Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 12:30 Saturday; Sky Sports TV, League Match 22
- Celtic on top on 59pts +53GD, well ahead of Sevco on 41pts & +21GD (albeit until they play tomorrow)
- -9C today! Freezing temps, and the pitch was a brillo pad!
- Johnny Kenny finally gets his debut for the first team!
- Somewhat of an injury problem with 3 wingers out injured (Maeda, Forrest, Kuhn). Some squad rotation today even Taylor benched. Hectic schedule this month. No Palma as expected gone soon.
- The key YB of Berne game in the Champions League is upcoming, so players playing for a starting role, whilst also ensuring they keep fit & uninjured!
- Sevco walkout: the Union Bears ultras group & Supporters Association, urged attendees to walkout of Ibrox in the 55th minute of their match (won 3-1) “to send a statement to the board…that we will no longer tolerate their incompetence, excuses and disrespect”. Others around the stadium joined them, but they were clearly in the minority. While there was a smattering of applause, which appeared to support the move, what was striking was some hefty booing too.
- Reports: Rayo Vallecano in for Luis Palma, seeking loan deal with £2.1m option to buy. Holm expected to join Los Angeles FC in time for pre-season, with their season starting in March. In talks with Sarpsborg over potential deal for winger Sondre Ørjasæter. Oxford Utd interested in signing Maik Nawrocki on loan. Celtic in talks over Mathias Kvistgaarden £7m transfer
- Celtic and Kyogo Furuhashi have received an apology from Major League Soccer after they wrongly claimed Kyogo had joined Atlanta United!
- Transfer window:
- Stephen Welsh to KV Mechelen (Belgium) on loan till end of season.
- Ex-Celt Neil Lennon apparently in consideration for Luton Town job (but note his name has often been thrown to any role that seems to pop up).
- Ex-Celt Davie Moyes returns as manager of Everton!
Summary
“Very pleased. Games and conditions like today you just have to find a way to win. Players showed a fantastic mentality. The effort to keep going is great credit to the players. It’s now about recovery and preparing for our next game on Tuesday”.
Brendan Rodgers
“You don’t have time to dwell on things as a player due to our quality of squad. If you do dwell you won’t get a game”
Alistair Johnston
Joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
A curious game played in freezing cold weather on a brillo pad like pitch that was partly thawing out. Celtic were mostly in control throughout albeit luck held against them in various goal mouth scrambles that hindered them grabbing goals. Kyogo popped up to score the opener to please the travelling fans (with some claiming he should have had a penalty earlier but a bit soft). Idah continued his frustrating form of late but the effort and dig was there.
Ross County grabbed an equaliser from a contentious penalty after a VAR review but credit to the Celtic team there was no panic who carried on as before. Whilst many felt it would end in a draw, well Kyogo grabbed an equaliser from a fine cross from Engels, whilst Engels scored from a retaken penalty after Yang was taken down in the box. A final goal from McCowan very late into injury time gave a very convincing looking scoreline.
Yang was marmite in this game, winning a penalty and close to a goal twice (this foul for the penalty and only for Kyogo to nip in front to grab the first goal), but the effort was there. Some viewed this as one of his better games but more was still needed.
Kyogo was key with some great running and play, and was the main difference today, especially as his favoured wingers were all our today.
Johnny Kenny came on for his debut and almost scored quickly but kept up in play and will be used as a third striker for the remainder of the season.
Big shout out to the Ross County keeper who was excellent in the game, and MOTM for many. The total goals conceded today didn’t reflect how good he was today and impressed all.
I think today was quite a mixed bag for VAR in this Celtic game! Why did it take so long for such an obvious penalty for foul on Yang? If that was a penalty for the foul by Johnstone, then so should have been the foul on Kyogo in the first half? Kudos for retaking penalty decision.
E-Tims @ETimsNet FT Ross Co 1 #Celtic 4 Game after game after game and on a pitch due to the dreadful weather that was befitting a shite juniors yin…Co equalise….and we keep going time after time after time. This group of players, Mgr and coaching staff deserve enormous credit. Big bravo
Missing 4 wingers. Adapt system. Playing every 3 days. Ridiculous schedule. The odd disappointment as you get in fitba & time after time the team deals with any adversity & wins. It’s quite astonishing the levels of consistency with this group. A team to be proud of #Celtic
These are the performances that win Leagues Which is exactly what Patrick Stewart will be telling Big Phil
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · 4h Strong performance from Celtic, as you’d expect, but even with the lack of width I thought they adapted really well, Kyogo’s positioning in the first half was excellent, don’t know why they changed that at half time, Kenny’s direct running made a big difference second half.
