2012-02-11: Celtic 1-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic 14 games in league wins in a row. Joint 3rd best in SPL history. 17 games in total.
• Celtic 4pts in front as before as Rangers 4-1 win over Dunfermline.
• Danny M returns in starting line-up and gets sent off in match! Most regard it as wrong & unfair. Man has no luck in the hoops too many a time.
• Memorial to John McLaughlin, one of the founders of Celtic held in the morning by the Celtic Graves Society.

Review

(al1967 of KDS forum)
Happy job done and three points.

Thought before hand that it would be tough as we played ICT last week and add into the mixer the fine display against Mini huns in midweek. My feeling was to take a 2-0 win before the game.

Well worked move for the goal.

Thought Ledley and Brown were immense. Not a fan of Brown but he has really come on in the past few weeks.

Never a sending off for Big Dan, Ref and linesman had a shocker of a game.

Thought we might have tired to stick to a 4-4-1 after the sending off but seemed to go 4-3-2 seemed a bit strange. Also thought we might ahve tired to keep better possession being a man down. Obvious this changed whrn ICT had their man sent off.

A big three points and the sort of game that wins leagues.

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Celtic v ICT

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57 v 43

Articles

Joe Ledley's tap-in enough to give Celtic 1-0 win over Inverness

Scottish Premier League 2011-12
Celtic 1

Ledley 16

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0

Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 11 February 2012 18.03 GMT

Celtic's Joe Ledley scores his side's winning goal against Inverness at Celtic Park. Photograph: Chris Clark/PA

At the time of a Celtic defeat to Ross County in April 2010, some questioned whether Neil Lennon should be handed 10 games as manager, never mind 100.

Lennon reached his century milestone, also against Highland opposition. An indicator of how the 40-year-old has revived fortunes in Glasgow's east end is that Lennon has presided over 77 wins from those 100 games. Celtic remain the favourites to reclaim the Scottish Premier League title, something which would fully endorse boardroom faith in the manager despite his sticky start.

Here, there was also the return of Scottish football's old friend– controversy. Celtic complained bitterly about the dismissal of their centre-backDaniel Majstorovic with half an hour to play. It has long since been the case that a rump of the Celtic support seem unwilling to regard such incidents in isolation.

The Swede routinely appears to cause panic in team-mates around him and his sending-off offered Inverness hope. Celtic, conversely, never really seemed likely to add to their slim lead.

The league leaders were nervy and slack at times, a matter Lennon probably should not fret too much about given the outcome was an extension of their excellent winning domestic run. As if to prove others do not entirely share that outlook, he entered into an argument with one supporter behind his dug-out whom, it seems safe to assume, Lennon felt was being overly critical of on-field fare.

Inverness are due credit for their performance, which represented stark improvement from a week earlier when Celtic bundled them out of the Scottish Cup. Terry Butcher's team were also reduced to 10 men, 17 minutes from time, after Steve Williams was sent off on account of two bookings.

Celtic had a half-time lead, without dominating. A team with superior attacking force to Inverness could have punished elements of sloppiness from the hosts.

Nick Ross should have put Inverness ahead after five minutes but delayed when offered a fine scoring chance from 18 yards. Therein lay the Inverness problem; despite some decent play, they failed to trouble goalkeeper Fraser Forster all afternoon.

Joe Ledley notched his second goal in as many outings, in culminating a move of beautiful simplicity. Scott Brown fed James Forrest on the angle of the Inverness penalty area; instead of shooting, as he would have been perfectly entitled to do, the young winger showed admirable unselfishness to supply a low cross for Ledley to tap home.

Inverness scrambled an Adam Matthews cross clear two minutes before the break as Celtic looked to double their lead. By then, the game had also become noticeably lacking.

A scrappy second-half burst into life due to the interventions of officialdom. Majstorovic's sloppiness in allowing Jonny Hayes to steal a march on the Celtic defence must be noted, with what followed up for debate.

Steven McLean, the referee, took the advice of his assistant referee before deciding that Majstorovic's tackle on Hayes was illegal. With no covering player between Hayes – who was 20 yards out – and the Celtic goal a dismissal was inevitable. Perhaps pertinent was the complete lack of any claim for a foul by Hayes.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, the dismissal roused Inverness. Claude Gnakpa wastefully lashed a shot into Forster's side netting when he had team-mates screaming for a cutback. Later, Ross twice missed out on an equaliser at Forster's back post.

