CELTIC coach Michael O’Halloran hailed his Hoops kids as they lifted the Glasgow Cup with a 4-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Goals from Michael Johnston, Broque Watson, Shaun Bowers and Kieran Patrick Campbell clinched a comfortable win for Celtic as they won the trophy for the third year in succession.

It was an accomplished showing from the Lennoxtown youngsters, with Johnston and Jack Aitchison, who will sign a new three-year deal at Parkhead today, two of their most impressive performers.

Boss O’Halloran said: “We expected to do well because we have worked hard. Rangers are tough opponents. It was good to go out there and perform.

“To win it is a fantastic achievement for the players. To come and play against our biggest rivals, a huge club and an extremely good football team at their Under-17s, to compete as well as we did, put on the performance and score the goals we scored was excellent.

“It shouldn’t be forgotten that these boys are 16 and 17-years-old and it is all about their development, it is part of their learning curve and progression.

“When you play for a big club, you are expected to win, no matter what competition you are in or trophy you are playing for.

“There is huge expectation on these boys and it is all about their learning and their development. The more often they can come and play in big stadiums and against their biggest rivals the better it will be for their development.”

Rangers made a bright start at Ibrox, Liam Burt coming close before Andrew Dallas looked to capitalise on a Celtic mistake, but Billy Kirkwood’s side found themselves behind after 20 minutes.

Celtic came close when keeper Kieran Wright blocked well from Ewan Henderson and Aidan Wilson had to hook an effort off the line, while Wallace Duffy had a low shot saved.

The Hoops didn’t have to wait long for their goal, though, and it was Johnston who broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot into the far corner of the net.

The reaction was positive from Rangers but they couldn’t get the leveller as a Zak Rudden effort was held by Aidan McAdams before captain Jamie Barjonas saw a free kick whistle over the bar and Burt’s shot went just inches wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

Celtic continued to look dangerous in the final third and Kerr McInroy should have made it 2-0 when he collected an Aitchison pass that split the Gers defence, but his shot went just wide of the target.

After Barjonas saw a rifled free-kick well saved by McAdams, Celtic took control of the tie as Watson converted from close range after Wright had saved a Johnstone effort.

With just two minutes remaining of the first half, Wright had to be alert to react well and save a deflected Johnston free-kick as he kept Rangers in the game.

The Gers were once again on the front foot after the break but they couldn’t make a spell of pressure count and soon found themselves with a mountain to climb as Shaun Bowers burst down the right wing and saw his shot deflect off Aidan Wilson and beyond Wright.

Boss Kirkwood turned to his bench in a bid to spark his side into action as Jack Adamson replaced Andrew Dallas and Sam Jamieson took over from Burt.

The clock was against Rangers as they looked to get back in the game and Rudden twice came close as he was denied by McAdams and then put a low shot wide either side of an Aitchison effort as he cut in from the left flank.

With just two minutes left, Celtic got their fourth of the evening as Campbell finished well from inside the area to round off a deserved win for the Hoops.