2013-02-09: Inverness CT 1-3 Celtic, SPL

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Trivia

• Celtic win top of the table clash, 18pts ahead of Caley. Celtic on 55pts!
• Celtic fielding a second string side practically due to the upcoming match v Juventus.
• Quite an international side as one quipped: "An Australian, an Englishman, some Irish, two Israelis, several Scots, a Venezuelan, and a Welshman walk into a bar. Oh look, it's Celtic."
• Rogic and Gershon given debuts.
• Gershon scores on his debut, Rogic set up a goal on his debut. Much maligned Miku grabs a goal too.
• Concern that as Commons started it means he's not starting on Tuesday. Scores today.
• Forster return after injury spell. Izaguirre back for Tuesday.
• Efe Ambrose to play for Nigeria in the final of the African Nations Cup on Sunday (good luck to him).

Review

(SteviefromBelfast from KDS forum)
Enjoyed that but for a long time it felt liek a pre-season game when you were watching what the 'new' players are like rather than the overall team.
In a good game I thought Kayal, Rogne and Stokes did very well in 'leading' the rest. I thought Dylan McGeouch was our best player and the lad Rogic was fine until he tired in teh second-half. Not so sure about Gershon but he did take his goal well. As for Paddy mcCourt its just a pity that this guy is about 60 years too late in the game – in the 50's they would have loved him out sharing Woodbines with Charlie Tully and then playing wonderful football between smokes.
Most admit I didnt fancy Miku at all today but fair play to him for his goal. I'm glad Big lurch played today because he looked very rusty – hopefully that 90 minutes will get him back up to speed.
18 points clear and we've had a poor league season!

(Bawman of KDS forum)
Miku – flashes of capability for SPL football and slotted away his chance.
Rogic – Excellent start to the game, died a death, came back at the end. Will be a very useful Celtic player IMO. Why? He has a touch and he's big.
McGeouch – Needs to play football regularly. Screaming out fer a loan.
Paddy – Sorry but it's over in the Hoops. Rogic is getting your wage next season.
Rogne – immense and will probably be injured for a month after that.
Gershon – Sign him. Big, strong and brave.
Forster – Good to get that out the way.
The young Bhoys – That will do you the world of good.
Kayal – Life in him yet.
Commons – A canter fer him.

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Stats

Inverness Caledonian Thistle Celtic

Possession
55% 45%
90mins

Shots
7 12

On target
4 7

Corners
5 8

Fouls
7 16

Articles

Inverness CT 1-3 Celtic: Match Report

Football.co.uk
www.football.co.uk/inverness_caledonian_thistle/inverness_ct_1-3_celtic__match_report_rss3695282.shtml
Published : 09 Feb 2013 14:31:28

A makeshift Celtic side cruised to a 3-1 victory over Inverness at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium to go 18 points clear of the Highlanders at the top of Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Nick Ross gave Caley the lead in the ninth minute only for Hoops midfielder Kris Commons to level in the 20th minute with the sweetest of left-footed strikes.

Three minutes into the second half debutant Rami Gershon headed the champions into the lead before Miku grabbed a third in the 82nd minute as the visitors ran out easy winners.

However, for the Parkhead club, this game was less about cementing their place at the top of the table and more about the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Juventus at Parkhead on Tuesday night.

As promised, Neil Lennon rang the changes although number one keeper Fraser Forster was back after recovering from a neck injury and handed the captaincy in the absence of Scott Brown.

Israel centre-back Gershon, on loan until the end of the season from Standard Liege, and Australian midfielder Tom Rogic, who signed from Central Coast Mariners, were two of nine changes to the side that beat Raith Rovers in the William Hill Scottish Cup last week.

Defender Marcus Fraser started in the SPL for the first time while there were rare starts for Paddy McCourt, Dylan McGeouch and Miku.

Caley showed one change with midfielder Ross Draper in for Richie Foran, who was not even in the squad.

The lunchtime kick-off gave a sleepy feel to the stadium with both sides taking time to get into their stride.

