2019-12-01: Ross County 1-4 Celtic, SP

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Trivia

Celtic remain on top of the league, Sevco won their game 5-0 v Hearts. Both on same pts total.
Back to the domestic setup.
Next week is the league cup final between Celtic & Sevco.
Celtic boss Lennon revealed he is still sweating on the fitness of three players, including Odsonne Edouard ahead of next Sunday's Betfred Cup final with Rangers. Mohamed Elyounoussi and Boli Bolingoli are also in a race to be fit for the Hampden clash.
Any manager can go to Scotland and win trophies with Celtic, according to former England boss Sam Allardyce. He is a windbag who is best ignored.
Ryan Christie missed a penalty but got the rebound. Good homecoming for the Inverness born player, and it was his mum's birthday apparently.
Sinclair still not in the team. Edouard out, and concerns over injuries. Derby County are considering a January swoop for out-of-favour Celtic winger Scott Sinclair.
Mikey Johnstone subbed on and scores. Morgan scores too. So great day for young Celts.
UK is currently in General election mode, but not very optimistic from many.
Arsenal manager got sacked in the weekend. Ex-Celtc was just bought by Arsenal but not given much of a chance despite good words from their fans on his fleeiting appearances so far. Rumours/reports that ex-Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers may bail out on his new club Leicester for Arsenal, despite having only just joined Leicester and taken them to second in the league table.

Review

(Columbo of KDS)
Excellent result – not at our best but could have still racked up a huge win.

Was never going to be a feast of football against the massed defence.

Rogic looks like the player we had at the start of his time with Celtic – lost the ball any time he came into contact with the opposition.

James Forrest didn't get involved enough and Jullien had a day to forget – very sloppy.

Mikey Johnston looked great again.

Tougher day for young Frimpong but he stuck at it.

Teams

Ross County

21Baxter
15Watson
5Morris
4FontaineBooked at 29mins
3Kelly
14Mullin
16Spence
24Paton
18Foster
27Stewart
8Erwin

Substituted forGrahamat 64'minutes

Substitutes

1Laidlaw
2Fraser
7Gardyne
9Mckay
19Graham
20Spittal
23Chalmers

Goals

Stewart (24' minutes)

Celtic

67Forster
30FrimpongBooked at 23mins
2Jullien
35Ajer
3Taylor
8Brown
42McGregor· Substituted forBittonat 81'minutes
· 17Christie
· 18Rogic· Substituted forJohnstonat 72'minutesBooked at 73mins
· 49Forrest
· 16MorganSubstituted for Griffiths at 76'minutes

Substitutes

1 Gordon
6 Bitton
9 Griffiths
11 Sinclair
13 Bauer
19 Johnston
41 Robertson

Goals

· Christie (11' minutes, 38' minutes),
· Rogic (67' minutes),
· Johnston (73' minutes)

Referee:
Nick Walsh
Attendance:
6,512

Articles

Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Voting Thread
Result Thread
Winner –

Stats

Ross County
Celtic

Possession
Home30%
Away70%

Shots
Home2
Away19

Shots on Target
Home2
Away7

Corners
Home0
Away11

Fouls
Home12
Away8

Articles

Ross County 1-4 Celtic: Celtic get in the Christie spirit early this year…

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ross-county-1-4-celtic-celtic-get-in-the-christie-spirit-early-this-year-1-5055182Alan Pattullo

Published: 21:50 Sunday 01 December 2019

weeks for Celtic. Their fans belted out Christmas songs, some with  unfamiliar lyrics, as they got into  the festive spirit.
It might be premature, as may be the mockery directed at Steven Gerrard for, among other things, never having won a league title, but their team  certainly show little sign of letting up.
This win in the Highlands was Celtic’s tenth in succession in all competitions since a meek 2-0 surrender to Livingston, one of the few occasions this season when they – and Ryan Christie – were off-key, with the midfielder sent off in the first half for a poor challenge on Scott Robinson.
The run started with a 6-0 win over Ross County in the next game – which Christie sat out due to suspension. It continued here with another emphatic win against the same opponents and with Christie very much to the fore against his old rivals from Inverness Caledonian Thistle days.
He doesn’t have to prove anything anywhere any more, certainly not here in the Highlands. Christie guided the champions through a tricky assignment on his home turf.
He certainly knows the way to goal. He has now scored 16 times this season, 15 of them for Celtic. If there was any disappointment for him personally yesterday it was failing to net a hat-trick having scored twice in the opening half. He did come close and his maiden Celtic treble probably won’t be long in coming.
He hit the junction of bar and post with a swerving free-kick in the opening minutes. He also had a hand in the third, flicking the ball into Tom Rogic’s path. The Australian duly swept home his second goal of the season.
Substitute Mikey Johnston scored the fourth within seconds of replacing Rogic. Celtic’s options are abundant even when they are missing their top scorer. Well, top scorer until yesterday that is. Christie has now displaced Odsonne Edouard in that regard and with Celtic in such free-scoring form, the currently injured striker’s absence has not been as  sorely felt as anticipated.
Lewis Morgan carried on from where he left off against Rennes in midweek. Deployed through the middle once more, he earned Celtic the penalty from which the visitors opened the scoring after just 11 minutes.
There was some initial confusion about why the kick had been awarded. There was a handball before Keith Watson clipped the heels of Morgan, with referee Nick Walsh viewing the latter as a penalty. Even when Christie messes up, he still profits.
The midfielder did not hit his effort far enough into the corner and Nathan Baxter blocked the ball to his right. The ever-alert Christie pounced on the rebound and with the goalkeeper stranded, made no mistake.
Celtic were given a jolt just 13 minutes later when Ross Stewart headed in an equaliser that seemed to catch everyone, including the home fans, by surprise. The hosts managed to stretch the visitors down the left and Jeremie Frimpong took extreme action by hauling down Stewart.
The tall striker made his way into the box while Frimpong was booked. Josh Mullin whipped a fine delivery from the set-piece into the middle, where Christopher Jullien seemed to misjudge his leap. Stewart took full advantage of the opportunity to glance the ball past Fraser Forster from the edge of the six-yard box.

