Manchester City Brushed Aside by Celtic in NextGen Series

The NextGen series was launched this season with 16 European clubs competing in a competition dubbed as "the under-19s Champions League." 

Mimicking the senior squad’s current European malaise, Manchester City's Elite Development Squad last night made it three losses out of three with a home defeat by Celtic.

Last month Karim Rekik became City’s youngest ever overseas player, following his substitute appearance in the Carling Cup versus Birmingham. The 16-year-old shouldered the responsibility of the captain’s armband.

The evening began well for City, as Joan Roman opened the scoring after 10 minutes, tapping in from close range.

A driving run from frontman Harry Bunn down the left-hand channel forced a save out of Celtic goalkeeper Robbie Thomson. From two yards it was a simple finish for the young Spaniard.

The heavens proceeded to open, soaking the 825-strong crowd at Ewen Field.

Celtic took the initiative to flood forward in search of their equaliser. They were rewarded for their constant pressure on 25 minutes when a dreadful defensive mix-up between City keeper Angus Gunn and his defence allowed John Herron an easy strike on goal. 

City had lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but in a first half of incessant pressure from Celtic, Joan Roman and Alex Henshall were forced to come deep and protect the full-backs.

Those were actions with extremely limited success.

Henshall’s slight frame is not made for defending, but he made even less of an impression attacking, with only one run of note in the first 45 minutes. 

Clowes and Huws were unable to offer the back four sufficient protection as Celtic runners continually burst through the centre of the pitch.

Denis Suarez’s continual attempts of defence-splitting through balls gave possession back to the hoops in what was a frustrating evening for the promising 17-year-old. 

The creative responsibility of the side lies heavily upon Suarez and Roman, but the Spanish duo were unable to impose themselves upon the game as Celtic dominated.

Harry Bunn cast an isolated shadow up front, often chasing lost causes and miss-timed forward passes. 

The Celtic pressure was non-stop. They extended their lead six minutes before the interval when Paul George was allowed a free header from a corner.

Half time could not  come quick enough for the blues. The second half proved to be a lot more open, with City moving their midfield higher up the pitch.

On 59 minutes George completed his brace, with City conceding from yet another corner. Celtic demonstrated versatility in their set piece delivery, with a quick short corner allowing Dylan McGeouch the opportunity to run through the right hand side of the box before squaring it for the awaiting George. 

McGeouch has caused controversy in his fledgling career; moving from the Celtic academy to archrival Rangers, before making the move back to Parkhead this summer. Judging from his footwork in the creation of this goal, it is little wonder the Old Firm have battled over his signature.

City responded brightly, producing their best spell of the game. Whereas Henshall was on the fringes during the first half, he came to the forefront of every attack in the second, but was well marshalled by his opposing full-back. 

Denis Suarez reduced the deficit on 65 minutes with a superb curling left foot strike from the edge of the area—reminiscent of club mate Edin Dzeko’s recent goal vs. France.

City continued to press as they searched for the equaliser, with Karim Rekik breaking forward to support Meppen-Walter and Henshall on the left-hand side. 

Celtic seized on Rekik’s forward positioning with a swift break, with Anthony Watt firing in from the space exposed by City’s 16-year-old skipper. City’s revival had lasted a mere three minutes before Watt’s goal made it 4-2 and game over.

For the final 20 minutes the match followed a similar pattern of City pressure and Celtic break, with multiple chances created for both sides in horrendous weather conditions. 

Roman forced a good save from Robbie Thomson with a dipping free kick. From the resulting corner, Celtic regained position, working the ball into the right channel where Watt had a chance to double his goal tally. 

His shot had Angus Gunn beaten, but not the crossbar, as it ricocheted out for the City defence to clear.  

Manchester City

Gunn, Veseli, Meppen-Walter, Clowes (Drury, 71), Plummer (Coulson, 46), Rekik, Roman, Huws, Bunn, Suarez, Henshall 

Unused Subs

Halsall, King, Leigh, Cole, Hiwula 

Goals

Roman 10', Suarez 65'

Celtic

Thomson, Miller, Chalmers, F Twardzik, Fraser, Irvine, Herron (Atajic, 77), McGeouch, Watt, George (Murrell-Williamson, 72), McGregor 

Unused Subs

Feely, Findlay, Bogie, Alabi 

Goals

Herron 25', George 39', 59', Watt 68'