The first real effort on goal came in the seventh minute when Caley striker Billy McKay took a pass from Draper at the edge of the box following a swift break but fired wide of the target.

Two minutes later though, with Hoops fans still making their way into the ground, Terry Butcher's men went ahead.

Aaron Doran's dangerous right-footed cross from the left appeared to be kneed away by Forster but only as far as Ross at the edge of the box who, with green and white shirts slow to close him down, fired it back into the corner of the net.

The goal stung Celtic into action and it was Rogic who showed why Lennon was so keen to bring him over from Australia in January.

The midfielder drove into the right side of box, skipping past Owain Tudur Jones with ease, and when his cutback arrived at Commons on the far side, the Scotland midfielder rifled it high past Ryan Esson from 14 yards.

The champions were up and running and moments later Hoops striker Anthony Stokes laid the ball back to Rogic and his side-footed shot from outside the box went just over the bar.

Celtic had control of matters and in the 32nd minute they were presented with a good opportunity after McCourt was hauled back 25 yards from goal by Draper but Commons blasted the free-kick over the bar.

Five minutes from the break Commons regained possession and drove forward before setting up Stokes on the left side of the box.

However, the Irishman's powerful drive was blocked by Caley defender Josh Meekings for a corner, which the home side survived.

Moments later, in a rare attack at the other end, Doran set up Andrew Shinnie with a cross from the right but the Inverness forward slashed the ball over from 12 yards.

Joe Chalmers replaced Commons for the start of the second half, emphasising again the importance Lennon was giving to the visit of Juventus.

There was a penalty shout moments after the restart when Doran's cross from the right was blocked by Fraser but referee Craig Thomson pointed for a corner kick and the Parkhead men easily cleared their lines.

Gershon's goal in the 48th minute was simple enough.

The Israeli stopper rose inside a packed Caley box to power a header past the helpless Esson from McGeouch's flighted cross and suddenly Inverness looked shot of confidence.

On the hour mark Stokes headed a McGeouch corner off the bar before Caley eventually got the ball away at the expense of another corner, which they defended, if shakily.

The home side rallied in the final quarter and for the first time in the game, began to exert some pressure.

In the 71st minute, as the ball pinballed around the Celtic penalty area, Hoops substitute Adam Matthews, on for Gershon, was on hand to clear a shot from McKay off the line as the Parkhead side wobbled.

However, with eight minutes remaining Caley found themselves further behind as they pushed up the park.

Tony Watt, on for McCourt, sent Stokes free on a counter-attack and when the former Hibernian striker played in Miku he slotted it past Esson from eight yards and there was still time for the Venezuelan to then hit the post from a Matthews cross.

In the end, Celtic's victory with what was effectively a reserve side was convincing and while it may not frighten Juventus, it looks ominous for the rest of Scottish football for the forthcoming years.

BBC
By Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland

Celtic recovered from an early setback to clock up a comfortable win against Caley Thistle in Inverness.

A Nick Ross ninth-minute strike gave the hosts an early lead, but Kris Commons' left-footed curler restored parity 10 minutes later.

Four minutes into the second half, Rami Gershon headed in a Dylan McGeouch cross to put Celtic ahead.

Miku completed the victory for Neil Lennon's with a late strike against the run of play.

The win puts Celtic 18 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League, with Caley Thistle holding on to second place with a match in hand over Celtic.

Gershon and Tom Rogic were handed debuts as Lennon fielded a dramatically-changed side – featuring nine changes – with one eye on the midweek Champions League last 16 clash with Italian giants Juventus.

In contrast, Caley made just one change with midfielder Ross Draper coming in for Richie Foran, who failed to make the squad.

Celtic were on the back foot for most of the opening 10 minutes and Inverness took an early lead when Aaron Doran flighted in a cross from the left that Fraser Forster parried to the feet of Ross who then struck low into the bottom corner.

Lennon's men responded 10 minutes later when Rogic swept past two Caley defenders and cut back for Commons, who wrapped his left foot around the ball and swerved an 18-yard screamer towards the top-left corner of Ryan Esson's goal.

