2013-04-21: Celtic 4-1 Inverness CT, SPL

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

Trivia

• Celtic win the league

• 44 honest league titles; Celtic now the club to have the most SPL titles (one more than the next)
• First game of league split.
• Incredibly Hooper's first league goal ever v Inv Caley.
• Neil Lennon allowed on pitch for celebrations after 15 mins due to pitch side ban (see next point)!
• Neil Lennon banned for three games (so to the stands) after "bad language" used in match v St Mirren.! "I won´t appeal," he added. "It´s pointless and I could miss the cup final, which I am sure a lot of people would love to happen. Celtic very supportive and state: Clearly we are extremely surprised and disappointed by today´s decision. Fundamentally the particular disciplinary system in place is absurd – a system where such a case can be brought on the strength of two ´complaints´ from people totally unconnected to the match in question, while a fourth official overseeing the technical area during the match makes no mention of any incident to the SFA. ´Despite even supportive comments from numerous individuals including Jim Goodwin himself, this judgement has been made, something which we find quite astonishing.´It is clear that this decision will have huge repercussions for the game in Scotland and we are sure Hampden Stadium will be a very busy place now every Monday morning.´
• Neil Lennon to appear on next show for the. BBC quiz show A Question of Sport.
• League reconstruction plans which were supported by all are scuppered by two clubs in vote, which is a sham. Restructuring is desperately needed and opponents have seriously damaged the process.
• Oldco chief exec and supposed owner Charles Green resigns from Rangers, or pushed for being a complete muppet.
• Lots of Hun shenanigans in press, will leave to others to run on.

Review

(bumblebee tuna of KDS)
Thought it was a great day today.
First half was a bit flat but second half we were buzzing. Great goals, great entertainment and a championship was clinched.

This has been one of my favourite seasons as a season ticket holder. There have been good games and bad games (as there always are) but overall it's been enjoyable and the lack of huns has created a much more relaxing atmosphere where the focus is the football and nothing else. Someone else mentioned it but all they bring is poison to the league and to our games as well. I hope we never have to play a team called Rangers ever again, it's just not worth the aggravation.

(Owenybhoy of KDS)
Apart from Commons we were crap up until the first goal.
After that we kind of clicked for a wee bit without being spectacular.
However the result was the main thing, and it was good to get a couple of goals.
Thought between Forster and Ambrose their goal was laughable.
Kind of summed both of them up since injury and the return from the African cup respectively.
Atmosphere wasn't quite as 'rockin' as previous title celebrations either.

Anyway, less negatives. Champions. Again.

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Stats

Celtic Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Possession
40%60%
90mins

Shots
19 3

On target
10 3

Corners
6 5

Fouls
13 7

Articles

Celtic 4 – 1 Inverness CT: Celtic are champions

The Scotsman

By RONNIE ESPLIN
Published on Sunday 21 April 2013 14:47

CELTIC clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title with a commanding second-half performance against Inverness at Celtic Park.

Scorers: Celtic – Hooper 61, 73, Ledley 66, Samaras 88; ICT – Doran 90

The Hoops went into the game only needing a point but they did not come to life until after a dull, goalless first half when a Gary Hooper double and a strike by stand-in skipper Joe Ledley in between, got the celebrations fully under way.

Georgios Samaras, on for Anthony Stokes, completed the scoring for Celtic with a virtuoso goal two minutes from time as Aaron Doran netted an even later consolation for the visitors.

Celtic can now look forward to the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian at Hampden next month, where they will try to complete the domestic double. Combined with a run to the Champions League last 16, that would represent a fine campaign for Neil Lennon and his side.

The Hoops boss made one change with Stokes, who scored the winner in last week’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Dundee United, replacing Emilio Izaguirre who started on the bench.

Caley boss Terry Butcher, whose side had won here in November, brought back defender Gary Warren for Danny Devine, who was named among the substitutes.

Lennon watched from the stand, serving the first of a three-game ban after being found guilty of offensive language towards St Mirren skipper Jim Goodwin in a game at the end of March, and would have expected better in the first half in which side were a little sluggish.

In the 12th minute Stokes headed a Kris Commons corner over the crossbar, moments before midfielder Victor Wanyama somehow headed wide after right-back Mikael Lustig’s cross from the right had the Inverness defence in a flap.

Wanyama’s clever pass released Hooper in the 23rd minute but when he lobbed Caley goalkeeper Antonio Reguero there was time for Warren to race back to head over for a corner.

Almost 10 minutes later Stokes had the ball in the net but the flag was up several seconds beforehand to stifle the cheers.

There was a scare for the home side in the 37th minute when Graeme Shinnie’s inswinging corner from the right was flicked on by Owain Tudur Jones before the ball flew out the other side of the box. That was enough to remind the home fans that the title was not yet won.

