Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021
Trivia
- League; 6pm kick-off, midweek game on Wednesday, on Celtic TV only, no fans at the matches due to Covid.
- Full fixture list on the day.
- Last game before lockdown Xmas
- Does this game mark the start of a turning point with Soro & Turnbull as lynchpins to replace old guard?
- Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has set his sights on the Pittodrie club challenging for a Champions League place this season.
- Duffy & Brown both limped out of Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final penalty-kick shoot-out victory over Hearts and have not recovered in time
- First match since Celtic won the quadruple, winning postponed Scottish Cup final on Sunday past. Season 2019/20 effectively over. Concentrating on this one now.
- Ex-Celt Charlie Nicholas & Andy Walker take shots at ex-Celtic manager Martin O’Neill for describing various ex-footballers turned commentators as basement dwellers. Charlie Nicholas adds he doesn’t see Martin O’Neill or Lennon as Celtic greats in the club’s history. Charlie Nicholas is best laughed at.
- Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan has admitted it would be “tempting” to move to Celtic if the option presented itself. The 23-year-old is currently plying his trade in Russia where he has scored eight goals in 19 games this season. He has previously been linked with Barcelona where his dad is currently coaching. (Russia Today)
- Odsonne Edouard is wanted by AC Milan and Juventus. The Celtic forward could be an in-demand option for teams in January. The Serie A giants are both on the hunt for a striker to add to the squad. (Calciomercato)
- Celtic will consider selling Olivier Ntcham next month. The French midfielder has started 12 matches this season, making 23 appearances in total. He has been linked with a move in recent transfer windows. Crystal Palace are one of the teams reportedly interested. (Eurosport)
- Ex-Celt Lewis Morgan named Most Valuable Player for Inter Miam
- UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal. Accord will guarantee tariff-free trade on most goods and create a platform for future co-operation
- Covid
- No Supporters allowed at the game.
- More than 40 countries ban UK arrivals
- Ex-Celt: Ipswich Town have called off two League One games after six members of staff tested positive for Covid-19, including manager (&ex-Celt) Paul Lambert.
- Celtic’s plans for a winter training camp have been placed in doubt due to Scotland going into lockdown after Boxing Day and UK flights being banned by 40 countries following the spread of a new Covid-19 strain.
- Ireland going into top tier lockdown.
- Scotland’s first minister(Sturgeon) apologised for breaching Covid rules by taking her face mask off at a wake. Seen standing talking to three people at a social distance, but with her face uncovered at the funeral of a Scottish government civil servant who died with Covid.
Summary
(JBC of TCW)
Last game before Xmas, and after all the difficulties of late, and admittedly poor performances, it’s a relief to have a reasonably comfortable win today. Even better to see Turnbull score too, a player who is developing and also winning the hearts of the support. Griffiths again makes a mockery of all the premature obituaries written about him earlier in the season with another goal, but the mystery remains over Edouard, what is wrong with his form?
A clean sheet, and 3 pts, and Happy Xmas to all.
(Etims)
Ok the positives. We won. We’ve won our last 4 games, albeit one via pens in cup final but still a win. The negatives…we don’t look like a cohesive fitba team. Individuals all over the pitch. Slow. Ponderous. Weak defensively. No clear positive patterns of play.
By now we should have a clear method of positive play as we have a squad full of talented players. Issue is they look as if they’ve just met…five months into the season! Some players (Eddie, who is normally a class above) miles off their best. Lack of energy and intensity. Cards on the table…if we from here go onto to take the league race down to the wire I’ll be amazed, shocked and quite frankly stunned!
Teams
Celtic
65Hazard
30Frimpong
2Jullien
35Ajer
93Laxalt
12Soro
17Christie Substituted forRogicat 72’minutes
14Turnbull Substituted forNtchamat 71’minutes
42McGregor
9Griffiths Substituted forAjetiat 81’minutes
22Edouard Substituted forJohnstonat 72’minutes
Substitutes:
1Barkas
3Taylor
6Bitton
10Ajeti
11Klimala
18Rogic
19Johnston
21Ntcham
27Elyounoussi
Goals: Turnbull (24′ minutes), Griffiths (61′ minutes)
Assists:
Frimpong (24′ minutes), Christie (61′ minutes)
Ross County
1Laidlaw
15Watson
5Morris
16Iacovitti
43Reid
24Paton
6Draper
Substituted forTillsonat 76’minutes
11Vigurs
Substituted forMckayat 76’minutes
18Kelly
7Gardyne
Substituted forHyltonat 45’minutes
27Stewart
Substituted forShawat 34’minutes
Substitutes
3Tremarco
8Shaw
9Mckay
14Hylton
22Tillson
25Donaldson
31Munro
44Wright
46Williamson
Goals:
Assists:
Ref: Euan Anderson
Att: none, Covid
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-ross-county-pre-match-thread-wednesday-23-t137695.html?view=unread#unread
- Match https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-ross-county-live-match-thread-ft-2-0-turn-t137697.html?view=unread#unread
- Post https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/celtic-v-ross-county-post-match-thread-ft-2-0-turn-t137698.html?view=unread#unread
- MoTM https://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/motm-celtic-v-ross-county-t137699.html?view=unread#unread
Stats
Home TeamCelticAway TeamRoss CountyPossessionHome67%Away33%ShotsHome24Away5Shots on TargetHome7Away3CornersHome10Away3FoulsHome10Away5
Articles
Celtic 2 Ross County 0
Happy Bhoy: Celtic’s David Turnbull (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring his side’s first goal
Ronnie Esplin
December 24 2020 07:13 AM
Neil Lennon believes Celtic took another step in the right direction with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ross County at Parkhead.