Rogic almost gave Celtic the lead in the 24th minute when Anthony Stokes delivered a reverse-pass on the edge of the D, but the Australian edged his shot over the crossbar.

A Commons free-kick from the edge of the penalty area shortly after the half-hour mark sailed miserably into the back row of the stand, then Stokes claimed for a penalty when his angled drive appeared to rebound off the arm of Josh Meekings, but referee Craig Thomson awarded a corner instead.

As half-time approached, Andrew Shinnie was unlucky to see a mis-cued close-range effort loop over the bar as Caley pushed to re-take the lead.

Following the interval, 19-year-old Joe Chalmers was brought on in place of Commons and almost immediately Caley were claiming a penalty when Dorans' cross appeared to strike the elbow of Marcus Fraser, but, once again, Thomson waved play on.

Celtic quickly moved play to the other end and Gershon nodded in a powerful downwards header from six yards after good work from McGeouch to give Celtic a well-earned lead.

Inverness struggled to regain traction as the visitors began to stamp their authority on the game, and the advantage could have been extended further when Stokes nodded a McGeouch corner off the crossbar on the hour mark.

A good period of pressure followed for Caley when Ross struck for goal and the ball rebounded back out to Billy McKay, but Celtic defender Adam Matthews managed to clear the close-range effort off the goal-line.

Caley continued their hunt for an equaliser, but Celtic completed the victory with seven minutes of regulation time remaining when Miku picked up a pass from Stokes neatly threaded into the Caley penalty area and he calmly slotted past Esson to wrap up all three points

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:07 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +1:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Billy McKay on Marcus Fraser. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
90:00 +1:26

The official flags Tony Watt offside. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.
90:00 +0:22

Andrew Shinnie produces a cross.
89:38

Billy McKay is caught offside. Thomas Rogne takes the direct free kick.
87:49 Substitution

Substitution Aaron Doran leaves the field to be replaced by Shane Sutherland.
87:01

Joe Chalmers takes a short corner.
86:45

Nicolas Fedor Miku takes a shot. Blocked by Ross Draper.
86:03

Centre by Adam Matthews, Nicolas Fedor Miku produces a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box and bounces off the post.
85:09

Graeme Shinnie decides to take a short corner.
84:07

Drilled left-footed shot by Anthony Stokes. Save made by Ryan Esson.
83:48

Corner from the left by-line taken by Joe Chalmers, David Raven makes a clearance.
83:29

Effort from 20 yards by Tom Rogic. Josh Meekings gets a block in.
81:37

Anthony Stokes provided the assist for the goal.
81:37 Goal scored

Goal – Nicolas Fedor Miku – Inverness 1 – 3 Celtic Nicolas Fedor Miku fires in a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-3 Celtic.
80:41

Thomas Rogne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie. Aaron Doran restarts play with the free kick.
79:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie by Dylan McGeouch. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
78:32

Shot by Philip Roberts. Save by Fraser Forster.
77:27 Substitution

Substitution Tony Watt comes on in place of Patrick McCourt.
75:49 Substitution

Substitution Nick Ross leaves the field to be replaced by Philip Roberts.
75:26

The ball is swung over by Aaron Doran, save by Fraser Forster.
72:05

The ball is swung over by David Raven.
70:41

Nick Ross takes a shot. Clearance by Marcus Fraser.
67:58

Nick Ross produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Marcus Fraser.
66:56

Corner taken left-footed by Graeme Shinnie from the right by-line, clearance by Marcus Fraser.
66:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Beram Kayal. Gary Warren restarts play with the free kick.
65:19

Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
65:19 Substitution

Substitution Adam Matthews is brought on as a substitute for Rami Gershon.
65:19

Foul by Graeme Shinnie on Dylan McGeouch, free kick awarded.
63:36

Owain Tudur Jones concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicolas Fedor Miku. Free kick crossed by Joe Chalmers, Owain Tudur Jones makes a clearance.
62:28

