2015-05-24: Celtic 5-0 Inverness CT, SP

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

Trivia

• Final league game of the season, and final competitive match for Celtic.
• Celtic have won the double of 1) League and 2) League Cup.
• Celtic finally handed the league trophy. Celebrations galore.
• Ronnie Deila: "We have a foundation to work on. You can see on the pitch now that everyone knows their task and we have a good togetherness."
• Great start for Deila, despite some disappointments including the disastrous European Cup campaign and the disappointing KO from the Scottish Cup.
• Trophies delivered onto pitch by Ronny Deila's twin daughters.
• Trophy presented by ex-Celt Harald Brattback.
• Only 17 goals conceded in the league, so quite a record, and a Scottish record low of some sorts.
• Lots of plaudits for Scott Brown as many acknowledging his value to the first team this season, and throughout his time at the club.
• Congratulations to Craig Gordon on being named Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year.
• Celtic development side win SFA Youth Cup with 5-2 win in the final v Sevco. Great result, congrats. Scott Brown on sidelines coaching the youth.
• Memorial held for Peter Johnstone, ex-Celt who died in WW1 as a soldier. A monument/statue revealed in his memory.
• TheRangers defeat Hibs 2-1 agg to proceed to face Motherwell for playoff for place in the top tier next season.
• Summer transfer window:
• Lots of transfer activity to happen with a lot of deadwood expected to be cut (e.g. Boerrigter, Wakaso, Tonev etc).
• Rumours:
• Celtic supposedly after Mehnsa.
• Stokes to go to US or to Leeds Utd.
• Celtic after Ayana for £4m.
• Sunderland after Bitton for £5m.
• Guidetti sends a twitter which as clear as day that he won't be staying at Celtic.
• Pukki to be bought by Brondby but they want lower price etc.
• Next focus for players will be their national sides, critical game for Scotland against Ireland away coming up. All so close in their group. Griffiths and Mulgrew newly called up, but no place for Mackay-Stevens and Armstrong.
• Incredibly Sevco owner David King has been deemed fit and proper for ownership of a club by th SFA even though he has had 41 tax evasion charges against him by the S African courts.

Review

(StevieBhoy 75 of KDS)
Great performance Some great individual bits of skill today Izzy skinning past the two defenders and Biton dancing past there midfield Brilliant :worthy:
Pity Scepovic left it until last game of season, but played well today

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• Winner –

Stats

Celtic Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Possession
33% 67%
90mins

Shots
9 3

On target
5 0

Corners
5 0

Fouls
12 8

Articles

Celtic 5-0 Inverness CT: Hoops begin title party with emphatic win

STV
24 May 2015 15:05 BST

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/1321494-celtic-5-0-inverness-ct-hoops-begin-title-party-with-emphatic-win/

Celtic, Premiership title
Celebration: Celtic were handed the Premiership trophy after the win over Inverness.SNS Group

Celtic began their Scottish Premiership title-winning party after a Stefan Scepovic double helped them to an easy 5-0 win over a weakened Inverness side at Parkhead.

The Serbian striker, handed a rare start for the Hoops, opened the scoring from inches out in the fifth minute before returning midfielder Stefan Johansen added the second before the break.

Caley, without half a dozen regulars rested for next week's William Hill Scottish Cup final against Falkirk, chased shadows most of the afternoon and lost further goals to Scepovic, his replacement, Leigh Griffiths, and substitute Kris Commons as Ronny Deila's side confirmed their status as champions.

While the Hoops fans celebrated their fourth successive title win and waited for the trophy presentation, John Hughes's side sloped up the tunnel to prepare for next week's showpiece occasion against Falkirk at Hampden well beaten but with perhaps not too much damage done to their cup hopes.

Both sides made six changes, for differing reasons.

Scepovic was a surprise inclusion, with regular starters Craig Gordon, Virgil van Dijk, Emilio Izaguirre, Nir Bitton and Johansen also restored to the side.