McLean's decision to level the match at 10 a side did not prompt anything like the rancour of the Majstorovic affair. Williams, already on a booking, was baffled by a superb piece of Georgios Samaras skill. Williams could not have much of a complaint about the second yellow card from his foul on the Greek forward.

BBC

Celtic survived the controversial dismissal of Daniel Majstorovic to restore their four-point lead at the top of the table by beating Inverness.

Joe Ledley's 16th-minute tap-in after a James Forrest cross proved crucial.

Charlie Mulgrew went close to extending the lead with a couple of long-range efforts with Celtic in control.

Majstorovic was shown a red card for a disputed 60th-minute challenge on Jonny Hayes, but Caley Thistle's Steve Williams was sent off 17 minutes later.

And with that went their chance of causing an upset, or at least preventing Celtic extending a run of consecutive league and cup victories to 17 and restoring their advantage over reigning champions Rangers, who had beaten Dunfermline Athletic 4-1 earlier in the day.
Majstorovic was sent off 30 minutes from the final whistle

Majstorovic was sent off 30 minutes from the final whistle

Majstorovic had replaced the injured Thomas Rogne, but Celtic were otherwise unchanged following their midweek dismantling of Hearts.

Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher rang the changes after last week's Scottish Cup capitulation by the Scottish Premier League leaders.

Ryan Esson returned to goal at the expense of Jonathan Tuffey, while recent signing Claude Gnakpa was given a start along with Williams and Shane Sutherland as Gregory Tade, Ross Tokely and David Proctor dropped out.

Esson was immediately under pressure and a Victor Wanyama header flew just over the crossbar from a corner.

Gnakpa found Nick Ross in acres of space just outside the Celtic box, but the midfielder failed to control the ball instantly and the chance was gone.
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Inverness were threatening to put up stiffer resistence than they did a week earlier until Scott Brown's pass put Forrest behind the Caley Thistle defence and the winger's ball across the face of goal was guided into the net by Ledley.

Mulgrew forced Esson into a fine save just under the bar from a whipped-in free-kick and the defender came close again when he drilled a 25-yard shot low past the far post.

Majstorovic was sent off in controversial circumstances shortly after the break when he clashed with Hayes as the winger nipped in behind the Sweden defender.
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Inverness almost immediately wasted a chance to level when Gnakpa fired into the side-netting after being found by Williams but with a couple of team-mates waiting for a pass in front of goal.

Caley Thistle only kept their man advantage until the 77th minute, when Williams was shown his second yellow card of the game after barging into Geogios Samaras.

Ross sliced wildly wide and then was expertly ushered off the ball inside the box by Mulgrew just as the midfielder fancied his chances of an equaliser that never came for the visitors from Inverness.
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:27

The referee ends the match.
90:00 +2:49 Booking

Booking Owain Tudur Jones goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
90:00 +2:41

Owain Tudur Jones gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
90:00 +0:18

The assistant referee signals for offside against Claude Gnakpa. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
89:33 Substitution

Substitution Owain Tudur Jones on for Shane Sutherland.
88:31

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Sung-Yeung Ki.
87:05

Foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Shane Sutherland, free kick awarded. Kenny Gillet restarts play with the free kick.
85:22 Substitution

Substitution Thomas Piermayr replaces Josh Meekings.
85:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Johnny Hayes. Victor Wanyama takes the free kick.
84:02

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save made by Ryan Esson.
83:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kenny Gillet on Kris Commons. Sung-Yeung Ki restarts play with the free kick.
82:02

Centre by Johnny Hayes.
81:07 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest goes off and Kris Commons comes on.
80:35

Nick Ross produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
78:38

Ryan Esson fouled by Joe Ledley, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Esson.
77:22

Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew.
77:22 Dismissal

Dismissal Steve Williams is sent off.
77:11

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Steve Williams results in a free kick.
76:06 Booking

Booking The referee shows Graeme Shinnie a yellow card.
75:58

Graeme Shinnie challenges James Forrest unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Matthews takes the direct free kick.
72:15 Substitution

