his first, he displayed the awareness to beat a wonky Celtic backline in behind before keeping his cool to slot home beyond Jamie Meikle.
The second really should have been cut out by the Celtic keeper, but Roberts was In the right place to meet Zak Lovelace’s ball across the box, and his positioning left the simplest of finishes. It wasn’t all about his goalscoring either, the 18-year-old Englishman’s hold-up play was tidy and clever.
COREY THOMSON (CELTIC)
On a night that bore witness to some very tidy finishes, the Celtic winger may just stake a claim as having scored the best of the lot. The Parkhead kids hadn’t really found their feet in the early stages, and were dealt a blow by Roberts’ opener with their defence in disarray.
But as it did a few times apiece, the match swung on the sudden and decisive contributions of the attacking players. No sooner had Celtic levelled through Mitchel Frame then they were ahead, and it was all down to Thomson’s inventiveness.
A slick Celtic move found the 17-year-old in a dangerous pocket of space, but still with plenty to do it. One clever chop inside later, however, the goal opened up for Thomson and he swept an excellent finish away from keeper Jacob Pazikas.
BAILEY RICE (RANGERS)
A composed figure in midfield for Rangers, Rice has already made his senior debut, coming on against St Mirren in place of Ryan Kent at St Mirren in February. Like his engine room opposite number Ure, the 16-year-old was tasked with bringing some order to the chaos.
Not only could he keep possession, though, Rice really did trouble Celtic at times by passing through them. What often sets players apart at this level is the ability to consistently make the right decision, something all the more important in the middle of the park when it’s you being relied upon to make the right passes.
Rice was consistently impressive in that regard, mixing up his passes short and long to good effect. He’s a player who already has a considerable level of expectation around him, and on this evidence it feels justified.
BENNY-JACKSON LUYEYE (CELTIC)
In a game already littered with goals and memorable moments, it's not easy to make an impact off the bench.
Mind you, the Celtic winger's bright pink boots ensured he stood out the moment he stepped onto the pitch. It's generally acceptedf that to get away with a such a choice of footwear, you need to be a bit of a player.
Luyeye, however, had little trouble living up to that billing. The 18-year-old winger caused a tiring Rangers all sorts of problems down the right flank, beating his man at will and delivering dangerous crosses into the box.
He should've had an assist when a pinpoint ball into the box was somehow headed over from six yards. But Luyeye got what he deserved for his efforts in the end, weaving a way into the box and finding Lewis Dobbie to backheel home Celtic's sixth of the night.
ARCHIE STEVENS (RANGERS)
The diminutive Rangers forward may just feel he can stake a strong claim against Thomson for the goal of the evening. Stevens picked the ball up in midfield and was rewarded for a driving run through midfield.
Granted, Celtic’s defence was completely posted missing for a moment, but Stevens still had plenty to do. A drop of the shoulder while moving at pace opened up space for a shot and he drove the ball low into the far corner.
The 17-year-old’s close control was impressive throughout, including one instance where the ball was smashed at him from a good 30 yards away, but he pulled it in and weaved his way away from a number of Celtic shirts.