Caley Thistle boss John Hughes also made six changes, with Nick Ross, Lewis Horner, Carl Tremarco, Danny Williams, Liam Polworth and Tarmo Kink starting.

Regulars Josh Meekings, Graeme Shinnie, Ross Draper, Edward Ofere, Greg Tansey and David Raven were nowhere to be seen as Hughes named just five substitutes.

The Highlanders had thwarted Celtic's treble hopes with a 3-2 extra-time win in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

However, the prospects of being title party poopers ended when Johansen's free-kick to the back post was headed back across goal by Van Dijk, leaving Bitton and Scepovic getting in each other's way almost before the latter appeared to get the last touch for his fifth goal of the season.

From then, Celtic barely let up.

Tremarco headed off the line moments later after Inverness defender Gary Warren, suspended for next week's final, had inadvertently knocked an Izaguirre cross towards his own goal.

Inverness keeper Ryan Esson then saved from Scepovic's drive but the siege was relentless, paying off for the second time when Izaguirre got into the box past Warren before cutting the ball back for Johansen to sweep the ball past Esson from 12 yards.

The champions were well in control and had a good claim for a penalty in the 33rd minute when Van Dijk's goal-bound header from a Bitton cross was deflected past the post for a corner by Danny Williams's hand, but referee Kevin Clancy took no notice.

The Hoops fans, though, noted it was a similar incident that had cost them dearly in the cup semi-final when, with the Hoops winning 1-0, Meekings blocked a certain Griffiths goal with his arm to no punishment.

In the 53rd minute, as Celtic continued their dominance after the break albeit with less tenacity, midfielder Stuart Armstrong flashed a shot over the bar from 14 yards, following another Forrest cut-back.

In the 70th minute after Celtic made a double switch – Commons and Charlie Mulgrew on for Armstrong and Adam Matthews – Scepovic added a third after Johansen and Forrest combined to leave him with a simple tap-in.

Esson was replaced by Cameron Mackay in the Inverness goal before Scepovic made way for Griffiths, who drove in a fourth with 10 minutes remaining as the Hoops fans warmed up for the post-match celebrations, which were in full swing when Commons made it 5-0 in the last minute with a shot from outside the box.

Celtic 5 Inverness 0: Five-star Hoops outclass ICT

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/celtic-5-inverness-0-five-star-hoops-outclass-ict-1-3781939

15:18Sunday 24 May 2015

CELTIC began their Scottish Premiership title-winning party after a Stefan Scepovic double helped them to an easy 5-0 win over a weakened Inverness side at Parkhead.

The Serbian striker, handed a rare start for the Hoops, opened the scoring from inches out in the fifth minute before returning midfielder Stefan Johansen added the second before the break.
Celtic fans celebrate the title win. Picture: SNS
Celtic fans celebrate the title win. Picture: SNS

Caley, without half a dozen regulars rested for next week’s William Hill Scottish Cup final against Falkirk, chased shadows most of the afternoon and lost further goals to Scepovic, his replacement, Leigh Griffiths, and substitute Kris Commons as Ronny Deila’s side confirmed their status as champions.

While the Hoops fans celebrated their fourth successive title win and waited for the trophy presentation, John Hughes’s side sloped up the tunnel to prepare for next week’s showpiece occasion against Falkirk at Hampden well beaten but with perhaps not too much damage done to their cup hopes.

Both sides made six changes, for differing reasons.

Scepovic was a surprise inclusion, with regular starters Craig Gordon, Virgil van Dijk, Emilio Izaguirre, Nir Bitton and Johansen also restored to the side.
Champions: Celtic celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership 2014/15 trophy. Picture: SNS
Champions: Celtic celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership 2014/15 trophy. Picture: SNS

Caley Thistle boss John Hughes also made six changes, with Nick Ross, Lewis Horner, Carl Tremarco, Danny Williams, Liam Polworth and Tarmo Kink starting.