Midfielder David Turnbull knocked in the opener after 23 minutes after being set up by Jeremie Frimpong.
Striker Leigh Griffiths, making his first league start of the season, headed in a second after 61 minutes to clinch three points against the Premiership’s bottom side, managed for the first time by John Hughes.
It was the fourth win in-a-row for Celtic, albeit the William Hill Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts at Hampden Park on Sunday required a penalty shoot-out.
The champions remain 16 points behind Rangers, who won 3-0 at St Johnstone, with three games in hand and the Hoops boss was happy to see continuing improvement.
Lennon said: “We should have won the game by more.
“It was a clean sheet and we didn’t look in any trouble. We seem to be going in the right direction again.
“We missed some great chances and the quality of what we created was high.
“I am delighted, though. It was a good performance. Overall I am really pleased and it’s a step in the right direction.
“We got a lift from the weekend win and that pressure and anxiety has gone now.
“We are looking forward to the league games now and it’s good to get a win to start the Christmas period.
“There is a feel-good factor. We just want to keep the squad bubbling over now.
“We are still a long way back and we won’t get too high or too low. It’s a game at a time, but we are taking steps in the right direction.”
County have now lost five games in-a-row – four in the league – and remain four points behind second-bottom Hamilton at the halfway point in the season but Hughes was encouraged by what he witnessed.
The former Hibernian and Inverness boss, who took over from Stuart Kettlewell on Monday, said: “I was quite glad we were coming to Parkhead because we were playing against the champions and I could see who was up for it, I could see what we have got and see who was fazed by it.
“In terms of quality, I am honest enough to say it has to be better, ball retention has to be better.
“In terms of effort and commitment, it was very good.
“The goals we lost were preventable and we have to stop that, but in terms of togetherness, I saw that tonight.
“There is enough there for me to know that if we get a wee bit of luck we could be alright.”
Celtic: Hazard, Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Laxalt, Soro, Christie (Rogic 72), Turnbull (Ntcham 71), McGregor, Griffiths, Edouard (Johnston 72).
Subs not used: Barkas, Taylor, Bitton, Ajeti, Klimala, Elyounoussi.
Ross County: Laidlaw, Watson, Morris, Iacovitti, Reid, Paton, Draper (Tillson 76), Vigurs (McKay 76), Kelly, Gardyne (Hylton 45), Stewart (Shaw 34).
Subs not used: Tremarco, Donaldson, Munro, Wright, Williamson.
Referee: Euan Anderson (Scotland)
Man of the match: Leigh Griffiths
BBC
Leigh Griffiths scored on his first Scottish Premiership start of the season as Celtic eased to victory over Ross County.
The Scotland striker looped a well-placed header in from a Ryan Christie cross to add to a first-half strike from David Turnbull.
Celtic stay 16 points behind Rangers, having played three fewer matches.
Bottom-of-the-table County battled diligently under new manager John Hughes but seldom threatened.
Reaction & as it happened
The clamour to remove Neil Lennon reached fever pitch following a League Cup defeat at home against County last month, but the pressure on the Celtic manager has eased in recent weeks.
Sunday’s dramatic Scottish Cup success completed a quadruple treble of trophies and the champions are now five games unbeaten in all competitions.
There were further signs of improvement in this one-sided contest, too. Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard were paired together up front, with the Frenchman given a freer role to go looking for the ball.
Both were lively, with Edouard shooting just wide in the first half and Griffiths squandering two good chances shortly before he got his goal.
That arrived on the hour when he was given time to steer home a delivery from the right from Christie.
Griffiths, who scored as an extra-time substitute and tucked in a shoot-out penalty against Hearts, had earlier delayed a good shooting opportunity, while Ross Laidlaw saved after an appalling back-pass from Iain Vigurs presented Griffiths with a one-on-one.
The breakthrough had come after 24 minutes when Jeremie Frimpong turned Josh Reid inside out before his cut-back from the bye-line was turned in by Turnbull.
County spent most of the time defending their own penalty area but did have one good sight of goal early on, when Ross Stewart glanced a header wide.