Six minutes from half-time, Celtic restored their lead.
Christie’s perpetual motion saw him pitch up through the middle. Kristoffer Ajer played him in with  a fine through ball that split the  middle of the hosts’ defence. Christie did the rest, finishing tidily past Baxter.
Rogic made the points safe just over ten minutes later after Morgan drove into the box before cutting the ball back. Greg Taylor nudged it on to Christie, who pirouetted to set-up Rogic with a chance he was never going to squander.
Taylor was again involved for Celtic’s fourth. He released Johnston, who had just come on for Rogic, down the left. The substitute, clearly relishing this early chance to warm up, scampered into the box, darted between Richard Foster and Callum Morris, and fired into the far bottom corner past Baxter.
Another substitute could not make quite such an impact. His team-mates seem as desperate for Leigh Griffiths to score as he is himself, but the  striker was left frustrated during his 14 minutes on the pitch after replacing Morgan.
Indeed, Ross County felt they should have cut the deficit after Stewart struck what he fiercely believed was his second goal of the afternoon. It was not to be.
Referee Walsh did not wait for his near-side assistant’s flag and blew for offside against substitute Brian Graham, who he felt had impeded Jullien’s effort to retrieve the situation. The howls of frustration were still echoing as the stadium emptied and man of the moment Christie was being led off for another round of interviews.

BBC
Celtic earned their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions by beating Ross County to maintain their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Ryan Christie converted a penalty at the second attempt after Lewis Morgan was fouled, then he coolly restored the lead just before the break after Ross Stewart's header had levelled.

Tom Rogic and Mikey Johnston netted after the interval as Celtic took their tally to 37 points from a possible 42 – a total matched by rivals Rangers, who thrashed Hearts later on Sunday.

County had a late effort by Stewart disallowed for offside, but the Dingwall side are now nine games without a win and remain eighth, three points clear of bottom spot.

Reaction & as it happened
How did the players rate?
Edouard doubt for League Cup final

Sparkling Christie downs County

Any concerns over the creative and clinical capacity of Celtic's attacking line without Odsonne Edouard were quickly removed by the speed and tenacity of Christie and Lewis Morgan.

With just five minutes on the clock, Morgan took on two defenders down Celtic's right only to be clumsily tripped by Keith Watson. Christie looked poised to deliver the dead ball into the crowded box, but instead he opted to try and tuck it inside the front post, smacking the woodwork with his attempt.

The Highlanders weren't afforded as much good fortune six minutes later when a poor clearance bobbled to the feet of Morgan, who duly nipped past Watson before a late tackle caught the Celtic player. Christie again stepped up and, although his initial shot was saved by Nathan Baxter, he comfortably tapped home the rebound. Celtic had their opening goal.

An onslaught from the Scottish champions seemed likely, but County were offered a rare respite from waves of attack when Jeremie Frimpong brought Stewart down in pursuit of a long punt up the park.

Most of Josh Mullin's 15 assists in last season's Scottish Championship came from crosses and it was his set-piece that curled over the Celtic defence and towards Stewart, who headed home. It was an inch-perfect cross for a striker who now has nine goals to his name this season.
Ryan Christie

The unexpected response seemed to unsettle Celtic, but within 15 minutes, the visitors struck once more. Again, the ingenuity and finishing of Christie was on show, alighting upon Kristoffer Ajer's pass through the middle and sliding past Baxter with his left foot to ensure Celtic's led at half-time.

Although Celtic didn't bring the same attacking threat to the second half as they did in the first, they still did enough to turn the game further in their favour.

Just before the hour, Callum McGregor cannoned an effort against a post and, shortly afterwards, Morgan started the move the yielded a third goal. The forward darted down the left and cut the ball across County's six-yard box. Greg Taylor dummied, Christie flicked it on, then Rogic ended the move with a deflected shot inside the back post.

