2013-05-05: Ross County 1-1 Celtic, SPL

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

Trivia

• Celtic are already league winners but surely can do better than this performance. Wrongly disallowed goal by Watt is poor argument should do better.
• Now six away games not won a game, worst since 1994/95 season.
• On same day fan collapses at Kilmarnock game and has to be given pitch side assistance. Match is abandoned and sadly the fan later died. RIP.
• Celtic U20s win their respective youth cup final 2-1 v Dunfermline u17s.
• Celtic U17s lose their respective cup final 3-2 to Sevco u17s.
• Samaras awarded Celtic's player of the year award, Watt for the young player of the year award.
• Stories rising of that Hearts to enter administration.
• One paper claims that loan signing Rami Gershon been told he will not be kept on and has been told so. However, he then starts this match! Take from it what you will.
• Lennon fined £5000 for swearing whilst Rangers chief exec fined £2500 for crude patronising usage of racist term. Unbelievable!
• Benfica (third in Celtic’s champions league group make final of the Uefa cup), Barcelona who topped the group knocked out of European Cup 7-0 in aggregate in the semi finals v Bayern Munich.

Review

(ujio of KDS)
The game was terrible today and on the back of the Motherwell result last week it feels even worse, but the truth is the league is already won, the players are winding down for the summer and the challenge from other teams in the absence of Rangers was never going to push us like we need to be pushed. The league being won however is no good reason for the terrible football we are currently being forced to endure and the poor results that have cropped up all season domestically.

The players winding down is not good to see either because although the league is over, the season is not. We still have a Scottish Cup to win and I think it is quite unprofessional to approach the games as we are now and then expect the players to lift themselves for the Cup Final.

Especially in light of some recent Hampden results and performances. The only good thing about the lack of competition domestically is that young or new players will have a year of experience under their belt for next season and have cantered the league, so they are getting a feeling of being part of success and that is important for players who join Celtic.

Overall though, in all honesty, even the most laid back of supporters must be slightly worried that this year of experience is teaching some bad habits. Taking games lightly, mixed up positions, formations and team line-ups, switching off before the end of the season. All of these things are negatives and I think the recent performances highlight more negatives than positives. There is an air of un-professionalism lurking, in my opinion, that will stand us in bad stead for the upcoming Champions League qualifying campaign and maybe even the Cup Final. The players have performed well in Europe this season but some key elements around preparation for games looks to be missing to me, as does a wider plan about how the team will line up and approach games.

We certainly are lacking a style to our football right now. You can't put your finger on how this team will play on any given week and that will make the Cup Final uncomfortable in my opinion. There are lots of positives about the season but our approach to games right now is not how I want to see Celtic close out a football season.

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Stats

Ross County v Celtic
Possession
44% 56%
90mins

Shots
12 8

On target
7 6

Corners
4 7

Fouls
10 9

Articles

Ross County 1-1 Celtic: Stokes and Vigurs score in Dingwall draw

STV 5 May 2013 14:11 BST

A brilliant finish from Iain Vigurs ensured Ross County took points off Celtic for the third time this season but the hosts were also helped by a controversial offside decision.

Vigurs found the top corner from 20 yards following a set-piece four minutes before half-time to cancel out Anthony Stokes' early opener.

But Celtic should have gone into the break with a deserved lead after Tony Watt was denied a goal by a dubious offside decision.

County recovered from two down to beat Celtic 3-2 in their previous meeting and they again improved as the game progressed but could not get the winner they were pushing for to boost their hopes of a European place.

The draw means they are now four points adrift of third-placed Inverness in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Caley Thistle will put County out of the running for a Europa League spot before the final-day Highland derby if they beat Dundee United at home on Saturday.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon again made a number of changes after resting players for last weekend's 3-1 defeat by Motherwell with the title already won.

Efe Ambrose, Kelvin Wilson, Kris Commons and Joe Ledley returned following their holiday while Rami Gershon was handed a rare start and Lukasz Zaluska and Dylan McGeouch also came in.

Fraser Forster was rested and Georgios Samaras, Gary Hooper, Charlie Mulgrew were given this week off by Lennon while Victor Wanyama was also absent.

There was something of a false start to the game when the ball failed to re-emerge from the away fans after Celtic's first attack but the visiting team were in no mood to waste time and Stokes opened the scoring with just over three minutes on the clock.

County failed to deal with Kris Commons' inswinging corner as it bounced inside the six-yard box and the Irishman had time to chest the ball down before turning and firing into the net.

Celtic were causing County problems down the wide areas with their 4-3-3 formation with centre-forward Stokes peeling off to good effect and Michael Fraser had to be alert to push away Watt's ball across the face of goal.

