2010-08-14: Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0-1 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2010 – 2011 | 2010-2011 Pictures

Trivia

  • First league game of the season; Rangers won 2-1 in their game.
  • Paddy McCourt scores probably the goal of the season.
  • Juarez on bench due to being on Mexican intl duty in midweek.
  • Aiden McGeady sold for £9.5m plus day before.
  • James Forrest came on as sub and gave a fabulous performance and was unlucky not to get a goal from two shots.
  • Celtic utilised the newly popular 4-2-3-1 system which was used to much success by teams in the recent World Cup. Too many are saying 4-4-2 is inflexible, but only time will tell if it works for us.

Review

A superb second-half solo goal by Paddy McCourt gave Celtic three points in the Scottish Premier League curtain-raiser at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Zaluska – Did everything you could have expected of him – bar the injury time drama queen stuff.

Cha – Steady except for the one terrible moment. Needs to concentrate.
Hooiveld – No. Poor positioning, poor decision making, lacks the basics.
Loovens – No. A real trier but will not make it for us. Wouldn't write him off completely, he may be a good player but not for Celtic.
Mulgrew – hmmm. Looked all at sea until he made an erse of the winger then seemed to grow in confidence. Actually had a decent game after thet despite a series of terrible corners.

Brown- Came onto a game after about 30 minutes. No real contribution but you proably need guys like him when playing the Invernesses.
Ledley – Unremarkable. A few nice touches and held the shape well but, apart from the one instance where he burst through beyond the strikers in the first half, had a quiet game.

Fortune – A real handful for the Caley midfield/defence. Put himself about well and created lots of space for others to exploit.
McCourt – Brave decision by Lennon to play him from the start. Great goal but had just about shot his bolt when that hammer thrower Maloney took him out. Showed great vision and imagination.
Maloney – Lennon will be absolutely delighted with his contribution. Despite missing the one on one, he never let his head drop and kept tormenting the Caley defence. A great show from the wee man.

Samaras – Easily the best player on the park today. Never gave anythiing up. On this form, he has to start.

Forrest – Looks a real prospect. Despite the horrendous sitter, kept going at them and was ultimately unlucky not to get his goal. Loads of ability and also football intelligence, the stuff you can't coach.
Juarez – A little surprised he wasn't playing from the start but Brown recovering form injury unexpectedly meant he had to sit this one out. Awesome hair.

In general, a good three points. After a shaky first 10 minutes, probably the most convincing we have ever looked away to Caley. The score flattered them enormously. If we had a finsher, it would have been five.

I think Lennon will be well chuffed.

Teams

Inverness CT

  • 01 Esson
  • 03 Tokely
  • 14 Munro
  • 24 Gillet
  • 25 McCann
  • 06 Cox
  • 08 Duncan
  • 11 Hayes (Sutherland 86)
  • 19 Ross (Blumanshtein 61) (Proctor 78)
  • 07 Odhiambo
  • 10 Rooney

Substitutes

  • 12 Tuffey,
  • 02 Proctor,
  • 05 Golabek,
  • 16 McBain,
  • 18 Blumanshtein,
  • 20 Sutherland,
  • 23 Sanchez

Celtic (4-2-3-1)

  • 24 Zaluska
  • 06 Hooiveld
  • 11 Cha Du-Ri
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 22 Loovens
  • 08 Brown
  • 16 Ledley
  • 20 McCourt (Forrest 62)
  • 09 Samaras
  • 10 Fortune (Juarez 89)
  • 13 Maloney

Substitutes

  • 47 Cervi,
  • 04 Juarez,
  • 15 Misun,
  • 18 Ki Sung-Yeung,
  • 33 Baram Kayal,
  • 27 Murphy,
  • 49 Forrest

Goals

  • McCourt 56
Ref: Murray
Att: 7,547

Articles

Pictures

KStreet

MOTM

Stats

Possession

  • Inverness CT 49%
  • Celtic 51%

Attempts on target

  • Inverness CT 3
  • Celtic 11

Attempts off target

  • Inverness CT 5
  • Celtic 7

Corners

  • Inverness CT 1
  • Celtic 9

Fouls

  • Inverness CT 10
  • Celtic 6

Articles

Paddy McCourt opens account against Inverness as Celtic shut up shop

The Guardian

Celtic's Paddy McCourt scores against Inverness Caledonian Thistle during the SPL match. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters Any impression, derived from a glance at the score, that Celtic scratched their way to a narrow victory at a troublesome venue would be the wrong one. For the first time since he became manager, Neil Lennon had cause to rue Celtic's wastefulness in front of goal rather than defensive generosity. But for second-half profligacy, Celtic could have opened their bid to wrestle the championship from Rangers' grasp with a resounding win.