Lennon introduced Johnston and, within two minutes, the forward picked up the ball on the left and jinked between two defenders with ease before angling into the far corner of the net. A signature goal from the young attacker.

County would have a seemingly legitimate goal ruled out when Stewart's finish was disallowed because Brian Graham had been offside when the initial cross was made. But a consolation goal would not have masked another poor result for the promoted side.
Man of the match – Ryan Christie

BBC Scotland's Eilidh Davies at Global Energy Stadium

Christie proved to be hugely influential. The 24-year-old hit the bar early on, scored twice, and was involved in the third goal, scored by Rogic.

His movement and work-rate paid dividends for the Parkhead side and he is now the top scorer for Neil Lennon's side this term with 15 goals. Hard to believe that, little over a year ago, he was a bit-part player at Celtic.

Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We feel we should have had a second goal today. I'm not saying it impacted the result but it's a massive frustration. I think the guy has got it completely wrong.

"Ross Stewart is clearly onside, Brian Graham is clearly walking back away from the goal. It's not that it would have got us back in the game, the goal difference is a crucial part of the season."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "We were a constant threat. We had to work at breaking them down, but the longer the game went on we looked like we got stronger, more powerful and penetrating as well.

"In the end four goals is a very good total away from home but it could have been more."

Match ends, Ross County 1, Celtic 4.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+4'
Second Half ends, Ross County 1, Celtic 4.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 89'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Fontaine.
Posted at 89'
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 88'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Kelly.
Posted at 87'
Attempt missed. Michael Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Posted at 86'
Attempt saved. Brian Graham (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Posted at 81'
Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces Callum McGregor.
Posted at 80'
Liam Fontaine (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 80'
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
Posted at 79'
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
Posted at 79'
Josh Mullin (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right.
Posted at 78'
Foul by Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic).
Posted at 78'
Harrison Paton (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 77'
Foul by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
Posted at 77'
Liam Fontaine (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 76'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
Posted at 76'
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Substitution
Posted at 76'
Substitution, Celtic. Leigh Griffiths replaces Lewis Morgan.
Posted at 75'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 75'
Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).
Booking
Posted at 73'
Michael Johnston (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Posted at 73'
Goal! Ross County 1, Celtic 4. Michael Johnston (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
Substitution
Posted at 72'
Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces Tomas Rogic.
Posted at 71'
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 71'
Foul by Ross Stewart (Ross County).
Goal!
Posted at 67'
Goal! Ross County 1, Celtic 3. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
Posted at 66'
Hand ball by Callum Morris (Ross County).
Substitution
Posted at 64'
Substitution, Ross County. Brian Graham replaces Lee Erwin.
Posted at 63'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
Posted at 62'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Richard Foster.
Posted at 59'
Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
Posted at 58'
Callum McGregor (Celtic) hits the left post with a left footed shot from outside the box.
Posted at 56'
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 56'
Foul by Lee Erwin (Ross County).
Posted at 52'
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 52'
Foul by Lewis Spence (Ross County).
Posted at 48'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 48'
Foul by Ross Stewart (Ross County).
Posted at 47'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 47'
Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Second Half
Posted at
Second Half begins Ross County 1, Celtic 2.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+2'
First Half ends, Ross County 1, Celtic 2.
Posted at 45'+1'
Attempt missed. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Posted at 45'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Spence.
Posted at 42'
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Goal!
Posted at 38'
Goal! Ross County 1, Celtic 2. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer.
Posted at 36'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Watson.
Posted at 35'
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 35'
Foul by Sean Kelly (Ross County).
Posted at 31'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Harrison Paton.
Booking
Posted at 29'
Liam Fontaine (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 29'
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 29'
Foul by Liam Fontaine (Ross County).
Goal!
Posted at 24'
Goal! Ross County 1, Celtic 1. Ross Stewart (Ross County) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Josh Mullin following a set piece situation.
Booking
Posted at 23'
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 23'
Foul by Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic).
Posted at 23'
Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 20'
Attempt saved. Lewis Morgan (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 19'
Attempt missed. Lewis Morgan (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
Posted at 17'
Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 17'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Goal!
Posted at 11'
Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 1. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a set piece situation.
Posted at 11'
Penalty saved! Ryan Christie (Celtic) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 11'
Penalty conceded by Lewis Spence (Ross County) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Posted at 10'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
Posted at 10'
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 9'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
Posted at 8'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Watson.
Posted at 8'
Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 7'
Ryan Christie (Celtic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right from a direct free kick.
Posted at 6'
Lewis Morgan (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 6'
Foul by Sean Kelly (Ross County).
Posted at 3'
Callum Morris (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 3'
Foul by Lewis Morgan (Celtic).
Posted at 2'
Foul by Lewis Spence (Ross County).
Posted at 2'
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 2'
Foul by Keith Watson (Ross County).
Posted at 2'
James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.