Mark Of Intent

Hoops youngster, Mark Hill, states Under-19s aim to maintain their European improvement

- Mark Henderson

MARK Hill believes Celtic Under-19s’ superb victory away to Anderlecht in the UEFA Youth League has strengthened the togetherness among the team as the Bhoys target another positive result in the competition next week against Bayern Munich.

The midfielder was part of the side that secured the 2-1 win over the Belgian outfit at the end of last month, with the young Hoops showing steel and resilience to see the game out after early goals from Mikey Johnston and Regan Hendry had put them in command.

After impressing in the 3-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their first group game, Tommy McIntyre’s team are now right back in the mix as preparations step up for the trip to Germany.

And Hill told the View that the young Celts had proved their defensive durability and mental toughness in the win over the Brussels side.

“In the PSG game we were a lot better than the Anderlecht game, when we were pinned back and trying to defend as we were away from home, but our defence was good in the game and it was great to get our first win and hopefully there are more to come,” he said in an exclusive interview.

“The team would like to go forward but you have to do the nitty-gritty side of the game once in a while. To score two goals in the first 15 minutes was good and it put us in a good stead for the rest of the game.

“It’s brought the team closer as we were digging in for each other, fighting for every ball, blocking – sometimes two players were trying to block at same time – and every team needs that side of the game as well.

“Last year we didn’t do too well in the UEFA Youth League but now we have got a win and we should have probably have got something out of the PSG game.