Lennon knew the value of this result all right. His touchline dramatics, not least when Paddy McCourt clubbed home the only goal of the game, illustrated the manager's knowledge that this was an encounter Celtic would have toiled to win in the recent past. Lennon's somewhat curious tactic of taking his players for a five-minute wander round the Caledonian Stadium when they arrived in the Highlands yesterday afternoon was further proof of pre-match anxiety.

If a squad laced with international performers were to be somehow shocked by what they encountered here, the Celtic manager really would have problems. "I haven't seen us create as many chances as that up here," Lennon said. "The second-half performance, in particular, was excellent."

A clean sheet had become a novelty for Lennon's Celtic until this game. Although Inverness Caledonian Thistle were blunt for all but the opening half-hour, the fact that his team did not concede a goal will please Lennon more than he was willing to admit. What the manager did concede is that the Swedish centre-half Daniel Majstorovic will arrive in Glasgow tomorrow to formalise his transfer from AEK Athens. The Celtic manager is also close to a deal for the Honduran full-back Emilio Izaguirre.

The moments in which McCourt scored, before leaving the field due to injury, perfectly summed up his Parkhead career to date. There is little doubt about the Northern Irishman's talent, yet a lack of core fitness has so far denied him an extended first-team run. His affliction on this occasion was down to no more than an accident. As he struck the 18-yard shot that claimed victory, his team-mate Shaun Maloney collided with him, causing what Celtic's doctor believed was whiplash. "I'm not happy with Shaun," Lennon added, presumably in jest.

Inverness had started promisingly, buoyed no doubt by the pre-match raising of the First Division flag that they had claimed in such emphatic style in May. The home team's early promise, though, petered out after their most creative force, Johnny Hayes, drifted out of the match.

Maloney had kick-started Celtic's afternoon, albeit with an episode in which he should have done better. The diminutive playmaker sprung the Inverness offside trap but shot against Ryan Esson's right-hand post. Lennon, who had already been given a stern talking‑to by the referee after complaining a little too vociferously about decisions, had his mood improved by the enigmatic McCourt.

The former Derry City player, as is typical of his style, cut in from the right flank before firing beyond the prosaic Esson. As Lennon rather comically cavorted 30 yards down the track in jubilation, one over-zealous and hoop-clad punter ended up 18 yards on to the pitch. Inverness may hear more about that from the SPL later.

What followed when the action restarted was akin to a procession, without the end result. Maloney – twice – Georgios Samaras and Marc-Antoine Fortuné passed up glaring opportunities before young James Forrest cracked the Inverness upright with a terrific drive from 25 yards. On this occasion at least, it mattered not.

Inverness CT 0-1 Celtic

By Keir Murray
BBC
A superb second-half solo goal by Paddy McCourt gave Celtic three points in the Scottish Premier League curtain-raiser at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The newly promoted hosts had been by far the brighter in the opening exchanges, Eric Odhiambo guilty of wasting a free header in 18 minutes.

Celtic's Shaun Maloney smacked the post from 14 yards and Lukasz Zaluska saved from Caley's Adam Rooney in 30 minutes.

But McCourt's terrific dribble and strike gave Celtic a deserved victory.

While Celtic's Thomas Rogne failed to prove his fitness, Scott Brown, who missed Scotland's 3-0 defeat by Sweden in midweek, made the starting line-up for the visitors.

Yet there was barely time for the Celtic captain to test his ankle before he and his team-mates were put on the back foot by a surging run from the halfway line by Johnny Hayes.

The Caley Thistle midfielder was eventually halted by the Dutchman Glenn Loovens at the edge of the box, a clash that left both players nursing injuries.

The pressure on the Celtic back line was maintained when Odhiambo retained possession and fed the ball to Kevin McCann, who whipped a ball over to Adam Rooney.

The young striker's right-foot volley was powerful but wayward.

Terry Butcher was left holding his head in frustration when Odhiambo headed harmlessly over the bar with the goal at his mercy in 18 minutes.

Gradually, the fluorescent green strips of Celtic began to advance and, when Maloney broke the offside trap to race through on Ryan Esson, a goal looked likely.

But the little Scot's powerful angled shot from 14 yards rebounded off the Caley Thistle upright and the match raged on.

