2012-08-18: Ross County 1-1 Celtic, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic get lucky grabbing a late late goal away to Ross County with the last kick of the game.
• First ever league meeting between the two sides.
• Celtic play with near make shift side as injury toll takes heavy burden. Players rested for fear of further injuries before vital away match in champions league in Sweden next week.
• Debut match for Paul Slane. It was to be his only match for Celtic.
• Celtic tried out a 3-5-2 formation, which was slowly changed through the match.
• Olympics finished on Sunday past in London. 29 golds for Team GB.

Review

(The Pin of KDS forum)
It's obvious that neither Lennon nor the fans are particularly worried about the result today. That's understandable, we want to win but, compared to Tuesday's game, it's not that important.

Given that the result wasn't paramount today, I wish Lennon would've tried to get the team to play a bit of football. We were terrible to watch today, it really was poor. People will rightly criticise Ross County for their approach, but we should be dealing with these kick-rush teams by passing the ball around them, not by playing into their hands. Watching Forster go long from every goal-kick was infuriating. We've got 3 quality players in central midfield and I'm watching us launch it over their heads for Samaras to battle Grant Munro for. Long ball football is the only type of football Ross County can play against, setting up like we did today completely played into their hands.

Mulgrew was another one. I'm a big fan of his, he has a great range of passing for a centre-back, but his long-balls today were atrocious, not so much in their execution, but as ideas. Yes, I know we almost scored when Samaras flicked a long-ball on for Commons, and our goal at the end came a couple of passes after a flick-on, but you'll spend the whole match giving away possession for the sake of those couple of times the long-ball actually works. If we'd insisted on passing it forward we'd have created more and Ross County would've been knackered after about 20 minutes.

There just seems to me an incongruity between, on the one hand, not being too worried about the result, and on the other, playing this 'win at all costs' style of football. There's no Rangers this season, we don't need to win absolutely every match, we should play good football and, if we get caught out because of it now and again, accept it. If we dropped points today because we were trying to walk it into the net and Ross County had nodded in a corner I could live with that.

What I can't accept, though, is Celtic going up there with a team that's probably on 20 times the money they are, and playing the same pish they do.

Would Ajax, Benfica or Olympiakos win the SPL if they took our place? Of Course.
Would they choose to do so by playing long-ball football? Of Course not.

Why are we any different?

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Stats

Ross County v Celtic
Possession
54% v 46%
95mins

Shots
7 v 19

On target
4 v 10

Corners
1 v 9

Fouls
12 v 14

Articles

Ross County 1-1 Celtic: match report

By Roddy Forsyth, at Victoria Park

5:57PM BST 18 Aug 2012

Telegraph

Fifteen seconds of injury time was all that separated Ross County from a famous victory that would have been the shock result of the fledgling Scottish season. Leading by a dazzling Rich Brittain free kick, struck home just after the break, the SPL newcomers matched Celtic stride for side into the added period of three minutes.

With the prize almost in their grasp, however, County were undone by a shot from the Celtic substitute, Tony Watt. The effort was stopped by Michael Fraser but the goalkeeper could not keep it in his grasp, and when it spilled to the feet of Kris Commons four feet out, an equaliser was inevitable.

It was testament to Celtic’s sense of purpose but also tremendously hard on County, whose consolation was that the result extended their extraordinary undefeated league record to 37 games.

For all Celtic’s squad strength, an exceptional injury roster forced Neil Lennon to name five development players — James Keatings, Paul Slane, Watt, Callum McGregor and Joseph Chalmers — alongside Lukasz Zaluska and Thomas Rogne on the bench.

Gary Hooper, Anthony Stokes, Daryl Murphy and Mohamed Bangura were missing, depriving Lennon of attacking options, and the casualty list was completed by Dylan McGeouch, Rabiu Ibrahim and Filip Twardzik.

However, the Hoops’s starting line-up was not exactly fragile, as Lennon opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Commons pairing Georgios Samaras in attack, ahead of a powerful midfield, which consisted of Adam Matthews, Beram Kayal, Victor Wanyama, Joe Ledley and Emilio Izaguirre.

With a capacity crowd basking in the late summer warmth at Victoria Park, where the surface was in ideal condition, the circumstances were in place for an entertaining contest.

County opened at pace — and should have gone ahead from Stuart Kettlewell’s point-blank header from a Marc Corocran cross, but they could not be sustain the momentum and, midway through the half, Celtic signalled that they were capable of menace with a knockdown header from Samaras that presented Commons with a clear sight of goal, but the Scottish international was thwarted by Michael Fraser’s reflex block.