A minute before the break Stokes’ angled drive sped past the far post and there were claims for a free-kick at the edge of the box when Inverness defender Josh Meekings prevented Hooper going through but referee Kevin Clancy ignored the furore before bringing the first half to a close.

Izaguirre replaced James Forrest for the start of the second half with Charlie Mulgrew moving into midfield and Devine came on for Warren five minutes after the restart.

Still the game refused to burst into life and there was some agitation in the stands and in the Celtic dugout which increased further when Hoops defender Efe Ambrose headed a Commons corner over the bar from close range in the 56th minute.

Four minutes later, however, Celtic got the breakthrough.

It was all too easy for Commons to play the ball into the box to Hooper, who held off Graeme Shinnie before driving low past the helpless Reguero from 12 yards.

That was the signal for the home side to push on and Ledley set up the overlapping Lustig before getting on the end of the return pass to guide the ball past Reguero and into the far corner of the net.

Celtic Park came to life as the home fans vociferously began the count down to the final whistle.

In the 70th minute, with Celtic piling forward looking for more goals, Reguero did well to parry Lustig’s deflected cross-***-shot from the right before the move ended with Wanyama blasting over the crossbar.

However, the hosts were not to be denied and three minutes later Hooper’s fancy flick from Commons’ driven cross from the left ended up behind Reguero for number three.

Celtic dropped their guard for a few moments, allowing Caley a couple of chances but Samaras finished the game in fine style with a solo effort which ended with him crashing a shot from a tight angle in off the crossbar. Doran’s goal in the final seconds of injury time, as he capitalised on slack defending, was a mere footnote.

CELTIC: Forster, Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew, Lustig, Commons, Ledley, Forrest, Wanyama, Stokes, Hooper. Subs: Zaluska, Izaguirre, Rogic, McCourt, Kayal, Samaras, Watt.

ICT: Reguero, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tudur-Jones, Draper, Shinnie, McKay, Foran, Doran. Subs: Mathieson, Hogg, Devine, Taylor, Ross, Polworth.

Lennon proud as Celtic clinch Scottish league title

By Alistair Watson (AFP) – 2 hours ago

GLASGOW — Celtic clinched their second successive Scottish Premier League championship after a clinical second half display sealed a 4-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead.

Before the match Hoops boss Neil Lennon, who was starting a three-match touchline ban, had demanded his players win the title in style.

However, Lennon was frustrated early on as his side, who only needed a point to secure the title, squandered a number of early chances.

The Celtic fans had to wait until the 61st minute to get the party started when a fine strike from Gary Hooper opened the scoring.

Stand-in skipper Joe Ledley fired home a second five minutes later before Hooper got his 28th goal of the season with a clever back-flick in the 73rd minute.

Substitute Georgios Samaras added a fourth in the 88th minute and Aaron Doran pulled one back for Inverness in stoppage time as Celtic moved 15 points clear of Motherwell with four matches remaining to land their 44th title.

However, the Hoops didn't have it all their own way with the Glasgow giants having lost six and drawn six so far and are set to secure their lowest ever points tally in Lennon's three full seasons in charge.

Yet the manager's overwhelming emotion was one of pride.

"I'm proud of the players for the way they've played this season. The second half was indicative of the way that we've played in the three years I've been in charge," said Lennon, who could lead his side to a domestic double if they overcome Hibernian in next month's Scottish Cup final.

"It's pretty special and I never take these things for granted. I know from my own personal experiences over the years that winning the championship is the ultimate goal for any professional in football and I hope that my players enjoy the moment."

Inverness coach Terry Butcher said Celtic had been worthy champions.

"It's hard to stop Celtic when they are in that mood and have a sniff of the title," he said.

"We gave some poor goals away and Celtic could have scored more. They are worthy champions without a doubt."

The Hoops had the ball in the net in the 34th minute when Anthony Stokes rounded Reguero and rolled the ball home but his effort was ruled out for a tight offside decision.

Inverness came close to taking a shock lead in the 38th minute when Owain Tudor-Jones glanced a header from Graeme Shinnie's corner just wide in a congested Celtic box.

The Hoops finally made the breakthrough courtesy of Hooper. Commons played the ball in between two Inverness defenders to Hooper, who took a couple of touches before lashing home a angled strike through the legs of Graeme Shinnie and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Ledley made it 2-0 five minutes later. Mikel Lustig charged down the right and his low cross found Ledley in space and he took a touch before firing home.

Hooper added another in the 73rd minute. Commons beat his man and drilled a cross in from the left that Hooper cleverly flicked past Reguero with his heel.

Substitute Samaras added a fourth when he raced down the left and cut into the box before lashing home an unstoppable left-foot strike in off the crossbar before Doran pulled one back in stoppage time for Inverness.

