2012-12-22: Celtic 4-0 Ross County, SPL

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

Trivia

• Celtic on 37pts 5 ahead of next team with 1 game in hand.
• Forrest returns after injury; debut for John Herron.
• Celtic remain top of league for Xmas! Despite some iffy performances domestically we're still on top.
• Celtic drawn with Juventus in the Champions League round of 16, first leg in February.
• Neil Lennon's been named Manager of 2012 by @SkySports
• Stories begin for transfer window, Hooper to Southampton and Paddy McCourt to the US MSL etc.
• The Sun excel themselves by twisting an innocuous set of comments by Lennon in an interview with the Guardian to make a nasty full back page article. Pathetic.
• Fraser Forster gets named by Uefa as amongst top young talent in Europe.
• Sevco share offer didn't get fully subscribed.
• Former Celtic player George Hazlett passed away on 21st. RIP.

Review

(Greatpoint67 of KDS)
Started the first 15 minutes well and some good build up play but lost it after that until halftime. Came straight out the blocks in 2nd half and it could easily have been six.

Two good saves by Fraser in first half stopped it being a tougher match.

Big Kelvin looking a bit bombscare again at times.

Hooper worked his ass off 2nd half and looked desperate to get a hatrick.

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Stats

Celtic Ross County
Possession
20% 80%
90mins

Shots
13 7

On target
9 4

Corners
4 4

Fouls
5 12

Articles

Gary Hooper's double leads Celtic to ruthless win over Ross County

Celtic 4

Brown 46,
Hooper 53,
Hooper 64,
Forrest 70

Ross County 0

Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
The Observer, Saturday 22 December 2012 17.20 GMT

On occasions this season, Celtic have not heeded first-half warnings during home domestic matches. There was no such slackness from the Scottish Premier League champions in their final game before Christmas, in endorsing their position at the head of the division. Celtic are well on schedule to have the defence of their title all-but wrapped up before tackling Juventus in the Champions League's last 16 in February and March.

Neil Lennon is both comfortable and successful in the Celtic manager's chair but an image of Ross County may still make him wince. When a First Division team, County bundled Celtic out of the Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage, in supposedly undermining Lennon's aspirations of progressing from being a caretaker manager.

County also held Celtic to a draw when the teams met in Dingwall on the opening day of the season. The intervening spell has been generally kind to Lennon and County, who arrived in Glasgow's East End for the first time as an SPL club. The reality of County's position as a Highland League outfit a mere 18 years ago makes their subsequent rise all the more laudable.

By the interval here, County had cause to rue the wasting of two glorious opportunities. That lack of cutting edge will lead to County fighting for SPL survival, particularly when coupled with their generous defending.

The subsequent 45 minutes, perhaps triggered by some stern Lennon talking, proved another matter entirely. Celtic were at their ruthless, flowing best.

Lennon was also boosted by the return from injury of James Forrest. The one disappointing aspect of Celtic's memorable Champions League run so far is that the young winger hasnot been able to play a prominent part because of persistent ankle trouble. Forrest, arguably Scotland's brightest, young playing hope, stepped from among the substitutes after 58 minutes and marked his appearance with a fine, solo goal.

Long before Forrest's strike, County were cursing the profligacy of Rocco Quinn and Alex Cooper. Quinn had already angled a fierce long-range drive only narrowly over Fraser Forster's bar by the time Cooper played him in, 18 yards out. The former Celtic midfielder opted to shoot first time when he had time to do a lot more; Forster was thereby able to collect a tame shot.

The roles were reversed seconds before half-time, this time Quinn feeding Cooper who found himself bearing down on Forster. Cooper's shot lacked conviction to allow Celtic another let-off. The hosts' best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to Gary Hooper, with Mark Brown saving the forward's header.

Whatever message Lennon pressed home during half-time, it was heeded. In Celtic's first attack of the second half, their captain Scott Brown collected Hooper's pass before lashing home a low finish.

A couple of headed interventions from Hooper followed. Lassad was the architect of the first, albeit questions must be asked over a County central defence who were rather simply out jumped by Hooper.