The goalkeeper, though, was beaten as the interval approached when a Commons corner found Victor Wanyama for a header that smacked the crossbar.

County may have been on the back foot before the break but they struck Celtic a painful blow soon after the restart. Mikael Lustig put an end to a marauding run by Corcoran with a foul 22 yards out, beyond the left edge of the Hoops box. Brittain stepped up to take the free kick and stunned the raucous visiting support with a delivery that almost left contrails as it rasped beyond the astonished Fraser Forster and into the far corner of the net.

The shock stung Celtic into fierce efforts to retrieve their position but Derek Adams’ players displayed admirable spirit and impressive fitness to keep the champions at bay, although they needed the help of the crossbar once more when Charlie Mulgrew beat Fraser with a rising free kick from 25 yards.

Reprieved, County responded in kind, although with remarkable complicity by Celtic, who allowed their opponents to construct a leisurely passing movement which found Brittain loitering unmarked directly in front of the penalty box, from where he struck woodwork again.

Had that gone in, Celtic would surely have capitulated. The arrival of Watt, though, saved a point and broke the County supporters’ hearts.

BBC

By Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland

Ross County narrowly failed to record their first top-flight win after a draw with champions Celtic in Dingwall.

Richard Brittain scored the hosts' first ever goal in the top-flight with an expertly struck free-kick just four minutes into the second half.

Celtic hit the County woodwork on either side of the interval, but struggled to find a way through.

However, a low drive from Kris Commons in the fourth minute of added time salvaged a point for the visitors.

The draw extended County's unbeaten run of league matches to 37, as Celtic struggled with injury ahead of Tuesday's Champions League qualifier against Helsingborgs.

Neil Lennon's 10-man injury list meant he had to reshuffle his side with regulars Scott Brown, James Forrest, Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes all out as Georgios Samaras started up front with Commons supporting.

County made three changes with midfielder Stuart Kettlewell returning from suspension and Rocco Quinn and Mark Corcoran also coming in for Sam Morrow, Martin Scott and Paul Lawson, the latter two out injured.

Inside the first 10 minutes, Marc Fitzpatrick swung a tempting ball across the face of Celtic's goal that Kettlewell nodded inches wide of Fraser Forster's left-hand post.

Commons should have done better on the 25-minute mark with a low drive from inside the County penalty are that he struck straight at the feet of keeper Michael Fraser.

With almost 30 minutes played, Kettlewell tested Forster from 25 yards with a powerful strike, but the Englishman gathered comfortably. Moment later, Samaras headed down inside the Ross County six-yard box, but his effort was off-target.

Victor Wanyama struck the woodwork when the ball bounced off his shoulder from a Commons corner, then as half time approached Izaguirre failed to find a Celtic jersey inside the home penalty area with another trademark cross.

Only four minutes after the restart, Brittain blasted in an outstanding free-kick from 19 yards that Forster failed to reach at full-stretch.

Moments later, Samaras appeared to be denied a penalty when Brittain tripped him on the 18-yard line, but referee Craig Thomson was having none of it.

A long-distance Commons shot was kept out by Fraser as the hour mark approached, then Charlie Mulgrew struck a free-kick off the Ross County crossbar from 25 yards out.

Defender Mikael Lustig made way for striker Tony Watt as Lennon looked to restore the balance, but County continued to keep up the pressure.

Another Commons shot was deflected out for a corner by Grant Munro, then Brittain struck the Celtic crossbar from distance with Forster rooted to his line.

In the final two minutes of the match, Fraser kept his clean sheet with an instinctive save to deny a Samaras header and Watt's right-footed shot inched past the near-side post.

Then, moments later, Beram Kayal was unlucky to volley just over from ten yards out.

As the seconds ticked away and Celtic faced the prospect of a long tip home and nothing to show for it, Watt broke free on the right-hand side and worked into the County penalty area, then Fraser parried the Coatbridge man's shot before Commons followed up and struck low past Fraser to avoid defeat.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +4:09 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00 +2:39

Tony Watt provided the assist for the goal.
90:00 +2:39 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Ross Co 1 – 1 Celtic A goal is scored by Kris Commons from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Ross County 1-1 Celtic.
90:00 +1:28

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre on Stuart Kettlewell, free kick awarded. Ross Tokely takes the indirect free kick.
90:00 +1:28

Unfair challenge on Stuart Kettlewell by Emilio Izaguirre results in a free kick. Michael Fraser takes the indirect free kick.
89:26

Effort from the edge of the box by Tony Watt goes wide of the left-hand upright.
88:16

Effort on goal by Beram Kayal from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.
87:54