Much will be expected of Zaluska this season as he tries to emulate the form of countryman Artur Boruc, who left for Fiorentina.

And, in 32 minutes, he kept out Rooney's snap shot on the turn, smothering the burly striker's shot from close range.

Caley Thistle's inability to convert their early chances began to look costly.

First, a quick break instigated by Maloney, with Samaras and Marc-Antoine Fortune in support, gave Joe Ledley the chance to score, but his shot was diverted over by the flailing heel of Ross Tokely.

Then Samaras soared to meet Charlie Mulgrew's inswinging corner and was cursing his luck when Nick Ross, tucked against the post, chested the ball off the goal-line.

Celtic began the second period as the hosts had the first, Ledley powering down the inside-left channel and unleashing a shot straight at Esson.

And, moments later, the fans were treated to a marvellous goal by McCourt, who sashayed across the 18-yard line, evaded the legs of desperate Highland defenders and slammed a right-foot shot low beyond Esson.

While the scorer was treated for a head injury sustained when Maloney was too robust in his congratulations, Brown broke into the box and fired a shot that Esson saved comfortably.

As the visitors turned the screw, Fortune was fractionally too slow to connect with Maloney's shot across the face of goal, which rolled just past the post.

Du-Ri, ever willing to make overlapping runs deep in the opposition half, collected Fortune's pass and crossed menacingly for Maloney.

Thankfully for the hosts, loyal club servant Tokely was sharp enough to prod the ball past for a corner.

After their initial verve, Caley Thistle were being reminded painfully how demanding the SPL can be.

As the newcomers gasped for oxygen, Celtic's James Forrest, who had replaced the injured McCourt, was the next to stand accused of profligacy, sweeping the ball high over the bar when a controlled finish from eight yards was required.

In the closing minutes, Esson made a wonderful save from a long-range Forrest dipping shot then denied the rampaging Du-Ri to keep the scoreline respectable, but an inaccurate reflection of the Glasgow side's dominance.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8909529.stm

