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"Football without fans is nothing - Jock Stein"

	EIGHT IN A ROW	210 Tage her
	A MAGNIFICENT strike from Simon Ferry sealed an eighth consecutive Reserve League championship for Willie McStay’s men at Ibrox. Celtic dominated this title decider, playing Rangers off the park at points and then, in the 70th minute, midfielder Ferry stepped up with a wonderful volley to blast Celtic to a 1-0 victory. After a long, hard season, Ibrox turned out to be Celtic’s blue heaven, the place where the reserves made it a fantastic eight-in-a-row. It was a tentative start by Celtic, in front of a vocal travelling support who had taken over half of the lower part of the main stand, outnumbering the home fans two to one. Neither side was willing to commit bodies forward in the opening half-hour, although Ryan Conroy had a chance in the fifth minute, cutting across from the left and hitting a low shot with his weaker right foot that was easily collected by Allan McGregor. Meanwhile Isa Bagci was the target for Rangers’ long balls, winning a few early headers, causing some problems for Danny Lafferty and Milan Misun and at one point stealing in to send a shot trundling at Mark Brown. As half-time approached Celtic began to gather momentum and pull the Rangers’ back four all over the pitch with their pace, quick passing and good movement. A flurry of chances ensued, with Paddy McCourt blasting over after cutting in from the left and two mad scrambles in the box leaving McGregor at sixes and sevens. Then followed the chance of the half, with Jason Marr starting a move from the right back position and playing in McCourt, before taking the return pass and laying the ball off for Cawley who fired inches wide. Ferry then blasted a shot wide that had McGregor scrambling across his goal and Celtic continued to play the better football and apply all the pressure after the restart. There were chances for Willie McStay’s men after the restart, including a couple of moments of brilliance from McCourt, including one solo run and nutmeg which left Stephen Forbes completely bamboozled and a beautifully disguised pass which almost played in Niall McGinn. Rangers were put under further pressure when Steven Naismith limped off injured after a 100 per cent fair, but completely committed challenge from the outstanding Marr. Then, with 20 minutes remaining, Celtic’s patience and passing play paid off, as Ferry rifled home one of the goals of the season. Playing the ball through the midfield and tentatively testing the Rangers’ back four, Celtic shifted the ball out to the left with McCourt and Massimo Donati both involved. Captain Ryan Conroy then stepped up and delivered a high cross which swung out to the back post, dropping perfectly for Simon Ferry, who had a glance at goal and lashed a perfect first-time volley past McGregor. It was a great strike from a player who has emerged from two-and-a-half years’ of injuries to recapture his early, outstanding form at Under-19 and reserve level. What followed was a lesson in possession play by Celtic, who frustrated the home side and at times ran them ragged with their movement and play. There was a glorious chance for Rangers with five minutes remaining when Misun was caught dwelling on the ball, allowing Steven Lennon to go through on goal and hit the post with his shot from the edge of the box. However this was a rare chance for the home side, who were comprehensively beaten in this title decider. When the final whistle sounded the reserves were able to celebrate a great win and also the fantastic achievement of eight consecutive league championships.
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