The Cynic @90minutecynic.bsky.social · 4h Was really just looking for the 3 points today but an enjoyable game and good performance. Problem solving brings out the best in the manager and this group of players. Yang being the only winger available ended up being an opportunity for change. Kyogo back in the goals
Performance in Numbers
▪️90 minutes
▪️2 Goals
▪️1.07 xG
▪️20/32 Passes Complete (62%)
▪️1 Chance Created
▪️4 Shots on Target
▪️53 Touches
▪️7 Touches in Opposition Box
▪️3/4 Successful Dribbles
▪️5 Passes into the Final Third
▪️4 Recoveries
Teams
Celtic
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 1 – 4 – 1
01 K. Schmeichel
11 Álex Valle, subbed for L. Scales at 85mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
41 R. Hatate, subbed for L. McCowan at 73mins
27 A. Engels
08 K. Furuhashi
09 A. Idah, subbed for J. Kenny at 73mins
Subs:
55 D. Cummings
28 Paulo Bernardo
24 J. Kenny
14 L. McCowan
37 A. Montgomery
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
03 G. Taylor
Goals:
K. Furuhashi (40′, 81′)
A. Engels (90’+6 pen)
L. McCowan (90’+8)
Assists:
A. Johnston (40′), J. Kenny (90’+8
Ross County
Manager: Don Cowie
Formation: 3 – 5 – 1 – 1
18 J. Amissah
19 E. Campbell
20 K. Łopata, subbed for J. Grieves at 53mins
04 A. Wright
16 G. Harmon
42 N. Kenneh 30′, Yellow Card at 30mins, subbed for J. White at 46mins
08 C. Randall (c), Captain, subbed for V. Loturi at 85mins
10 N. Chilvers
02 J. Brown 90’+3, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 3
23 J. Nisbet, subbed for S. Allardice at 85mins
09 R. Hale, subbed for K. Phillips at 46mins
Subs:
06 S. Allardice
14 J. Grieves
22 J. Hamilton
05 R. Lamie
07 V. Loturi 88′, Yellow Card at 88mins
11 K. Phillips
43 J. Reid
21 C. Telfer
26 J. White
Goals:
J. White (60′ pen)
Assists:
Referee Matthew MacDermid
Video Assistant Referee Greg Aitken
Assistant Referee 1 David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2 David Dunne
Fourth Official Duncan Nicolson
Assistant VAR Official Graeme Leslie
Venue:Global Energy Stadium
Attendance:6,254
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall possession
Ross County 21.7% Celtic 78.3%
Shots
Ross County 6 Celtic 27
Shots on target
Ross County 1 Celtic 13
Total touches inside the box
Ross County 8 Celtic 40
Goalkeeper saves
Ross County 9 Celtic 0
Fouls
Ross County 6 Celtic 5
Corners
Ross County 6 Celtic 7
Shots
Ross County 6 Celtic 27
Shots on target
Ross County 1 Celtic 13
Shots off target
Ross County 4 Celtic 4
Blocked shots
Ross County 1 Celtic 10
Attempts out of box
Ross County 3 Celtic 9
Total offside
Ross County 2 Celtic 0
Total tackles
Ross County 23 Celtic 18
Won tackles
Ross County 13 Celtic 14
Fouls
Ross County 6 Celtic 5
Total yellow cards
Ross County 3 Celtic 0
Total clearances
Ross County 43 Celtic 24
Headed clearances
Ross County 14 Celtic 18
Duels won
Ross County 48 Celtic 53
Errors leading to shots
Ross County 0 Celtic 1
Total passes
Ross County 199 Celtic 751
Accurate passes
Ross County 120 Celtic 672
Backward passes
Ross County 35 Celtic 131
Forward passes
Ross County 99 Celtic 246
Total long balls
Ross County 52 Celtic 29
Successful final third passes
Ross County 40 Celtic 165
Total crosses
Ross County 16 Celtic 28
Touches
Ross County 403 Celtic 950
Touches in the box
Ross County 8 Celtic 40
Dispossessed
Ross County 10 Celtic 16
Goalkeeper saves
Ross County 9 Celtic 0
Diving saves
Ross County 2 Celtic 0
Saved shots from inside the box
Ross County 7 Celtic 0
Saved shots from outside the box
Ross County 2 Celtic 0
Keeper throws
Ross County 1 Celtic 2
Goal kicks
Ross County 6 Celtic 5
PreMatch Facts:
Ross County have lost each of their last 13 meetings with Celtic in all competitions since a 1-0 home league win in February 2021.
