2015-04-11: Inverness CT 1-1 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• Crazy kick off time. Inverness away at 1245.
• ICT goalkeeper Dean Brill had suffered a dislocated knee in the 1-1 draw with Celtic. We wish him a speedy recovery.
• Former Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon has revealed he tried to sign ex-Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty. (phew!)
• Celtic to honour legend Billy McNeill with statue on Celtic Way. Joins others legends like Jinky, Stein and Walfrid.
• Br Walfrid anniversary of his birth in coming days, 150th. Founding father of the club. Food bank collection being arranged in his memory.
• As a measure of the gulf between football fans in general and the players, Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling has made public that he is rebuffing his current club's £100k per week as looking to move to a bigger club for trophies (i.e. Money money money). Liverpool finished second a season ago and have big ambitions, he wants a mega club and easy money with no challenge. Kick in the teeth for his club.
• Grand National horse race today. Also, today BBC spent £5million covering Oxford Cambridge boat race, they give EPL £225mil a season. SFA receive £1million. Pathetic.

Review

(BBC)
Deila felt his side's performance level dipped following a run of five straight wins "We couldn't be quick enough on the ball so we didn't create the chances we wanted," he explained.
"In the end, we got a point and that's better than nothing. We look at our performance and that was a step down if you compare to what we had done lately.
"We looked a little bit tired today.
"We're going to have a tough semi-final but we know that we have a good chance."

(Bawman of KDS)
on't think today told you anything about this Celtic team at all. Far from it.

I think the last 10 or 15 games tell you far more about who we are and what we are about. Didn't play well, struggled with the conditions (both teams did) and still looked the far likelier of the two to score.
For all that John Hughes has solidified that team, they booted everything in a Celtic jersey with Armstrong in particular getting kicked, tripped, pushed and nudged at every opportunity. We have them marked outside of their wee windy shoebox and I fully expect that we molligate them next time out. Take the point and no serious injuries, we have a lot on our plate and need everyone for the run in.

(columbo of KDS)
Never easy against ictfc . Pitch looked ok on the telly but the ball was bobbling everywhere and that along with the wind meant a poor game was almost inevitable. .
On the whole I think ictfc have been a good addition to the scottish leagues but their unfinished stadium is utterly rubbish and the atmosphere there is woeful. I'm sure that if they had the money they would finish the stadium but their rubbish attendances means they're never going to have the money… Even if they did finish the stadium, they don't have the fans to use it…
Maybe old style terraces would be more affordable…
It's scotland, we play football when the weather is at its worst, etc etc etc ….
Pitches should have to reach a specific standard not merely " yeah it's playable" and if the pitch is not good enough the game should still be played as fans have travelled etc etc but t the home club should be fined 25% of the gate receipts….
Summer football or synthetic pitches are the way forward….

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Stats

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Celtic
Possession
59% 41%
90mins

Shots
4 9

On target
1 5

Corners
3 9

Fouls
18 18

Articles

Inverness 1-1 Celtic: Brill injury agony for Caley
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/inverness-1-1-celtic-brill-injury-agony-for-caley-1-3743034

ANDREW SMITH AT CALEDONIAN STADIUM
23:54Saturday 11 April 2015

THE post-match thoughts of John Hughes told their own story about what had gone before at the Caledonian Stadium yesterday. The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager, unprompted, quickly broke off from talking about yesterday’s draw to assess the potential impact the confrontation would have on the Scottish Cup semi-final between the two teams. He then broke off from that topic to agonise over the awful fate that befell his goalkeeper.

Scorers: Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Ofere 5; Celtic – Griffiths 3

Dean Brill will be one of the few to have a strong recollection of an occasion that ended a run of five clean-sheet domestic wins for Premiership leaders Celtic and extended the sequence without a win for their opponents to seven games. How the English goalkeeper will wish, as was the case for so many others, the day was one to forget.

The teams exchanged goals within 109 seconds in the early minutes when, with only a quarter of an hour played, the match had to be stopped for five minutes for Brill to receive medical attention after a collision with the blameless Gary Mackay-Steven. It caused the 29-year-old to dislocate his knee for the second time this year – yesterday was his first game back since he had to be carried from the field during the mid-January win over Hamilton.

Hughes confirmed that Brill will miss the rest of the season, at least, and the ’keeper’s efforts to regain his place in time for his club’s huge Hampden date counted for nothing. “It’s a real dampener for us. I’ve seen how hard he’s been working in his rehab,” said Hughes.