BBC
By Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland
Comments (219)

Celtic retained the Scottish Premier League championship title following a comfortable home victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Joe Ledley's right-footed drive in the 66th minute was sandwiched by a Gary Hooper double strike, the Englishman sparking a lacklustre match to life.

Substitute Georgios Samaras thundered a fourth off the underside of the crossbar.

Aaron Doran's late strike was scant consolation as the party commenced.

In a season where Neil Lennon's men defeated Barcelona in the group stages of the Champions League, the 44th league title win was never in doubt with the absence of city rival Rangers.
CELTIC'S SPL STATS

The win is Celtic's 44th league championship title in their 125-year history
Celtic have now won the SPL title eight times – one more than any other club
Celtic have won six out of the last 10 SPL titles
Neil Lennon has now won the SPL seven times – twice as a manager, five times as a player

However, Celtic's 72-point tally includes six draws and six defeats, four of which were suffered on the road, and the club is now on course for its lowest season haul under the Northern Irishman, having finished the 2010-11 season in second place with 92 points.

A glancing header from Caley midfielder Owain Tudur-Jones inched past the Celtic post in the only first-half effort from the visitors.

Anthony Stokes had the ball in the back of the net shortly after the half-hour mark, but the assistant referee had already flagged him offside.

After a goalless first half, Emilio Izaguirre replaced the injured James Forrest for the restart as a similar pattern to the match continued: a free header for Efe Ambrose from six yards out clearing the Caley Thistle crossbar.

The stalemate was finally broken when Hooper found the net with a cool finish, picking up a threaded pass from Commons on the edge of the penalty area and slotting low past Antonio Reguero.

Five minutes later, captain Ledley calmly collected a square ball from Mikael Lustig and fired right-footed low into the bottom corner to give the home support confidence of a party.
Play media

Feature – Celtic boss Neil Lennon addresses fans

Celtic slipped into cruise-control and added a third when Commons swept down the left wing and slotted a ball across for Hooper to casually flick between his legs and over the line from six yards.

Samaras and Paddy McCourt both made late appearances as Celtic aimed to finish the match with a semblance of style, and the Greece international delivered a rousing finish with a fine solo effort.

Capitalising on a Tudur-Jones blunder, Samaras drifted unchallenged into the Caley Thistle penalty area and crashed a shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Doran hit a casual effort past Forster after good work from Richie Foran in injury time but Celtic's fans were already set to party.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +1:19 Goal scored

Goal – Aaron Doran – Celtic 4 – 1 Inverness Aaron Doran finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 4-1 Inverness CT.
90:00 +4:25 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +1:19

Assist on the goal came from Richie Foran.
90:00 +1:19 Goal scored

Goal – Ross Draper – Celtic 4 – 1 Inverness Goal scored by Ross Draper from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 4-1 Inverness CT.
90:00 +0:09

Shot by Joe Ledley from outside the box goes over the target.
87:50

Assist on the goal came from Emilio Izaguirre.
87:50 Goal scored

Goal – Georgios Samaras – Celtic 4 – 0 Inverness Goal scored by Georgios Samaras from deep inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 4-0 Inverness CT.
87:03

Patrick McCourt produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
83:36

Graeme Shinnie takes the free kick. Shot by Aaron Doran. Fraser Forster makes a comfortable save.
83:36 Substitution

Substitution Patrick McCourt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mikael Lustig.
83:36

Foul by Georgios Samaras on Owain Tudur Jones, free kick awarded.
81:16

Kelvin Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Richie Foran. Richie Foran restarts play with the free kick.
79:34

Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick. Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball.
79:34 Booking

Booking Daniel Devine shown a yellow card.
79:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Devine on Georgios Samaras.
78:20

Antonio Reguero restarts play with the free kick.
78:20 Booking

Booking Booking for Victor Wanyama for unsporting behaviour.
78:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Wanyama on Ross Draper.
76:39

The ball is delivered by Charlie Taylor, clearance made by Efe Ambrose. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Graeme Shinnie.
76:28

Richie Foran fouled by Kris Commons, the ref awards a free kick. Ross Draper restarts play with the free kick.
75:46

Kris Commons takes a shot. Blocked by Georgios Samaras.
74:05

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Owain Tudur Jones. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Graeme Shinnie from left wing, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
72:45

Assist by Kris Commons.
72:45 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 3 – 0 Inverness Gary Hooper grabs a brilliant goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 3-0 Inverness CT.
72:06

Short corner taken by Kris Commons.
71:03

Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross.
69:49

Victor Wanyama takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
69:37

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig, save by Antonio Reguero.
69:15

The ball is swung over by Joe Ledley, Josh Meekings makes a clearance.
67:22

Charlie Mulgrew has an effort direct from the free kick, Antonio Reguero makes a comfortable save.
67:22 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras comes on in place of Anthony Stokes.
67:22