Regulars Josh Meekings, Graeme Shinnie, Ross Draper, Edward Ofere, Greg Tansey and David Raven were nowhere to be seen as Hughes named just five substitutes.

The Highlanders had thwarted Celtic’s treble hopes with a 3-2 extra-time win in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

However, the prospects of being title party poopers ended when Johansen’s free-kick to the back post was headed back across goal by Van Dijk, leaving Bitton and Scepovic getting in each other’s way almost before the latter appeared to get the last touch for his fifth goal of the season.

From then, Celtic barely let up.

Tremarco headed off the line moments later after Inverness defender Gary Warren, suspended for next week’s final, had inadvertently knocked an Izaguirre cross towards his own goal.

Inverness keeper Ryan Esson then saved from Scepovic’s drive but the siege was relentless, paying off for the second time when Izaguirre got into the box past Warren before cutting the ball back for Johansen to sweep the ball past Esson from 12 yards.

The champions were well in control and had a good claim for a penalty in the 33rd minute when Van Dijk’s goal-bound header from a Bitton cross was deflected past the post for a corner by Danny Williams’s hand, but referee Kevin Clancy took no notice.

The Hoops fans, though, noted it was a similar incident that had cost them dearly in the cup semi-final when, with the Hoops winning 1-0, Meekings blocked a certain Griffiths goal with his arm to no punishment.

In the 53rd minute, as Celtic continued their dominance after the break albeit with less tenacity, midfielder Stuart Armstrong flashed a shot over the bar from 14 yards, following another Forrest cut-back.

In the 70th minute after Celtic made a double switch – Commons and Charlie Mulgrew on for Armstrong and Adam Matthews – Scepovic added a third after Johansen and Forrest combined to leave him with a simple tap-in.

Esson was replaced by Cameron Mackay in the Inverness goal before Scepovic made way for Griffiths, who drove in a fourth with 10 minutes remaining as the Hoops fans warmed up for the post-match celebrations, which were in full swing when Commons made it 5-0 in the last minute with a shot from outside the box.

Celtic: Gordon; Matthews (Mulgrew 68), Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Bitton, Brown, Armstrong (Commons 68), Johansen, Forrest, Scepovic (Girffiths 77). Subs not used: Zaluska, Stokes, Ambrose, Mackay-Steven. Booked: Izaguirre, Johansen. Goals: Scepovic 5’, 70’; Johansen 18’; Grififths 80’; Commons 90’.

ICT: Esson (Mackay 73), Horner, Warren, Vincent, Tremarco, Ross, Devine, Williams, Polworth, Kink (Sutherland 76), Christie (Doran 62). Subs not used: Watkins, Brown.

Ref: K Clancy

BBC

By Chris McLaughlin BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Champions Celtic end season 17 points clear at top
Stefan Scepovic scores double on rare start
Leigh Griffiths nets his 20th goal of the season

Stefan Scepovic scored twice as Celtic ended their fourth consecutive season as champions with a comfortable win over Inverness Caley Thistle.

Serbian striker Scepovic put the champions in front and Stefan Johansen scored from Emilio Izaguirre's cross.

Scepovic added his second from six yards on 70 minutes following good work from James Forrest.

Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons came off the bench to score with impressive strikes.

The hosts finished 17 points clear at the top and another clean sheet means Ronny Deila's Celtic side have conceded only 17 league goals all season.

Visiting manager John Hughes was happy to finish the game with no new injuries to his players from a match he said his Scottish Cup final side could have done without.

Every early pass was greeted with cheers of approval, with forgotten man Scepovic getting the party atmosphere going after just five minutes.

Making his eighth start after a £2.3m move last summer, the striker turned the ball in for his fifth goal of a frustrating season.

Carl Tremarco cleared a powerful shot from Virgil van Dijk off the line, with a much-changed Caley Thistle side under plenty of pressure.

Before 20 minutes had elapsed, Scotland's Player of the year Johansen doubled Celtic's advantage.