The hosts were unable to string together a meaningful attacking move until midway through the half when Martin Scott got a shot on target but Zaluska got down to hold.

The Pole made a better save two minutes later when he dived to push away a Vigurs free-kick that was destined for the top corner.

Celtic were soon back on the attack and Stokes' clever ball across the six-yard box deserved a more alert response from Watt.

The visitors were comfortable but they were caught out in the 41st minute because of some slack marking and a wonderful finish from Vigurs.

Vigurs was left all alone as Richard Brittain lined up a free-kick after Ambrose had fouled Ivan Sproule just outside the left edge of the penalty area and the talented midfielder side-footed the ball into the top corner from 20 yards.

Celtic should have been back in front when Watt netted with the last kick of the half but assistant referee Dougie Potter flagged for an offside decision.

Watt appeared to be played onside by Hainault before he diverted home McGeouch's driven pass after Ambrose, playing in midfield, had launched an attack.

Celtic had the first chances of the second half. Fraser pushed a 25-yard drive from Stokes wide and Brittain stretched to clear Ambrose's header off the line following a Commons corner.

But Ross County were enjoying a better share of the play in the second half with the wind at their backs and Steffen Wohlfarth headed just past the top corner from Sproule's cross before failing to connect with an inviting centre from Evangelos Oikonomou six yards out.

Some slack defending from Gershon twice almost allowed Sproule to punish the visitors and Paul Lawson twice came close from long range.

Celtic had lost their spark after Commons went off for Tomas Rogic and they brought on Paddy McCourt with seven minutes left but could not create a late chance.

BBC
By Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland

SPL champions Celtic were held to a draw by European qualification-chasing Ross County at Victoria Park.

Four minutes in, Anthony Stokes put Celtic ahead, turning in a close-range effort from a Kris Commons corner.

Iain Vigurs levelled matters four minutes from the break, latching onto a Richard Brittain free-kick and firing his shot into the top-right corner.

County pressed forward, but efforts from Steffen Wohlfarth and Paul Lawson failed to produce a winner.

Neil Lennon made seven changes to his Celtic side, handing a rare start for Rami Gershon, while Lukasz Zaluska and Dylan McGeouch also came in.

County made one change as Martin Scott replaced Rocco Quinn in midfield.

The result leaves County four points behind the European qualification slot – currently occupied by their Highland rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle – with only two matches remaining.
Play media

Their day started poorly when Commons flighted in a corner and Stokes pivoted on the six-yard line to turn the ball into the back of the net for the opener.

Responding, Martin Scott picked up a through ball from Ivan Sproule inside the Celtic penalty area, but his bobbling drive towards goal failed to test Zaluska.

Mmoments later, though, Vigurs curved in a left-footed free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that forced the Polish keeper to save at full stretch.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Stokes flicked an intelligent ball across the County six-yard line, but there were no hooped jerseys waiting to pounce.

With four minutes remaining of the first-half County were back on level terms. Richard Brittain played a casual free-kick from the left side of the Celtic penalty area for Vigurs to thunder home.

On the stroke of half-time, Tony Watt had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors, but referee Stevie Mclean had already blown for offside.
Play media

After the restart, Vigurs came close with a long-range shot that inched over the Celtic bar, then Stokes tested Michael Fraser in the County goal with a low drive that was tipped behind for a corner.

As the hour approached Efe Ambrose nodded down a Commons corner and the Celtic fans were on their feet when Brittain cleared off the line. Replays indicated that that the officials had made the right decision not to award a goal.

County's best chance of the match arrived in the 64th minute when Wohlfarth headed for goal from a Sproule cross, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

And Lawson should have done better with a direct effort on goal that Zaluska made sure drifted over the Celtic bar as the match entered the final 10 minutes.

A poor free-kick from Brittain rebounded off the three-man Celtic wall, then Lawson produced a well-struck drive that Zaluska comfortably smothered.

A few late substitutions apiece failed to ignite the match in the dying minutes and County could not mount a repeat of the kind of last-gasp challenge that earned them a shock late home win against Celtic in March.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:08 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00 +1:49

Paul Lawson fouled by Emilio Izaguirre, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.
88:58 Substitution

Substitution Beram Kayal is brought on as a substitute for Efe Ambrose.
88:21

Paul Lawson has a drilled shot. Save by Lukasz Zaluska.
86:47 Substitution

Substitution Ivan Sproule leaves the field to be replaced by Mark Fotheringham.
86:47 Substitution

Substitution Mihael Kovacevic goes off and Scott Boyd comes on.
85:56

Kelvin Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Martin Scott. Richard Brittain fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, blocked by Tony Watt.
84:15

Tony Watt fouled by Andre Hainault, the ref awards a free kick. Rami Gershon takes the direct free kick.
82:58 Substitution

