County Down born Ireland U17 international Paul George capped off a wonderful individual display and season as Celtic’s Under-17s lifted the Glasgow Cup for the first time in three years with a 1-0 victory over Rangers at Parkhead last week.
The Killough striker scored the only goal of the game in the 55th minute with a fine finish after being set up by Darnell Fisher.
The win came in front of a crowd of around 4000 that included first-team boss Neil Lennon and his assistants Alan Thompson and Garry Parker.
George signed a three year deal with Celtic last summer and has already made an appearance for the first-team, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match with AZ Alkmaar at the end of last season.
George has also made an immediate impact for Ireland at international level scoring two goals as ‘The Boys In Green’ narrowly failed to make the European U17 finals in March, losing out after Denmark scored a late equaliser in their final game against Latvia.
Speaking at the time of George's contract announcement, Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart said:
“Paul is a player we have had over here for two years now. He has settled into Scotland and is the type of player that is an entertainer. He has very good skills, but is also dedicated and hard-working too.
County Down born Celtic youth player Paul George has received his first call-up for Ireland, as U17 manager John Morling named him in his 17 man squad for the UEFA Championship, elite qualifying phase which takes place in Greece at the end of this month.
Ireland will compete with Denmark, Greece and Latvia for the one available place in this year's eight team UEFA Championship finals which take place in Serbia in mid May. The ‘Boys In Green’ eased to qualification from the first qualifying phase last Autumn, emerging from a group containing Albania, Malta and Norway.
George from Killough in County Down signed a three year deal with Celtic last summer and spent last year at the Celtic Academy. He has already made an appearance for the first-team, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match with AZ Alkmaar at the end of last season.
Speaking at the time of George's contract announcement, Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured Paul for the next three years.
“Paul is a player we have had over here for two years now. He has settled into Scotland has been part of our schools project at St Ninian's for the last year and is the type of player that is an entertainer. He has very good skills, but is also dedicated and hard-working too.
Ireland U 17 squad
Joe Coll - Manchester United FC
Ian Lawlor - Manchester City FC
Colm Horgan - Salthill Devon FC
John Kavanagh - Ringmahon Rangers FC
Tommie Hoban - Watford FC
Pierce Sweeney - Belvedere FC
Steven Smith - Arsenal FC
Sean Kavanagh - Belvedere FC
Kealan Dillon - Derby County FC
Darragh Lenihan - Belvedere FC
Luke Gallagher - Cherry Orchard FC
Kenny McEvoy Tottenham Hotspur FC
Mikey Drennan - Aston Villa FC
Bradley Garmston - West Bromwich Albion FC
James Murphy - Reading FC
Paul George - Celtic FC
Sam Byrne - St. Josephs Boys FC
Rising Celtic starlet Paul George has committed his international future to Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland. The 16 year old striker is believed to have contacted the FAI requesting to be considered for selection.
George from Killough in County Down recently signed a three year deal with the hoops and spent last year on the Celtic Academy’s innovative school programme at St Ninian’s High, he has already made an appearance for the first-team, coming on as a substitute in a friendly match with AZ Alkmaar at the end of last season.
Speaking at the time of George's contract announcement, Celtic Head of Youth, Chris McCart said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured Paul for the next three years.
“Paul is a player we have had over here for two years now. He has settled into Scotland has been part of our schools project at St Ninian's for the last year and is the type of player that is an entertainer. He has very good skills, but is also dedicated and hard-working too.
