Smith does the trick for Annan as ten-man Celtic Colts rue early sending-off

Celtic Colts were left to rue a needless early red card as they succumbed to a hat-trick from Annan’s Aidan Smith in the first round of the Irn-bru Cup.

Wallace Duffy was sent off after just nine minutes for kicking out off at James Creaney and the League 2 side duly took advantage to avenge a 5-1 thrashing by the Celtic youngsters at the same phase of last year’s competition.

Aidan Nesbitt and Jack Aitchison were the most recognisable names in Tommy Mcintyre’s Celtic line-up.

Annan, who have lost both their league games so far, threatened in the opening minute when Rabin Omar saw a firm low shot from 15 yards well held by keeper Ross Doohan. The hosts went close again in the fifth minute when Brandon Luke blasted inches over from the edge of the box after Ryan Stevenson’s cross broke kindly to him.

Celtic were left up against it in the ninth minute when Duffy was shown a straight red card for kicking Creaney. The hosts went ahead in the 17th minute when Smith seized on a loose pass from Celtic defender Jamie Mccart, played a one-two with Omar and burst into the box to fire beyond the exposed Doohan.

Smith doubled Annan’s lead six minutes later when he slotted home a penalty after being tripped by Robbie Deas as he burst into the box.

Celtic had their first effort on goal in the 25th minute but PJ Crossan’s low shot from the edge of the area was easily saved by Alex Mitchell. The visitors managed to haul themselves back into it when Regan Hendry curled a superb free-kick high into the net from a yard outside the box.

Celtic started to take control and should have levelled in the 39th minute when Mark Hill latched on to Nesbitt’s delivery into the box but dragged his shot wide from eight yards.

Celtic remained a threat until the 84th minute when Smith completed his treble with a strike from the edge of the box.