THE bragging rights and the silverware belong to Celtic once again. After tasting Glasgow Cup success and Scottish Cup glory, the Youth Cup was added to the list of Old Firm wins at Hampden.

This was the third meeting at a third different level between the clubs inside a week and it was Tommy McIntyre who led his side to victory this time around thanks to goals from Sam Wardrop, Calvin Miller and Aidan McIlduff.

The Hoops lifted the silverware two years ago with a 5-2 win over Rangers and it was another comfortable victory here as the Lennoxtown kids produced an accomplished performance.

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For Rangers, it was another frustrating evening. It was a youthful Light Blues line-up – Graeme Murty’s side had an average age of less than 18 – and he will hope that the experience stands his Ibrox hopefuls in good stead despite the derby disappointment.

The decision to play the match behind closed doors was a regrettable one and only a few hundred family, friends and school kids were inside the National Stadium to see the next generation of Old Firm hopefuls go head-to-head.

There was no raucous atmosphere like the one that greeted the teams at the weekend but the early pattern of play was the same as Celtic were on the front foot from the off.

The Hoops didn’t have a goal to show for their efforts this time but it was McIntyre’s side that stared brightly as Aidan Nesbitt had an attempt and keeper Robby McCrorie smothered a cross from Anthony Ralston at the near post.

It took some time for Rangers to get going and it was winger Serge Atakayi that looked their main threat. He showed pace and trickery down the right flank but he couldn’t find the target when he tried his luck from distance.

Read more: Tommy McIntyre insists it is all about players for the first-team after youth cup win over Rangers

Celtic looked more likely to break the deadlock and they scored twice in the final seven minutes of the half to put themselves well in control.

Michael Johnston combined well with Miller down the left, his cross was flicked on by Joe Thomson and Wardrop was on hand at the back post to rifle the ball beyond McCrorie.

It was a goal that Celtic deserved and the lead was soon doubled. Keeper Conor Hazard played his part but it was a moment that opposite number McCrorie will want to forget.

Gers skipper Ross McCrorie didn’t get enough on his header from Hazard’s long clearance and as his twin raced from his goal, Miller nipped in and converted into an empty net.

Boss Murty wasted little time in making a switch in a bid to change Rangers’ fortunes and it was Josh Jeffries he turned to at the break as midfielder Billy Gilmour made way.

The task soon got even tougher for the Light Blues, though. Once again, it was keeper McCrorie that had his head in his hands as Celtic got their third.

A McIlduff effort from just inside the area was straight at McCrorie but the 19-year-old didn’t get a strong enough hand on the ball and could only watch on in despair as it found the back of the net.

It should have been 4-0 just after the hour mark but Thomson couldn’t find the top corner with a diving header after a terrific run down the left flank from McIlduff. The job was already done, though, and Celtic saw the game out with relative ease.

McIntyre could give Theodor Archibald, Kerr McInroy and Regan Hendry run-out as they got their own taste of the final occasion. Once again, it was a successful one for Celtic.