Celtic's third arrived in similar circumstances, this time after County failed to clear a Charlie Mulgrew corner. Hooper, who does not score many with his head, nodded past Brown from six yards.

Forrest was rightly the recipient of a warm ovation as he stepped from the bench to make his first appearance since October. He was to receive even more acclaim on account of a fine goal, skipping through the County defence and wrong footing Brown to endorse what was by now clear Celtic superiority. Lennon was afforded the luxury of giving 18-year-old attacking midfielder John Herron his debut as a replacement for Georgios Samaras,

Hooper was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar five minutes from time and then by a Brown save after a cleverly executed backheel. It mattered not; Celtic were afforded the kind of full-time ovation from their fans that has been strangely rare on the SPL front in recent months.

BBC

By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic produced an outstanding second-half performance to blow away a hitherto resolute Ross County.

The visitors missed two golden opportunities in a goalless first period and were punished ruthlessly after the break.

Scott Brown broke their resistance and Gary Hooper headed in a quick second.

Hooper added the third goal, again with his head, before James Forrest came off the bench and marked his comeback from injury with a fine solo effort.

The victory stretches Celtic's lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to five points with a game in hand over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Forrest celebrates scoring his first goal of the season

Forrest celebrates scoring his first goal of the season

But their performance in either half could hardly have been more contrasting, with Neil Lennon presumably having something to say at the interval about an indecisive display in the opening 45 minutes.

That said, Celtic were utterly dominant during the opening stages, with Mark Brown saving from a Lassad header and a Charlie Mulgrew shot before also reacting quickly to palm away a header from Hooper.

County began to come to terms with Celtic's narrow set-up, the midfield three and front three all playing in largely central areas, and created a couple of openings of their own, the most threatening of which ended with Rocco Quinn sending a fierce drive from outside the box just over Fraser Forster's bar.

Hooper, playing behind Samaras and Lassad, nonetheless looked Celtic's greatest threat and had two goal-bound shots blocked, first by Mihael Kovacevic and then Marc Fitzpatrick.

The home fans chanted "Bring on the Juve", but the intensity of their Champions League performances was, not for the first time this season, lacking.

Kayal, playing as industriously as ever, did bring a decent save out of Brown a few minutes before the break, but Celtic could just as easily have found themselves behind at the interval.

Quinn tamely passed the ball into the arms of Forster with the goal at his mercy and then Alex Cooper fired straight at the goalkeeper.
Play media

County were made to regret those misses not two minutes into the second half as Hooper slid the ball through for the onrushing Brown, who, from the angle of the six-yard box, fired under his namesake in the visitors' goal.

Six minutes later, Hooper had a goal of his own as he glanced a Lassad cross past the keeper from all of six yards.

Those goals knocked the fight out of County and, by the time Celtic struck again, the home side were cruising.

The third goal came from a Mulgrew corner, which was headed down by Victor Wanyama and nodded into the net by Hooper once more.

That came in 64 minutes and it was soon followed by a fourth – a wonderful run and finish by the substitute, Forrest, marking his first appearance since October with his first goal of the season.
Play media

Hooper almost had his hat-trick with five minutes remaining, but his close-range lunge forced the ball against the woodwork.

Shortly afterwards, had a back-flick wound up in the net rather than in the arms of Brown, it would have been a fitting end to a splendid Celtic move.

Nonetheless, Hooper and his team-mates had already done more than enough to merit a convincing victory.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:19 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
87:12 Substitution

Substitution Gary Glen replaces Stuart Kettlewell.
85:40

Tony Watt challenges Paul Lawson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Scott Boyd.
84:46

Tony Watt produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.
83:59

Gary Hooper takes a shot.
82:10 Substitution

Substitution John Herron is brought on as a substitute for Georgios Samaras.
77:59

Corner taken left-footed by Iain Vigurs, clearance by Efe Ambrose.
77:08

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Richard Brittain played to the near post, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
76:07 Substitution

Substitution Rocco Quinn leaves the field to be replaced by Paul Lawson.
74:11 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Tony Watt coming on for Lassad Nouioui.
74:11