Published: 2010/08/14 13:15:52 GMT

© BBC MMX
  • Final Result
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+4:04 The referee signals the end of the game.
  • 90:00+3:53 Attacking throw-in by Georgios Samaras (Celtic).
  • 90:00+3:20 Shaun Maloney fouled by Ross Tokely, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
  • 90:00+2:07 James Forrest has an effort at goal. Efrain Juarez takes a shot. Ryan Esson makes a save.
  • 88:57 Defending throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 88:46 Defending throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 88:16 Substitution Celtic substitution: Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced by Efrain Juarez (tactical).
  • 87:46 Du-Ri Cha takes a shot. Save by Ryan Esson.
  • 87:04 Shot by James Forrest (Celtic) drilled right-footed from left channel (35 yards), save (tipped round post) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Shaun Maloney (Celtic) to centre, clearance by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT).
  • 86:36 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 85:41 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 85:41 Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Jonathan Hayes replaced by Shane Sutherland (tactical).
  • 83:06 Lee Cox gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney. Shaun Maloney delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel. Shaun Maloney takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post.
  • 82:43 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 82:37 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 81:38 Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 79:19 Shaun Maloney takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Ross Tokely manages to make a clearance.
  • 78:14 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 77:35 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 77:35 Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Gil Blumenshtein replaced by David Proctor (injury).
  • 76:56 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 76:02 James Forrest takes a shot from inside the six-yard box clearing the crossbar.
  • 74:47 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) to centre, clearance by Russell Duncan (Inverness CT).
  • 73:51 Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Save made by Ryan Esson. Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Russell Duncan.
  • 73:15 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 72:20 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 71:41 Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).
  • 69:44 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) to near post, clearance by Russell Duncan (Inverness CT).
  • 69:28 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 66:40 Shot from close range by Shaun Maloney misses to the right of the target.
  • 65:56 Attacking throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 65:11 Attacking throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 63:48 Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Ryan Esson makes a save. Corner taken by Shaun Maloney, Headed effort on goal by Glenn Loovens from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
  • 62:49 Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Ross Tokely makes a clearance.
  • 60:50 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 60:50 Substitution Celtic substitution: Patrick McCourt replaced by James Forrest (injury).
  • 60:50 Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Nicholas Ross replaced by Gil Blumenshtein (tactical).
  • 60:25 Scott Brown takes a shot. Ryan Esson makes a comfortable save.
  • 59:09 Kevin McCann gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Jos Hooiveld takes the direct free kick.
  • 58:35 Defending throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 57:55 Foul by Eric Odhiambo (Inverness CT) on Du-Ri Cha (Celtic). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic) from own half, resulting in open play.
  • 55:14 GOAL – Patrick McCourt:Inverness CT 0 – 1 Celtic Patrick McCourt fires in a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 0-1 Celtic.
  • 54:37 Jonathan Hayes delivers the ball, Nicholas Ross takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 54:31 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 53:45 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Grant Munro by Georgios Samaras. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.
  • 53:20 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Glenn Loovens by Lee Cox. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 52:41 Attacking throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 51:39 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) to centre, clearance by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT).
  • 50:49 Defending throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 49:52 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) to centre, save (caught) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).
  • 49:40 Shot by Joe Ledley (Celtic) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (fumbled) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).
  • 49:12 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 48:35 Foul by Joe Ledley (Celtic) on Russell Duncan (Inverness CT). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.
  • 47:12 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Ross Tokely. Charlie Mulgrew shoots direct from the free kick, Ryan Esson makes a save. Corner taken short by Patrick McCourt.
  • 45:46 Russell Duncan takes a shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 45:25 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 45:01 The referee starts the second half.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+2:04 The referee calls an end to the first half.
  • 45:00+1:50 Marc-Antoine Fortune takes a shot. Save by Ryan Esson.
  • 44:13 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 43:34 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 43:12 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 42:40 Foul by Grant Munro on Shaun Maloney, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
  • 42:12 Defending throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 41:15 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) to centre, header by Georgios Samaras (Celtic) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), blocked by Nicholas Ross (Inverness CT).
  • 40:47 Defending throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 40:06 Georgios Samaras produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.
  • 39:45 Defending throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 38:19 Georgios Samaras is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.
  • 37:09 Shot by Georgios Samaras (Celtic) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).
  • 36:21 Joe Ledley takes a shot. Ross Tokely gets a block in. Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Grant Munro.
  • 35:41 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 35:20 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 34:43 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 34:00 Shot by Georgios Samaras (Celtic) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).
  • 32:53 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 32:34 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 31:20 Shot by Adam Rooney (Inverness CT) left-footed from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (tipped round post) by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Jonathan Hayes (Inverness CT) to far post, foul by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT) on Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic) from own half, resulting in open play.
  • 30:36 Foul by Scott Brown on Russell Duncan, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Jonathan Hayes from left channel.
  • 30:22 Defending throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 29:56 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 29:38 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 28:41 Foul by Adam Rooney (Inverness CT) on Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) from left wing, resulting in open play.
  • 28:23 Attacking throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 26:17 Cross by Russell Duncan (Inverness CT), header by Adam Rooney (Inverness CT) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 25:41 Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 22:14 Unfair challenge on Shaun Maloney by Kenny Gillet results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Nicholas Ross.
  • 21:50 Attacking throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 21:12 Charlie Mulgrew has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
  • 20:48 Shot by Shaun Maloney (Celtic) drilled right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), hit post.
  • 19:21 Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 17:49 Jonathan Hayes sends in a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Eric Odhiambo goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
  • 17:21 Defending throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 16:41 Handball by Georgios Samaras. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.
  • 16:16 Du-Ri Cha concedes a free kick for a foul on Eric Odhiambo. Free kick taken by Kenny Gillet.
  • 15:41 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 15:10 Russell Duncan takes a shot. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 14:25 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 13:33 Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 12:38 Charlie Mulgrew concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan Hayes. Kevin McCann restarts play with the free kick.
  • 12:14 Attacking throw-in by Du-Ri Cha (Celtic).
  • 11:10 Foul by Georgios Samaras (Celtic) on Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.
  • 10:41 Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 10:38 Goal kick taken long by Lukasz Zaluska (Celtic).
  • 9:42 Centre by Jonathan Hayes, Eric Odhiambo has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
  • 8:50 Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).
  • 7:49 Glenn Loovens concedes a free kick for a foul on Eric Odhiambo. Kenny Gillet takes the free kick.
  • 6:26 The referee penalises Georgios Samaras for handball. Ryan Esson restarts play with the free kick.
  • 5:32 Centre by Kevin McCann, Effort from inside the area by Adam Rooney misses to the right of the target.
  • 5:01 Attacking throw-in by Kevin McCann (Inverness CT).
  • 4:41 Defending throw-in by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
  • 0:40 Jonathan Hayes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Glenn Loovens. Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
  • 0:00 The match has kicked off.