McManus and Low on target as Dons defeat Celtic

Celtic U20 1 | Twardzik 29′

Aberdeen U20 2 | McManus 39′, Low 60 (Pen)’

SPFL U20 League | Tuesday 21st January 2014 | Cappielow | 2pm | FT

Match summary:

Aberdeen’s U20 side claimed the three points this afternoon as they defeated Celtic after a fantastic performance in atrocious conditions at Cappielow. Declan McManus cancelled out Celtic’s 29th minute opener on 39′ before Nicky Low scored a penalty on the hour mark to hand the Dons maximum points.

The champions opened the scoring in 29 minutes when Twardzik thumped the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

In the first half Danny Rogers had made 3 good saves to deny Celtic including a save from his own defender, Craig Murray. The young Dons had played well though and Scott Wright had a good chance after being sent through by Nicky Low but he hit his shot across the keeper and past the post. The visitors were also denied what looked like two penalty kicks- firstly when Cammy Smith was brought down in the area before Low was felled a few minutes later.

The young Dons grabbed a deserved equaliser on 39 minutes when Low swung in a good corner that Declan McManus rose well to and headed home.

HT 1-1

After the break Aberdeen continued to press the home side and Scott Wright drew a great save from Fasan in the Celtic goal with a curling effort. Then- on the hour mark- they were finally awarded a penalty when McManus was tripped in the box. Nicky Low stepped up to take the kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to give the young reds the lead.

And they continued to have most of the possession after the goal- Low trying an effort before a first time volley from Wright forced Fasan into another save. Towards the end of the game, Celtic piled on pressure and threw everything at the young Dons but McKenna in particular was in fine form to deny Celtic. Danny Rogers showed good handling in the terrible conditions as the Dons ran out 2-1 victors.

Aberdeen team | Rogers, Murray, Kelly (Campanile 46′), Clark, McKenna, Duguid, Wright, O’Neill, McManus, Smith (McMahon 82′), Low.

Substitutes not used | Burns, O’Sullivan, Jones, Petrie

Celtic team | Fasan, Kidd, Chalmers (Waters 70), McManus, Fraser (Kelleher 70), O’Connell, Herron, Henderson (Miller 76), Atajic, Lindsay, Twardzik

Substitutes not used | Hart, Donnelly, Thomson, Tierney

Neil Cooper Reaction:

“Delighted with the result. To be fair Celtic started off better- they’re triangular movement caused a bit of a problem. The first goal we lost was poor from our point of view- they played a 1-2 and got behind us, a good cut back and a tremendous finish from Twardzik. Danny had no chance.

“That set us back a wee bit but we created a couple of chances ourselves- breakaways when Nicky Low got through there. Danny had two really good saves to keep us in the game but then we get the equaliser from a corner kick. Nicky with a great delivery and Declan’s made a great near post run and a great header to make it one each at half time.

“Again we spoke to the boys at half time about their movement in the middle of the park to make sure we were passing on and we were communicating to each other and I thought we did that a lot better in the second half.

“There were chances at both ends but the second goal we got was good hold up play by Cammy and again he put Declan through, he’s had really good feet and the defenders committed the foul. It’s a great penalty kick from Nicky. He’s capable of doing that and it gave us that 2-1 lead. From then on I thought we played really well, defended well and had some good counter attacks.”

We can confirm the details for our forthcoming U20 match as follows:

MATCH: Aberdeen U20 v St Mirren U20

COMPETITION: SPFL U20 League

DATE: Tuesday 28th January 2014

VENUE: Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead

KICK-OFF: 2pm

Match preview with Scott Wright:

If you’re in a hurry for a name to look out for in 2014, here’s one – Scott Wright

The modern game of football demands pace like at no other time in its history. With Peter Pawlett, Mark Reynolds, Niall McGinn, Jonny Hayes, Gregg Wylde and Josh Magennis, the first team squad have their fair share of speedsters.

Scott Wright, of the U20 side, has that same lightning pace, plus an awful lot of skill proving once again that the hard work done by the Youth Academy in recent years is paying off. He has employed those talents all over the pitch, before settling on his current wide role.

“At the start of my career, I was a central midfielder. I then got pushed up front and then out to the wing. It is probably the best position for me as my strength is my speed and ability to take players on, but there are still a few areas I need to work on, like my heading and I need to build up my strength. I am doing a lot of work now with Sports Scientist Graham Kirk, he’s working with all the young boys as well as the senior players. I think you will really see the benefits of having him on board over the years to come.

