RANGERS Under-19s remain in the hunt for the CAS Elite League crown after a 2-0 Old Firm victory at the Rangers Training Centre.
Goals either side of half-time from 15-year-old Luca Rankin and captain Aiden McCallion proved the difference on a day where the young Gers moved back to the summit of the league standings on goal difference with two games remaining.
It was earned through another impressive performance from the side, which contained three 2010-born players in the starting lineup and a cameo appearance for forward Ruaridh Hall, also 15, in the second period.
Dundee United and St. Mirren represent Rangers’ remaining two league fixtures as they look to get their hands on silverware in the same month where the Under-17s clinched their own league championship.
From the side’s previous outing against Clyde last month, in came the youthful presence of Ashton Scally, Kyle Glasgow, Rankin and Conor Owen.
It was a lively start in Milngavie as Glasgow snapped immediately into a few challenges and curled just over from an ensuing free-kick inside three minutes.
Opportunity soon beckoned for Max Cameron when he strode onto an Arran Kerr knockdown and had an effort blocked, while from the resulting corner Jack Wyllie rose highest unmarked but could only power his header straight down the throat of Marcus Gill.
The visitors threatened for the first time when Thomas Hatton advanced down the right-hand side with a neat stepover and flashed just wide of the far post.
There was no stopping the Gers just moments later, however, as they broke the deadlock through a terrific strike.
It was an initial pass inside from Kerr which created the space initially for Rankin who immediately shifted the ball onto his left side and arrowed a wonderful strike which cannoned off the post and into the back of the net off the Celtic goalkeeper.
A quickfire second almost arrived when Cameron pinched possession deep in the Celtic half and he fed Aiden McCallion. The midfielder had only Gill to beat, but he was thwarted by a terrific stop from the goalkeeper as he looked to open up his body and curl into the far corner.
The hosts were almost made to pay when the away side fashioned an opportunity down the other end. They were grateful for Alfie Halliwell whose reactions were wonderful in tipping the ball onto the woodwork.
Rankin’s display in midfield certainly belied his tender age, and he raced through on the break just minutes into the second half when released by Zebedee Lawson, but after shifting the ball magnificently onto his left side he could only shoot straight at the Celtic goalkeeper.
Seven minutes later, however, the second goal arrived for the home side.
It was another of the 2010-born products who was the architect as Glasgow danced beyond Hassan Dembele before being tripped by the full-back. The referee pointed to the penalty spot where McCallion assumed the ball and confidently stroked down the middle of Gill’s goal to double Rangers’ advantage.
Matters were compounded for the visitors on the hour-mark when they were reduced to ten men after Conor Daly, who went down near Kerr in the penalty area, was shown a second yellow card for simulation.
The man advantage almost paid off nine minutes later when McCallion was denied his second of the contest when he met a sclaffed Kerr effort from a tight angle but could only watch his header being cleared off the goalline.
Lucas Clearie threatened to reduce the arrears for the visitors when he drew a save from Halliwell.
A direct inswinging corner from Glasgow then almost caught out the Celtic goalkeeper on his goalline, while Halliwell, an impressive performer between the posts, did well to deny Clearie once again in the dying embers after the forward was threaded in-behind.
The young Gers were able to see out the remainder of the contest to secure a priceless three points.
RANGERS: Halliwell, Kerr, Wyllie, Owen, Scally (Wark, 87), McCallion, Crilly (Fernie, 66), Rankin (Young, 82), Lawson (Hall, 66), Cameron, Glasgow
Subs not used: S. Reid, J. Reid, Fergusson
CELTIC: Gill, Dembele (Cameron, 78), Haney (Sedwell, 69), Charlton, Borland, Kennedy, Hatton (Mulgrew, 62), Meechan, Clearie, Daly, Obidiwe (Watt, 69)
Subs not used: Meikle, Cingel, Anderson
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