Izaguire ran down the left and sent over a perfectly-judged cross for Johansen, who swept a shot past Ryan Esson from 10 yards.

With their big day at Hampden to come next Saturday, the visitors were, perhaps understandably, a little tackle-shy and the game started to take on the look of an exhibition.
Leigh Griffiths scored his 20th goal of the season

Leigh Griffiths scored his 20th goal of the season after coming off the bench

But it came back to life momentarily with a reminder of the 'Meekings-gate' controversy.

This time it was Danny Williams who handled in the box to stop a Van Dijk header. Celtic players and fans howled for a penalty but, just like the Josh Meekings handball in the Scottish Cup semi final, the offence was missed by the officials.

Inverness played with a little more belief at the start of the second half but Stuart Armstrong should have put the game beyond reach after Forrest found him inside the box.

But, instead of bursting the net from eight yards, the former Dundee United midfielder fired the ball high over the crossbar.

With 20 minutes remaining Scepovic was at it again, with his second of the match.

Again, Forrest played a key role as he dipped his shoulders to skip past two defenders before sending a tantalising ball across the six-yard line which the Serb side-footed past Esson.

The club's top scorer Griffiths scored his 20th goal of the season just moments after replacing Scepovic – beating the offside trap to sprint forward and expertly fire the ball into the corner.

Commons added Celtic's fifth in the final minute, firing in a powerful shot, and that was the cue for a massive huddle in the Celtic Park stands as the raucous celebrations went up a gear before the trophy presentation.

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 5, Inverness CT 0.
90:00 +2:02 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 5, Inverness CT 0.
89:12 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 5, Inverness CT 0. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre.
84:44

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
84:44

Carl Tremarco (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:34

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
79:12 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 4, Inverness CT 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kris Commons.
78:11

Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
78:11

Nick Ross (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77:27

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
76:16 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Stefan Scepovic.
75:11 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. Alisdair Sutherland replaces Tarmo Kink.
74:58

Attempt missed. Nick Ross (Inverness CT) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
72:07 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. Cameron Mackay replaces Ryan Esson.
71:44

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
71:44

Nick Ross (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the left wing.
71:21

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
71:21

Foul by Lewis Horner (Inverness CT).
69:42 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Inverness CT 0. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by James Forrest.
67:36 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Charlie Mulgrew replaces Adam Matthews.
67:21 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Stuart Armstrong.
67:08

(Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
67:08

Foul by Tarmo Kink (Inverness CT).
65:49 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
65:45

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
65:45

Lewis Horner (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
61:30 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Inverness CT. Aaron Doran replaces Ryan Christie.
59:37 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
59:33

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
59:33

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the left wing.
58:13

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
58:13

Foul by Gary Warren (Inverness CT).
57:33

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
57:33

Foul by Ryan Christie (Inverness CT).
55:40

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
55:40

Foul by Nick Ross (Inverness CT).
53:49

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
49:12

Adam Matthews (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
49:12

Foul by Nick Ross (Inverness CT).
48:35

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
48:35

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Inverness CT 0.
45:00 +0:05 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, Inverness CT 0.
44:08

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
44:08

Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43:37

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
43:37

Nick Ross (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43:04

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Devine.
42:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Devine.
40:57

Attempt missed. James Vincent (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
33:43

Foul by Adam Matthews (Celtic).
33:43

Carl Tremarco (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the right wing.
32:43

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gary Warren.
32:02

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Christie.
26:27

Attempt missed. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
21:33

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Horner.
17:53 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Inverness CT 0. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre.
16:13

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
16:13

Tarmo Kink (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
13:16

Attempt missed. Tarmo Kink (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
12:50

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
12:50

James Vincent (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
11:10

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11:10

Foul by Liam Polworth (Inverness CT).
4:40 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Inverness CT 0. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Virgil van Dijk.
4:10

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
4:10

Foul by Liam Polworth (Inverness CT).
1:12

James Vincent (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
1:12

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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