The visitors then lost their top scorer to injury before the interval and offered little in attack thereafter.
Man-of-the-match – David Turnbull
David Turnbull steers in the opening goal for Celtic
Turnbull steered in the opening goal and was constantly probing for openings in the final third
What did we learn?
Griffiths and Edouard have proven their prowess as a partnership before and, while the former was undoubtedly rusty, he got a valuable 80-minutes under his belt and tucked away his fifth goal of the season with a calm assurance.
With County sitting deep, Turnbull and Christie were busy as the champions looked for gaps in a packed defence, although some of the play out from the back remains a bit ponderous.
The home defence were rarely troubled but a clean sheet will be welcome and there were no signs of the panic witnessed at Hampden on Sunday and in several other outings this season.
What did they say?
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “It’s another step in the right direction. I thought we should have won the game by a lot more but I’m very pleased with the freshness the boys who came in today brought to the team. The was a good zest about us.”
Ross County manager John Hughes: “Our organisation, the distances between players, our willingness to get stuck in and fight for the cause; I think that was evident. The disappointment is I’d like to have created more chances, laid a glove on them a little bit, and I’d like to have been better on the ball.”
Match ends, Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
90’+3′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
90’+1′
Post update
Attempt saved. Jermaine Hylton (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
90′
Post update
Oli Shaw (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89′
Post update
Attempt saved. Oli Shaw (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Billy Mckay with a headed pass.
86′
Post update
Attempt saved. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Michael Johnston.
83′
Post update
Offside, Ross County. Stephen Kelly tries a through ball, but Callum Morris is caught offside.
83′
Post update
Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).
83′
Post update
Oli Shaw (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
81′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Albian Ajeti replaces Leigh Griffiths.
81′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham tries a through ball, but Leigh Griffiths is caught offside.
79′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Michael Johnston (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
77′
Post update
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
77′
Post update
Callum Morris (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76′
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Jordan Tillson replaces Ross Draper.
76′
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Billy Mckay replaces Iain Vigurs.
75′
Post update
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
75′
Post update
Iain Vigurs (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Olivier Ntcham (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
72′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Michael Johnston replaces Odsonne Edouard.
72′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Ryan Christie.
71′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham replaces David Turnbull.
70′
Post update
Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
70′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
68′
Post update
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Christopher Jullien.
66′
Post update
Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by David Turnbull.
66′
Post update
Christopher Jullien (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66′
Post update
Foul by Oli Shaw (Ross County).
64′
Post update
Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths.
64′
Post update
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
64′
Post update
Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).
61′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Ross County 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.
61′
Post update
Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
60′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ismaila Soro (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
59′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer.
57′
Post update
Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
57′
Post update
Jermaine Hylton (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
54′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.
54′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
51′
Post update
Offside, Ross County. Oli Shaw tries a through ball, but Jermaine Hylton is caught offside.
51′
Post update
Hand ball by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
49′
Post update
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
48′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Odsonne Edouard tries a through ball, but Leigh Griffiths is caught offside.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Jermaine Hylton replaces Michael Gardyne.
Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Ross County 0.
45’+4′
Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Ross County 0.
45’+3′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. David Turnbull tries a through ball, but Kristoffer Ajer is caught offside.
45’+2′
Post update
Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45’+2′
Post update
Foul by Ross Draper (Ross County).
43′
Post update
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
42′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
40′
Post update
Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
38′
Post update
Attempt saved. Stephen Kelly (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oli Shaw with a headed pass.
37′
Post update
Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic).
37′
Post update
Alex Iacovitti (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37′
Post update
Attempt missed. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by David Turnbull with a cross following a corner.
36′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
36′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Watson.
34′
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Oli Shaw replaces Ross Stewart because of an injury.
32′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
31′
Post update
Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
31′
Post update
Harrison Paton (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.
28′
Post update
Offside, Ross County. Iain Vigurs tries a through ball, but Harrison Paton is caught offside.
27′
Post update
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Ismaila Soro.
26′
Post update
Foul by Diego Laxalt (Celtic).
26′
Post update
Harrison Paton (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
24′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Ross County 0. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
23′
Post update
Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
23′
Post update
Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).
21′
Post update
Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
21′
Post update
Foul by Ross Draper (Ross County).
20′
Post update
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
17′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ross Stewart (Ross County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Michael Gardyne with a cross.
15′
Post update
Attempt missed. Diego Laxalt (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.
11′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic).
11′
Post update
Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths with a headed pass.
8′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ross Stewart (Ross County) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Keith Watson with a cross.
G
7′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.
6′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Iain Vigurs.
6′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Gardyne.
5′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Iain Vigurs.
5′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Diego Laxalt (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
5′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Christopher Jullien (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.
5′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josh Reid.
3′
Post update
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left following a corner.
2′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.
2′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 18:1518:15
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.