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Aaron Doran from the left by-line, Josh Meekings concedes a free kick for a foul on Fraser Forster. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
61:35

The offside flag is raised against Anthony Stokes. Gary Warren restarts play with the free kick.
59:40

Inswinging corner taken by Joe Chalmers, clearance made by Gary Warren.
58:55

Corner taken right-footed by Dylan McGeouch from the left by-line, Anthony Stokes takes a shot.
54:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tom Rogic on Ross Draper. Ross Draper restarts play with the free kick.
53:31

Aaron Doran crosses the ball.
53:10

Unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Rami Gershon results in a free kick. Andrew Shinnie takes the free kick.
52:57

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Warren by Anthony Stokes. Gary Warren takes the free kick.
52:35

Andrew Shinnie crosses the ball.
51:48

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Doran by Joe Chalmers. Aaron Doran crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Nicolas Fedor Miku makes a clearance.
49:17

Marcus Fraser challenges Andrew Shinnie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Graeme Shinnie from left channel, clearance by Marcus Fraser.
47:42

The assist for the goal came from Dylan McGeouch.
47:42 Goal scored

Goal – Rami Gershon – Inverness 1 – 2 Celtic Rami Gershon grabs a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Inverness CT 1-2 Celtic.
46:57

Corner taken by Joe Chalmers from the right by-line played to the near post, Owain Tudur Jones manages to make a clearance.
46:10

Graeme Shinnie takes a short corner.
45:36 Substitution

Substitution Joe Chalmers comes on in place of Kris Commons.
45:01

The match restarts for the second half.
45:00 +0:08 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.
43:13

David Raven delivers the ball.
42:19

Centre by Aaron Doran, Andrew Shinnie produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.
39:51

Short corner taken by Dylan McGeouch from the left by-line. Shot by Patrick McCourt. Blocked by Thomas Rogne.
39:33

Shot from 12 yards from Anthony Stokes. Gary Warren gets a block in.
38:49

Nicolas Fedor Miku concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Warren. Gary Warren takes the free kick.
36:52

Graeme Shinnie has a drilled shot. Dylan McGeouch gets a block in.
36:24

Andrew Shinnie fouled by Rami Gershon, the ref awards a free kick. Aaron Doran takes the direct free kick.
33:35

Nicolas Fedor Miku gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Raven. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.
31:18

Unfair challenge on Patrick McCourt by Ross Draper results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Kris Commons from the free kick.
28:45

Andrew Shinnie is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Rami Gershon.
25:31

Thomas Rogne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie. Free kick crossed right-footed by Aaron Doran from right channel, Patrick McCourt manages to make a clearance.
23:40

Shot by Tom Rogic from outside the box goes high over the target.
21:28

Unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Rami Gershon results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Josh Meekings.
20:25

Inswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, save by Ryan Esson.
19:19

Tom Rogic provided the assist for the goal.
19:19 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Inverness 1 – 1 Celtic Kris Commons fires in a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-1 Celtic.
18:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Graeme Shinnie on Thomas Rogne. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Rogne.
15:48

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons played to the near post, Owain Tudur Jones manages to make a clearance.
14:52

Unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Tom Rogic results in a free kick. Graeme Shinnie takes the free kick.
10:41

Beram Kayal challenges Billy McKay unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Josh Meekings.
8:54 Goal scored

Goal – Nick Ross – Inverness 1 – 0 Celtic Goal scored by Nick Ross from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-0 Celtic.
8:11

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Aaron Doran, clearance by Nicolas Fedor Miku.
6:37

Foul by Beram Kayal on Andrew Shinnie, free kick awarded. Graeme Shinnie takes the direct free kick.
6:06

Billy McKay has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.
5:22

Josh Meekings concedes a free kick for a foul on Nicolas Fedor Miku. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons from right channel, clearance made by David Raven.
3:41

Patrick McCourt delivers the ball.
0:00

The match has kicked off.

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