Scott Boyd gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
71:38 Booking

Booking Kelvin Wilson receives a caution.
71:16

Kelvin Wilson challenges Iain Vigurs unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Richard Brittain.
69:34

Assist by Gary Hooper.
69:34 Goal scored

Goal – James Forrest – Celtic 4 – 0 Ross Co James Forrest fires in a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 4-0 Ross County.
68:03 Booking

Booking Grant Munro goes into the book.
65:56 Booking

Booking The referee shows Richard Brittain a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
65:41

Richard Brittain challenges Gary Hooper unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
63:06

The assist for the goal came from Victor Wanyama.
63:06 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 3 – 0 Ross Co Gary Hooper finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the box. Celtic 3-0 Ross County.
62:39

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew,
60:49 Booking

Booking The referee shows Stuart Kettlewell a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
60:34

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
57:36 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest replaces Beram Kayal.
57:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stuart Kettlewell on Beram Kayal. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
56:07

Effort on goal by Rocco Quinn from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
53:59 Substitution

Substitution Mark Corcoran replaces Alex Cooper.
52:10

Lassad Nouioui provided the assist for the goal.
52:10 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 2 – 0 Ross Co Gary Hooper finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Celtic 2-0 Ross County.
51:29

Rocco Quinn is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
48:37

Rocco Quinn gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre. Victor Wanyama takes the indirect free kick.
47:40

Mihael Kovacevic takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
45:56

Gary Hooper provided the assist for the goal.
45:56 Goal scored

Goal – Scott Brown – Celtic 1 – 0 Ross Co Goal scored by Scott Brown from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Ross County.
45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:00 +2:52 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.
45:00 +0:13

Alex Cooper takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster. Corner taken right-footed by Richard Brittain from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Efe Ambrose.
41:11

Scott Brown fouled by Marc Fitzpatrick, the ref awards a free kick. Efe Ambrose restarts play with the free kick.
39:26

Rocco Quinn takes a shot. Save by Mark Brown.
38:28

Beram Kayal has a drilled shot. Save made by Mark Brown.
37:30

The ball is sent over by Lassad Nouioui, Grant Munro manages to make a clearance.
33:38

Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross.
33:09

Stuart Kettlewell challenges Victor Wanyama unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
31:26

Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Grant Munro manages to make a clearance.
30:47

Effort from 20 yards by Alex Cooper. Save by Fraser Forster.
29:56

Shot by Lassad Nouioui. Save made by Mark Brown.
28:17

Foul by Alex Cooper on Georgios Samaras, free kick awarded. Victor Wanyama takes the indirect free kick.
27:17

Beram Kayal has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.
25:42

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball.
24:30

Unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre by Alex Cooper results in a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
23:19

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, Richard Brittain makes a clearance.
21:48

Scott Brown is ruled offside. Mark Brown restarts play with the free kick.
20:33

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Grant Munro.
18:37

Stuart Kettlewell concedes a free kick for a foul on Georgios Samaras. Charlie Mulgrew takes the indirect free kick.
15:42

Foul by Mihael Kovacevic on Georgios Samaras, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Victor Wanyama, Rocco Quinn produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.
15:42

Mihael Kovacevic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
14:19

Alex Cooper fouled by Victor Wanyama, the ref awards a free kick. Iain Vigurs takes the indirect free kick.
13:28

Beram Kayal takes a shot.
12:27

Stuart Kettlewell takes a shot.
10:31

Headed cross/shot by Gary Hooper, save by Mark Brown.
8:26

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on Mihael Kovacevic. Mark Brown takes the indirect free kick.
7:22

Foul by Stuart Kettlewell on Beram Kayal, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Beram Kayal.
6:11

Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Save by Mark Brown.
5:19

Scott Boyd challenges Beram Kayal unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Georgios Samaras.
4:35

Beram Kayal gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richard Brittain. Free kick taken by Mark Brown.
3:16

Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross, Lassad Nouioui takes a shot. Save by Mark Brown.
2:27

The ball is sent over by Georgios Samaras, Richard Brittain makes a clearance.
0:00

The match has kicked off.

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