Spurs and Celtic met at the Gilbertson Park on Saturday in the Madrid Cup to contest the first final of the season on the grass.
Celtic had the better of the opening exchanges with Connor Regan and James Aitken stamping their authority in the middle of the park.
It was Spurs however who opened the scoring against the run of play. Sam Ward found young midfielder Ronan Grant on the left flank his direct running and cross come shot deceived the Celtic goalkeeper and found the far corner of the net.
This seemed to settle Spurs who got into a rhythm that Celtic struggled to cope with. However the men in white were dealt a double blow losing influential players Lewis Kay and Sam Ward to injury in quick succession.
Subs Dave Mann and Connor Grant entered the fray and were into their strides quickly which kept Spurs on the front foot.
The second goal wasn’t long in coming after Paul Molloy danced past three challenges before laying it on a plate for strike partner Connel Gresham who expertly side footed it past the Celtic keeper giving him no chance.
Gresham added his second and his team’s third on the 30 minute mark after more great play by Molloy. The striker finding his teammate inside the box and from what seemed an impossible angle Gresham found the far corner with a wonderful finish.
As the half came to a close Celtic forward Brendan Johnson used his pace to open up the Spurs back line before unleashing a fierce shot which was tipped onto the crossbar by Spurs keeper Grant Wood in goal.
The second half started as the first ended with Spurs looking to put the game to bed and they pretty much ended it as a contest within 3 minutes of the restart.
Gresham turned provider for Molloy who finished with aplomb to put his side 4-0 up.
Nice play by Molloy 5 mins later found the lively Gresham who burst in on goal to complete his hat trick.
Celtic to their credit didn’t let the heads drop and were unlucky not to pull one back soon after but young Johnson was unlucky to hit the woodwork for the second time in the game.
Wood in goal had to look lively soon after to deal with a long range shot from Aitken. However the scoring wasn’t over and with ten minutes to go the veteran James Johnston played Gresham in on goal with an inch perfect pass. The striker out stripped the Celtic back line before cheekily lobbing the advancing keeper to put his side 6-0 up.
Aitken then came close with a header that clipped the top of the crossbar.
The final goal of the game came for the hoops. Aitken prodding home at the back post for an 85th minute consolation for his side.
An entertaining game with some good goals saw Spurs captain Grant Wood receive the Madrid Cup, the clubs 7th victory in the competition in ten years.
Best on the day for Celtic were James Aitken and young Brendan Johnson who certainly has a good future in the game.
For Spurs a complete team performance with some really good goals were best served by four goal Gresham, Andrew Flett who marshalled his defence well and the veteran Johnston who at nearly 40 years old looks like he could play for a few years yet.
The Spurs players and management would like to dedicate the cup win to loyal club supporter Roger Goudie who sadly passed away at the turn of the year.
CELTIC TEAM: K Haynes, J Bradley, J Clubb, R Smith, E Smith (S Odie), C Regan, J Aitken, T Moncrieff (L Spence), B Johnson (B Buggy), S Sim (R Grant), K Moar (S Regan)