“The doc has put it back in, but that’ll be him until the end of the season and that’s really unfortunate. When it comes to a dislocated knee, I worked with Graham Barrett at Falkirk and his never got realigned properly and eventually finished him, so we have to make sure he’s in good hands. He’s a grafter though and he’ll want to be back. He was working so hard in training this week, so I feel for him.”

Hughes could content himself both with his team’s graft, and their refusal to buckle when Leigh Griffiths put the visitors ahead after only three minutes. One of the few moments that could be set apart from humdrum proceedings, the striker was lethal with a low angled drive after a clever diagonal ball into the wind from Scott Brown allowed him to go one-on-one with Gary Warren at the edge of the box. Griffths’s clinical effort may have skiffed off the leg of the Inverness defender on its way to nestling in the far corner, but that did not take away from the effort.

The Inverness response may have been untidier, but that was of no concern to a home team who thereafter largely contained a below-par Celtic. Their equaliser owed much to the visitors’ defence allowing themselves to get in a fankle after Ryan Christie had contacted with a cross swept in by David Raven and forced Jason Deyaner to block on the goal-line. The respite proved brief for Ronny Deila’s side with Edward Ofere on hand to turn in the rebound.

There was much huffing and puffing from Celtic as a gale blew around the exposed stadium. In the end – after a controversial moment on the hour when Scott Brown was yellow-carded for simulation in the penalty box by referee Craig Thomson – neither side seemed too perturbed about not showing their hand nor suffering any psychological damage ahead of the semi-final. With Celtic’s lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership nudging up to eight points, there was no feeling the result could alter the course of the title, never mind the destination of the Scottish Cup. Hughes certainly was in little doubt about the latter.

“We were disappointed to lose a goal so early, even if it was a great strike from Griffiths,” the Inverness manager said. “We showed spirit to come back and score early though, and that settled us. We were a match for Celtic in the first half, but the second half they were the better team and we sat too deep and camped in. We couldn’t keep the ball.

“The shape and organisation was there but on another day and a slicker pitch, you can’t sit that deep. Will it have a bearing on next week? I very much doubt it. I don’t think that’ll be the team next week. I was working on another way to try and play against Celtic and we’ve earned the right to have a right good go at them in a semi-final. If they’re off it and we’re at it, there could be an upset. We have nothing to lose, all the pressure’s on them, they’re going for the treble so we’ll go and give it a right go.”

ICT: Brill (Esson 20); Warren, Meekings, Shinnie; Watkins, Raven, Tansey, Draper, Williams (Vincent 85); Christie (Doran 85), Ofere. Subs not used: Ross, Devin Tremarco, Kink.

Celtic: Gordon; Ambrose (Matthew 62), Denayer, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Armstrong, Johansen, Mackay-Steven (Commons 62), Johansen; Griffiths (Guidetti 78). Subs not used: Zaluska, Matthews, Stokes, McGregor, Tierney.

Referee: C Thomson. Attendance: 6,059.

F

BBC
By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland

Ofere cancels out Griffiths opener for Celtic
Inverness keeper Brill stretchered off
Replacement Esson's saves secure Caley point

Inverness Caledonian Thistle dug deep to claim a point against Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.

Edward Ofere's shot from close range quickly cancelled out Leigh Griffiths' low-struck opener for Celtic before the hosts suffered an injury blow.

Goalkeeper Dean Brill was stretchered off after dislocating a knee.

His replacement Ryan Esson denied Efe Ambrose and Jason Denayer, while David Raven and Greg Tansey threatened for the hosts.

Ronny Deila's side, due to face Inverness again in next Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final, move eight points clear of Aberdeen, who visit Kilmarnock on Sunday. The gap between the Dons and Caley is reduced to 10 points.
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Inverness goalkeeper Dean Brill is set to miss the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic after dislocating his knee in the 1-1 draw with the same opponents.

The windy conditions aided Celtic's opening goal as Scott Brown's long ball held up for Griffiths to take down, set himself and shoot precisely across Brill into the bottom right-hand corner.

However, Inverness were level almost immediately as Celtic struggled to deal with Graeme Shinnie's cross from the left in the blustery conditions.

Marley Watkins set up Raven for a shot that was touched on by Ryan Christie and, although Denayer cleared off the line, Ofere was well placed to bury the rebound.

Brill was making his first appearance since injuring a knee in January but his return was cut short when he pulled up in pain, clutching his left leg after making a clearance under pressure from Gary Mackay-Steven.