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Michael Fraser.
87:14

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Kris Commons.
86:43

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, clearance by Scott Boyd.
85:09

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Blocked by Scott Boyd.
84:45

Iain Vigurs challenges Beram Kayal unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
82:59

Headed effort from deep inside the area by Georgios Samaras misses to the right of the target.
80:25

Richard Brittain takes a shot.
76:37 Substitution

Substitution Paul Slane comes on in place of Kelvin Wilson.
75:00

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Stuart Kettlewell makes a clearance.
74:47

Kris Commons takes a shot. Richard Brittain gets a block in.
73:42

Rocco Quinn takes a shot. Blocked by Charlie Mulgrew. Inswinging corner taken by Iain Vigurs, Victor Wanyama makes a clearance.
72:00

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, clearance made by Grant Munro.
68:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Joe Ledley on Ross Tokely. Free kick crossed left-footed by Iain Vigurs, save by Fraser Forster.
67:34

Rocco Quinn fouled by Tony Watt, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Fraser.
67:04

Kris Commons takes a shot. Blocked by Scott Boyd.
61:27 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Tony Watt coming on for Mikael Lustig.
61:27

Mark Corcoran gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley. Charlie Mulgrew produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick. Ross Tokely gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Charlie Mulgrew produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick,
57:11

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser.
56:20

Foul by Beram Kayal on Richard Brittain, free kick awarded. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.
54:20

Mikael Lustig gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Corcoran. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Richard Brittain from left by-line, Mikael Lustig makes a clearance.
53:00

Foul by Scott Boyd on Kris Commons, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Joe Ledley.
52:30

Kelvin Wilson takes the direct free kick.
52:30 Booking

Booking Caution for Stuart Kettlewell.
52:24

Georgios Samaras fouled by Stuart Kettlewell, the ref awards a free kick.
51:19

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Kris Commons, Header from close in by Victor Wanyama misses to the left of the goal.
49:48

Shot by Joe Ledley from outside the box goes over the target.
48:36 Goal scored

Goal – Richard Brittain – Ross Co 1 – 0 Celtic Richard Brittain finds the net with a goal direct from the free kick from just outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Ross County 1-0 Celtic.
47:48

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Corcoran by Mikael Lustig.
47:10

Beram Kayal produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.
45:56

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Iain Vigurs. Direct free kick taken by Richard Brittain.
45:01

The second half begins.
45:00 +1:03 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00 +0:33

The referee blows for offside against Colin McMenamin. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
43:53

The referee blows for offside against Joe Ledley. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Fraser.
41:15

Foul by Beram Kayal on Richard Brittain, free kick awarded. Grant Munro restarts play with the free kick.
37:15

Georgios Samaras is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Fraser.
35:02

Outswinging corner taken by Kris Commons, Victor Wanyama takes a shot.
34:06

Corner taken by Kris Commons from the left by-line, Marc Fitzpatrick manages to make a clearance.
32:08

Unfair challenge on Rocco Quinn by Emilio Izaguirre results in a free kick. Iain Vigurs has an effort direct from the free kick. Effort on goal by Iain Vigurs from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
31:08

Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross.
28:19

Iain Vigurs takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
26:51

Unfair challenge on Adam Matthews by Marc Fitzpatrick results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Adam Matthews.
24:55

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster. Corner from the right by-line taken by Kris Commons, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marc Fitzpatrick by Victor Wanyama. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.
24:11

Unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Colin McMenamin results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
22:26

Unfair challenge on Scott Boyd by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick. Michael Fraser takes the indirect free kick.
20:26

Colin McMenamin concedes a free kick for a foul on Victor Wanyama. Victor Wanyama takes the free kick.
19:23

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Kelvin Wilson takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser.
18:23

Grant Munro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
17:38

Georgios Samaras produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.
14:15

Charlie Mulgrew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rocco Quinn. Ross Tokely takes the direct free kick.
13:20

Mark Corcoran is caught offside. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
12:19

Mark Corcoran challenges Mikael Lustig unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
10:59

Colin McMenamin fouled by Charlie Mulgrew, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Colin McMenamin.
9:21

The ball is delivered by Victor Wanyama.
8:24

Stuart Kettlewell produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.
6:18

The official flags Kris Commons offside. Marc Fitzpatrick takes the indirect free kick.
5:47

Unfair challenge on Mark Corcoran by Beram Kayal results in a free kick. Grant Munro takes the free kick.
4:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Iain Vigurs on Victor Wanyama. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick. Iain Vigurs concedes a free kick for a foul on Beram Kayal. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
3:41

Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Michael Fraser makes a save.
0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.