Josh Meekings challenges Gary Hooper unfairly and gives away a free kick.
65:45

The assist for the goal came from Mikael Lustig.
65:45 Goal scored

Goal – Joe Ledley – Celtic 2 – 0 Inverness A goal is scored by Joe Ledley from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Inverness CT.
62:46

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Josh Meekings by Charlie Mulgrew. Graeme Shinnie has an effort direct from the free kick. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Graeme Shinnie from the right by-line, save by Fraser Forster.
62:11 Substitution

Substitution Charlie Taylor replaces Andrew Shinnie.
61:09

Foul by Gary Hooper on Graeme Shinnie, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Graeme Shinnie.
60:01

Kris Commons provided the assist for the goal.
60:01 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 1 – 0 Inverness Gary Hooper scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Inverness CT.
58:51

The referee blows for offside. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
58:03

Emilio Izaguirre crosses the ball.
56:03

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons, Efe Ambrose has a header from inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.
55:29

Ross Draper is ruled offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
54:14

Kris Commons takes a shot. Josh Meekings gets a block in. Effort on goal by Mikael Lustig from just inside the area clears the bar.
51:05

The ball is crossed by Mikael Lustig.
49:31

Josh Meekings takes the free kick.
49:31 Substitution

Substitution Gary Warren goes off and Daniel Devine comes on.
49:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Doran by Kelvin Wilson.
48:31

Ross Draper is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Kelvin Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
48:00

Shot from 25 yards by Kris Commons. Save made by Antonio Reguero.
47:39

The ball is crossed by Mikael Lustig, Graeme Shinnie makes a clearance.
46:45

Mikael Lustig challenges Ross Draper unfairly and gives away a free kick. Antonio Reguero restarts play with the free kick.
46:24

The ball is delivered by Mikael Lustig, Josh Meekings manages to make a clearance.
45:01

The referee starts the second half.
45:01 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest leaves the field to be replaced by Emilio Izaguirre.
45:00 +0:07 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.
43:50

Effort on goal by Anthony Stokes from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.
42:30

Unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Ross Draper results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
41:32

A cross is delivered by Mikael Lustig, clearance by Josh Meekings.
40:25

Charlie Mulgrew fouled by Ross Draper, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.
38:47

The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by David Raven.
36:41

The ball is swung over by David Raven, blocked by Charlie Mulgrew. Graeme Shinnie takes a inswinging corner.
35:05

Owain Tudur Jones fouled by Victor Wanyama, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Josh Meekings.
33:47

Ross Draper challenges Efe Ambrose unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
32:54

The offside flag is raised against Anthony Stokes. Free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
32:29

Centre by Charlie Mulgrew.
32:15

A cross is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Gary Warren.
31:13

James Forrest crosses the ball, David Raven manages to make a clearance.
28:25

Centre by David Raven.
26:13

Charlie Mulgrew challenges David Raven unfairly and gives away a free kick. Antonio Reguero takes the direct free kick.
24:58

Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball, clearance by Graeme Shinnie.
24:01

Charlie Mulgrew takes the outswinging corner, Owain Tudur Jones makes a clearance.
23:12

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save by Antonio Reguero. Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Ross Draper.
21:41

The ball is sent over by James Forrest, save by Antonio Reguero.
21:03

The ball is delivered by Owain Tudur Jones, clearance made by Mikael Lustig.
19:39

Short corner taken by Kris Commons. Effort from outside the area by James Forrest goes wide right of the goal.
19:03

The assistant referee signals for offside against Ross Draper. Kelvin Wilson takes the indirect free kick.
17:22

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Aaron Doran, Fraser Forster makes a save.
16:45

Unfair challenge on Ross Draper by Charlie Mulgrew results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Josh Meekings, clearance by Mikael Lustig.
16:25

Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Antonio Reguero.
16:03

Centre by James Forrest, Gary Warren makes a clearance.
14:01

Mikael Lustig produces a cross. Header from deep inside the area by Victor Wanyama goes over the bar.
12:24

Outswinging corner taken by Kris Commons from the left by-line, Anthony Stokes has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.
8:37

Kris Commons sends in a cross. Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Ross Draper results in a free kick. Kris Commons crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Josh Meekings manages to make a clearance. Anthony Stokes is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Antonio Reguero.
7:40

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Aaron Doran. Josh Meekings takes the free kick.
6:22

Graeme Shinnie takes the inswinging corner, Kelvin Wilson makes a clearance.
5:04

Unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Andrew Shinnie results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
2:55

The ball is crossed by Anthony Stokes, Josh Meekings makes a clearance.
1:04

James Forrest delivers the ball, save made by Antonio Reguero.
0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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