The goalkeeper, who was given oxygen on the pitch, was stretchered off and an ambulance was called for as Esson came on from the bench.

And the replacement made an important save before the break, tipping over Ambrose's header from Stefan Johansen's free-kick.
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Celtic captain Scott Brown is yellow carded after referee Craig Thomson accuses him of diving against Inverness CT.

The substitute frustrated the visitors again in the second half, beating away Denayer's header following a Stuart Armstrong set piece from deep.

The flow of the game was often interrupted by scrappy fouls and bookings and Brown was yellow-carded for simulation after hitting the deck when closed down by Raven in the Inverness box.

Caley sought to interrupt the procession towards their own goal when they won a rare corner and Raven fired over from the edge of the box from Christie's delivery.

Watkins then set up Greg Tansey for a shot that was deflected over.

Armstrong fired into the arms of Esson in stoppage time as Celtic were denied a sixth straight win.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Inverness CT 1, Celtic 1.
90:00 +2:25 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Inverness CT 1, Celtic 1.
90:00 +0:50

Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
89:47

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
89:47

Adam Matthews (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:02

Foul by Edward Ofere (Inverness CT).
88:02

Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86:57

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
85:53

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
85:53

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
85:33

Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85:33

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
85:05 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. Aaron Doran replaces Ryan Christie.
84:53 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. James Vincent replaces Danny Williams.
84:32

Foul by Edward Ofere (Inverness CT).
84:32

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81:47

Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Nir Bitton.
81:42

Attempt blocked. Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
80:56

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
78:45

Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
78:45

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
77:18 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. John Guidetti replaces Leigh Griffiths.
75:59

Attempt missed. David Raven (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
75:23

Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Jason Denayer.
72:22

Foul by Ryan Christie (Inverness CT).
72:22

Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
69:47

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gary Warren.
69:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josh Meekings.
68:13

Foul by Ross Draper (Inverness CT).
68:13

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:58 Booking

Booking Scott Brown (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
66:51

Scott Brown (Celtic) has gone down, but that's a dive.
64:17

Marley Watkins (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the left wing.
64:17

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
61:48 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Adam Matthews replaces Efe Ambrose.
61:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
60:34

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
60:34

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
59:31

Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
59:31

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
58:55

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josh Meekings.
56:05

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Esson.
55:12

Foul by Ross Draper (Inverness CT).
55:12

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
53:30

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
53:30

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
52:09

Attempt missed. Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) header from very close range is close, but misses to the left.
51:32

Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
50:35

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the left wing.
50:35

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
50:09

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Greg Tansey.
49:18

Foul by Edward Ofere (Inverness CT).
49:18

Jason Denayer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
46:54 Booking

Booking Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
46:49

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46:49

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
45:50

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
45:50

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:14

Marley Watkins (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:14

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
45:00

Second Half begins Inverness CT 1, Celtic 1.
45:00 +4:33 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Inverness CT 1, Celtic 1.
45:00 +3:36

Foul by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT).
45:00 +3:36

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +1:17 Booking

Booking Marley Watkins (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
45:00 +1:13

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
45:00 +1:13

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
44:32

Danny Williams (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the right wing.
44:32

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
41:25

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.
40:15

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Christie.
39:43

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Esson.
39:31

Attempt saved. Efe Ambrose (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
38:47 Booking

Booking Ross Draper (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
38:42

Foul by Ross Draper (Inverness CT).
38:42

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:49

Foul by Marley Watkins (Inverness CT).
37:49

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:17

Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
36:17

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
32:49

Marley Watkins (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
32:49

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
32:00

Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the left wing.
31:59

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
31:03 Booking

Booking Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
31:00

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
30:59

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
30:46

Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
30:46

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic).
29:45

Attempt saved. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
28:16 Booking

Booking Edward Ofere (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
28:07

Foul by Edward Ofere (Inverness CT).
28:07

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
25:03

Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:03

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
24:07

Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
24:07

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
22:05

Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
21:13 Booking

Booking Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
19:16 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. Ryan Esson replaces Dean Brill because of an injury.
11:22

Foul by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).
11:22

Jason Denayer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
9:49

Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
9:49

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
7:05

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Raven.
6:30

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josh Meekings.
6:04

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
6:04

Foul by Ross Draper (Inverness CT).
5:34

Foul by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).
5:34

Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
4:50

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
4:00 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Inverness CT 1, Celtic 1. Edward Ofere (Inverness CT) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.
2:14 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Inverness CT 0, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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