Substitution Dylan McGeouch leaves the field to be replaced by Patrick McCourt.
81:53

Paul Lawson takes a shot from a long way out clearing the crossbar.
81:11

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Iain Vigurs.
80:49

Tony Watt is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.
80:13

Martin Scott challenges Tom Rogic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Joe Ledley takes the direct free kick.
76:47

Inswinging corner taken by Iain Vigurs from the right by-line.
75:22

The official flags Tony Watt offside. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.
70:29

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Dylan McGeouch from the left by-line.
70:01

Martin Scott takes a shot and missed to the right of the goal.
69:17

Unfair challenge on Iain Vigurs by Dylan McGeouch results in a free kick. Iain Vigurs restarts play with the free kick.
68:16 Substitution

Substitution Tom Rogic comes on in place of Kris Commons.
64:22

Andre Hainault concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Stokes. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
63:43

Free kick awarded for a foul by Efe Ambrose on Richard Brittain. Free kick taken by Iain Vigurs.
62:53

Steffen Wohlfarth produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand post.
58:40

Tony Watt takes a shot. Comfortable save by Michael Fraser.
57:47

Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Efe Ambrose takes a shot. Richard Brittain makes a clearance.
57:27

Kris Commons decides to take a short corner.
56:00

The assistant referee signals for offside against Ivan Sproule. Indirect free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
52:45

Anthony Stokes takes a shot from 20 yards. Michael Fraser makes a save. Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, Grant Munro manages to make a clearance.
50:33

Corner taken by Dylan McGeouch, Martin Scott makes a clearance.
50:11

Unfair challenge on Kris Commons by Paul Lawson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
49:20

The referee blows for offside. Lukasz Zaluska takes the indirect free kick.
48:32

Iain Vigurs produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.
47:33

The official flags Joe Ledley offside. Free kick taken by Michael Fraser.
46:21

Foul by Steffen Wohlfarth on Kelvin Wilson, free kick awarded. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:00 +0:40 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.
45:00 +0:10

Anthony Stokes is caught offside. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.
43:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steffen Wohlfarth on Lukasz Zaluska. Lukasz Zaluska takes the direct free kick.
42:37

Iain Vigurs produces a drilled left-footed shot from 12 yards. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson. Paul Lawson takes a inswinging corner.
40:19

Richard Brittain provided the assist for the goal.
40:19 Goal scored

Goal – Iain Vigurs – Ross Co 1 – 1 Celtic Iain Vigurs finds the back of the net with a goal from outside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Ross County 1-1 Celtic.
39:38

Unfair challenge on Ivan Sproule by Efe Ambrose results in a free kick. Richard Brittain takes the direct free kick.
37:49

Rami Gershon fouled by Martin Scott, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
36:16

Anthony Stokes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andre Hainault. Michael Fraser takes the direct free kick.
35:11

Kris Commons takes a shot. Blocked by Grant Munro.
33:56

Steffen Wohlfarth concedes a free kick for a foul on Dylan McGeouch. Free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
32:33

Inswinging corner taken by Paul Lawson, clearance by Anthony Stokes. Effort on goal by Richard Brittain from 35 yards went over the bar.
31:06

Anthony Stokes gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Martin Scott. Andre Hainault restarts play with the free kick.
24:59

Steffen Wohlfarth is caught offside. Free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
24:04

Emilio Izaguirre concedes a free kick for a foul on Mihael Kovacevic. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Iain Vigurs, save by Lukasz Zaluska.
23:00

Martin Scott takes a shot. Save made by Lukasz Zaluska.
19:23

Tony Watt takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser.
19:23

Tony Watt takes a shot. Michael Fraser makes a save.
18:05

Dylan McGeouch has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.
16:48

Ivan Sproule takes a shot. Blocked by Rami Gershon.
12:54

The assistant referee flags for offside against Anthony Stokes. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.
11:09

Kris Commons fouled by Iain Vigurs, the ref awards a free kick. Kris Commons restarts play with the free kick.
9:00

Corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the left by-line, clearance by Evangelos Ikonomou. Unfair challenge on Anthony Stokes by Andre Hainault results in a free kick. Anthony Stokes produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Steffen Wohlfarth gets a block in.
8:29

Martin Scott is caught offside. Lukasz Zaluska restarts play with the free kick.
4:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rami Gershon on Steffen Wohlfarth. Free kick taken by Richard Brittain.
3:19

Assist by Kris Commons.
3:19 Goal scored

Goal – Anthony Stokes – Ross Co 0 – 1 Celtic A goal is scored by Anthony Stokes from close in to the top left corner of the goal. Ross County 0-1 Celtic.
2:55

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons,
0:44

Anthony Stokes is caught offside. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.
0:00

The game gets underway.

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