Match Report
Clydebank's hopes of upsetting Celtic Reserves were dashed by a combination of missed chances and the visitors' greater experience as the Glasgow side ran out 4-0 winners at Kilbowie Park.
The final score perhaps flattered Celtic slightly, but there was no doubt that the visitors possessed the stronger side. Several members of their line-up had already featured for Celtic's senior and reserve teams, while goalkeeper Bent Martin brought European experience to the visitors' ranks.
The opening half was keenly contested despite the icy conditions, which made controlled football difficult for both teams. The match was also interrupted by injuries, with Archie Rankin being carried off on a stretcher after suffering a leg strain. Celtic were later reduced to ten men temporarily when McGowan left the field with a head injury.
Billy Horn, returning to the Clydebank side in place of the flu-stricken Eddie Jenkins, was one of the home side's more lively performers and played a prominent role in several attacking moves.
For much of the first half the Bankies competed well, but Celtic gradually began to assert themselves and broke the deadlock after 34 minutes. A well-worked passing move opened up the Clydebank defence and George Connolly finished with a composed strike from 20 yards.
The visitors continued to threaten before the interval, but Ronnie Wilson produced a number of fine saves to prevent further damage.
Clydebank responded positively after the restart and enjoyed arguably their best spell of the match. McLeish, Tommy McGhee and Tony Moy all tested Bent Martin, whose goalkeeping proved a major factor in keeping the home side at bay. Several efforts either struck the woodwork or narrowly missed the target.
Moy came closest of all when he found himself through on goal with only Martin to beat, but the Danish goalkeeper held the effort comfortably.
Having survived that spell of pressure, Celtic doubled their lead on the hour mark. A low cross from the left wing found Quinn, who guided his header into the net from close range.
The second goal knocked the momentum out of Clydebank's challenge. Although they continued to search for a way back into the match, Celtic's defence tightened and opportunities became increasingly scarce.
The visitors finished strongly and added two further goals in the closing minutes. Quinn scored his second of the afternoon from close range before Bobby Lennox completed the scoring a minute later.
While the scoreline was a heavy one, Clydebank could take some encouragement from the chances they created against a talented Celtic side. On another day, and against a less accomplished goalkeeper than Martin, the Bankies might have found the net several times themselves.
Match report written by Stuart McBay