“I am from Balmedie and went to Balmedie Primary school and then Bridge of Don Academy. I have been with Aberdeen since I was 10 years old. I was playing for Stoneywood Dyce Boys club against Glentanar and Ricky Cheyne, who was an AFC scout, was also their coach at the time and he recommended me to Aberdeen. I went in for trials and have been here ever since. I joined the Youth Academy and played for the U10s. I was with the club all the way through and turned professional this year.

“Throughout my time at the Academy I have had a wave of coaches and must thank them all for my development and for my making it this far. My Dad is probably the biggest influence on my career. All the way along he was there to help me and, along with my mum, they gave me the support needed. One or both of them would try and make it along to every game I have ever played. It is a huge commitment. My mum missed my first goal for the U20s against Hearts! Lucky she was able to see it on RedTV!

“I am an Aberdeen supporter. I used to come along to the games with my dad when I could and then we got taken along on a Saturday with the Academy. I used to enjoy watching Ryan Fraser. He was the type of player who got you on the edge of your seat when he got the ball. Niall McGinn is also a player I enjoyed watching, and Peter Pawlett. It was a bit weird at first when I came in full time. These players I used to watch and idolise, now I am seeing them every day and cleaning their boots! I was quite taken aback with how normal they are with you. Everyone speaks to you. Niall has taken me aside a few times and offered me advice. I really appreciate that. The senior, older guys have also been really good with me, the likes of Russell, Willo and Chris Clark.

That is the nice thing about this club. All the senior players, youth players and staff all mix. There is a really good atmosphere around the place.

“I am loving being a professional footballer. It is the only thing I wanted to do. One of my friends asked me what I would do if I was not a professional footballer. To be honest I have no idea. I had the mindset and have dedicated everything to achieving this goal and I want to do this for the rest of my life. People say it is the best job in the world and it certainly is, but if I want to make it to the next level I have a lot of work ahead of me.

“The hardest thing to get used to was the physicality. It took a while to get used to training every day. It takes a while for your body to get used to it. It is probably only now I am fully getting into the swing of things.

“Neil Cooper has been fantastic. He praises you when you are playing well and he will tell you when you are playing badly. He will tell you exactly what you are doing wrong. He tells you what areas you have to improve on. He forces you to step it up and is always looking for you to keep improving,

“Getting a professional contract came as a bit of a surprise. I was playing for the U15s and only had half a season at U17 level, so that made me think I would not get a contract this year. I can still play for the U17s, so I thought I would be playing for them most of this season.

“I certainly did not expect to get such a big opportunity for the U20s this year. Football is all about taking your opportunity when it is given to you – you might not always get a second chance. I got my first start for the U20s against St Mirren at the start of September. The senior side were playing Viking FK the next day so a lot of the regular boys were involved in that game, allowing me to get a chance. I was quite nervous for the first five minutes, but once you get into the game the nerves disappear. I tried to sleep on the bus so I did not have to think too much about. Considering we had such a young team out that day, we did well to draw 0-0.

“I then got another start against Hearts in October. I scored the first goal that night and also had a couple of assists in the 5-0 win. Scoring my first goal was an immense feeling. I still remember it well! Marcus Campanile took a throw in and made a run inside. I tried to hit a shot with my left foot and the defender blocked it. The ball came back out to me so I nutmegged the centre-half, took a touch before hitting it and the ball just flew into the net. It was such a good feeling. I also scored against Dunfermline and have had a few more assists along the way.

“It is quite a big step up from the 17s to the 20s. It is a lot more physical. You have to be so much more switched on and have to focus for the full 90 minutes. Your body takes a quite pounding! It is hugely beneficial for the young players like myself to be playing alongside senior players like Chris Clark and Barry Robson. It is so good for your football education, you learn so much. They have also helped us get better results and they improve the morale inside the dressing room.

“My goal at the start of the season was just to be involved with the U20s and maybe get a few games here and there and off the bench. I am just taking each game as it comes and enjoying it.

“I have also been called up by Scotland this year and was involved in the U17 squad. I got called up in November and was meant to be away at the start of January with the squad but had to withdraw because of injury. I am delighted to be involved with Scotland and that can only help with my development.”

“I have also been called up by Scotland this year and was involved in the U17 squad. I got called up in November and was meant to be away at the start of January with the squad but had to withdraw because of injury. I am delighted to be involved with Scotland and that can only help with my development.”