Substitution Sung-Yeung Ki comes on in place of Gary Hooper.
70:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steve Williams on Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Scott Brown.
70:31

Johnny Hayes delivers the ball, save by Fraser Forster.
69:56

Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Richie Foran. Free kick taken by Kenny Gillet.
67:39

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes.
67:12

Johnny Hayes sends in a cross, clearance by Kelvin Wilson.
66:36

Johnny Hayes sends in a cross.
62:59

Claude Gnakpa has an effort at goal from outside the box which misses left.
61:57

Greg Tansey takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
61:26

Corner from the right by-line taken by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Kelvin Wilson.
59:31 Dismissal

Dismissal Daniel Majstorovic sent from the field by the ref for professional foul.
59:06

Foul by Daniel Majstorovic on Johnny Hayes, free kick awarded. Greg Tansey takes the free kick.
58:50

James Forrest delivers the ball, clearance made by Steve Williams.
58:24

Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross, Graeme Shinnie manages to make a clearance.
56:58

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Ryan Esson manages to make a clearance.
56:43

Joe Ledley takes a shot. Blocked by Kenny Gillet.
54:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Steve Williams. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
52:56

Kelvin Wilson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Claude Gnakpa. Josh Meekings takes the direct free kick.
52:23

Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Claude Gnakpa results in a free kick. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
51:06

Daniel Majstorovic concedes a free kick for a foul on Claude Gnakpa. Greg Tansey restarts play with the free kick.
49:58 Booking

Booking Steve Williams goes into the book.
49:48

Steve Williams challenges Gary Hooper unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
49:03

The assistant referee signals for offside against Nick Ross. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
48:36

Kelvin Wilson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Claude Gnakpa. Johnny Hayes restarts play with the free kick.
45:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Steve Williams. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
45:01

The referee starts the second half.
45:00 +0:18

The half-time whistle blows.
44:23

Inswinging corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line.
43:42

Joe Ledley concedes a free kick for a foul on Richie Foran. Free kick taken by Johnny Hayes.
43:18

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes, Charlie Mulgrew manages to make a clearance.
42:43

Adam Matthews delivers the ball, clearance made by Ryan Esson.
39:00

Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, Kenny Gillet manages to make a clearance.
38:22

Graeme Shinnie fouled by Victor Wanyama, the ref awards a free kick. Kenny Gillet takes the direct free kick.
37:32

Nick Ross is caught offside. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
35:58

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Greg Tansey. Unfair challenge on Fraser Forster by Shane Sutherland results in a free kick. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
35:50

Johnny Hayes crosses the ball, blocked by Adam Matthews.
34:39

Effort from outside the penalty box by Charlie Mulgrew goes wide right of the target.
34:22

Centre by James Forrest, Kenny Gillet makes a clearance.
33:29

The referee gives a free kick against Victor Wanyama for handball. Kenny Gillet takes the direct free kick.
31:04

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Richie Foran manages to make a clearance.
30:03

Graeme Shinnie is adjudged to have handled the ball. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
29:20

Unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie by Victor Wanyama results in a free kick. Greg Tansey takes the direct free kick.
27:52 Booking

Booking Richie Foran goes into the book.
27:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Richie Foran. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
24:46

The assistant referee flags for offside against Claude Gnakpa. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
23:28

The offside flag is raised against Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Josh Meekings.
19:51

Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Steve Williams.
18:54

Unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew by Richie Foran results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
15:38

Assist on the goal came from James Forrest.
15:38 Goal scored

Goal – Joe Ledley – Celtic 1 – 0 Inverness Joe Ledley gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Inverness CT.
9:55

Claude Gnakpa takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.
9:16

Johnny Hayes sends in a cross.
8:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Majstorovic on Claude Gnakpa. Ryan Esson restarts play with the free kick.
6:14

Claude Gnakpa fouled by Daniel Majstorovic, the ref awards a free kick. Kenny Gillet takes the free kick.
4:52

Foul by Joe Ledley on Claude Gnakpa, free kick awarded. Johnny Hayes takes the direct free kick.
1:35

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line, Victor Wanyama takes a shot.
1:18

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Claude Gnakpa gets a block in.
0:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Greg Tansey. Free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
0:26

The ball is delivered by Claude Gnakpa, Victor Wanyama makes a clearance.
0:00

The match begins.