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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Inside Ange's Celtic notebook during Glasgow Cup victory over Rangers as 4 kids catch boss’ eye in Ibrox drama

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has declared that he never stops – and that extends to the B team after he was spotted in the stands for their Glasgow Cup victory.

It was a dramatic night at Ibrox as Celtic's kids lifted the trophy after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory despite a three-goal fightback by Rangers leading to a dramatic conclusion. Corey Thomson was the hero for the Hoops, stepping up to net the winning spot kick. Postecoglou took in every second of the showdown alongside chairman Peter Lawwell and CEO Michael Nicholson and was spotted taking notes throughout the game.

The Parkhead boss has been introducing young prospects to the first-team squad this term with several youngsters given the chance to train with the first-team at Lennoxtown as they look to step up from the Lowland League. But who is likely to have caught the eye and made it into the Australian's notebook after their display in Govan?

In the final third, Rocco Vata continued to impress for the B team. The 18-year-old was vital for the visitors after crossing for Adam Brooks to net the second goal for Celtic – and moments later Postecoglou was spotted writing something down.

Not content with an assist, Vata got himself on the scoresheet as he cut in on the right flank to fire beyond Rangers' shot stopper Lewis Budinauckas. He has already managed four appearance off the bench in the Scottish Premiership this term, and will be hoping for an extended run before the end of the current campaign.

Celtic's Rocco Vata celebrates making it 3-0 against Rangers in the Glasgow Cup (SNS Group)

Speaking of Brooks, having already found the net with a thunderous drive that crashed in off the bar the midfielder turned provider for Vata's strike with an inch-perfect pass to the right flank. The midfielder will hope that he has played his way into the thinking of Postecoglou.

Full-back Matthew Anderson will be in a similar mindset going into the final four fixtures of the season. The 19-year-old has yet to make an appearance under the Australian but produced an eye-catching performance on the left flank.

He drove the side forward and showed that the Angeball philosophy is feeding into the B team. He nicked the ball off Rangers star Lewis MacKinnon in his own box before driving forward to tee up Brooks for the opener. Will Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei be looking over their shoulder?

Playmaker Ben Summers will also have continued to impress the boss having trained regularly with the first team over the past few months alongside the likes of Vata. The highly-rated 18-year-old made his Celtic top-team debut this term and will hope an assured performance at Ibrox sees him return to the fold.

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