Celtic have lost just one of their last 18 visits to Ross County in all competitions (W15 D2), winning each of their last seven in a row.
Ross County have won three of their last four league games (D1), as many as their first 18 such matches of the season beforehand (W3 D6 L9). The Staggies could win three successive Scottish Premiership games for the first time since March 2022.
Celtic have kept 17 clean sheets in 21 league games this season, at least three more than they have ever previously recorded in their opening 21 matches of a league campaign (14 in 1913-14, 1916-17, and 2003-04).
Articles
Manager gives thumbs up to players’ response
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/january/11/manager-gives-thumbs-up-to-players–response/
First Team
By Joe Sullivan
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11 Jan 2025, 3:51 pm
A traditionally tough trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County today, (Saturday) was met by a resolve and determination in the Celtic side to make the long journey home with all three points.
And the travelling Celtic support also made the journey home with the added warmth of full points as a double from Kyogo followed by a retaken Arne Engels penalty and a goal from Luke McCowan delivered a 4-1 win in the lunchtime kick-off.
After the 4-2 win, the manager, Brendan Rodgers told Celtic TV: “I was so pleased, I think everyone can tell the conditions, the pitch – it was a real challenge today.
“But I thought the resilience of the team really came through, as when you have that consistency, it’s a facet you need to have.
‘It was always going to be difficult to play fast, flowing football but we dominated the first half, and performance-wise we should have been more than one goal up.’
“We started the second half in a good place, then we give the ball away cheaply for a throw-in over in the corner, then that spell led to them getting penalty from it.
“But we dusted ourselves off, went again, made some changes to bring energy back into the game and then I thought we deserved the scoreline in the end.
“And that’s a fantastic tribute to the effort of the players and everything they gave to the game.”
The introduction of Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny, the latter making his Celtic debut after returning from Shamrock Rovers on loan, added a freshness to the proceedings that County found difficult to combat.
The manager said: “It’s what you want, because they sat freezing on the side, then they’ve got to come in and make an impact, and they do that.
“Luke does what he does. Obviously we were missing two guys on the sides who score a lot of goals so it was important that we wanted goalscorers on to the pitch and he can score a goal, Johnny has scored goals for Shamrock.
“So I thought both of them came in and added a freshness to the game for us.”
The game took the gap, for 24 hours at least, to 18 points and the manager has been delighted with the consistency of his players in creating that lead at the top.
He said: “It’s very pleasing, because it’s not an easy thing to do at all, but it’s something that they train for every day – the standard and performance in training, the mind-set in training is so good,.
“And then we take that into the game because one of the biggest failings in becoming successful is that your mind-set is not right or you have a negative mind-set, but this group haven’t.
“We message them, we train them, we work them to go out into very game to be the very best
“You see in days like today when it wasn’t all going their way and they get pegged back, they still have a response there and a fight to get the win.
“So we’re so, so pleased and obviously for the supporters as well, because the journey up here and to be in the freezing cold, so at least in the second half we were kicking down towards the supporters and they pull the ball into the net, and they can go away really happy.”
Celts freeze out County threat in 4-1 win
Match Report
By Matthew Campbell
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11 Jan 2025, 2:51 pm
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, January 11, 2025
The Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
ROSS COUNTY…1
(White 60)
CELTIC…4
(Kyogo 40 & 81, Engels 96, McCowan 98)
The Celts overcame sub-zero temperatures in the Highlands and a Ross County team in good form to secure a 4-1 victory on the road today thanks to goals from Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and a double from Kyogo.
The first chance of the match fell the way of the Hoops when, in the eighth minute, a ball from Arne Engels cut through the Ross County defence and reached Kyogo.
The Japanese striker used his quick footwork to fashion a shooting opportunity, and although his shot was blocked, the rebound reached Adam Idah who was unfortunate to hit the side netting with his effort on goal.
A few moments later, Alistair Johnston had an effort on goal saved after a dangerous ball in to the box from Idah, as the Celts began to find their rhythm in the game.
However, against the run of play, the hosts squandered a massive opportunity to make it 1-0 with 16 minutes played after a mistake from Auston Trusty led to Noah Chilvers having a strike at goal but his effort went wide of the post.
That chance seemed to give Ross County confidence that they could trouble the Celts, and they began to put pressure on Celtic’s midfield as they hunted for the ball and the chance to create more openings.
In truth, Ross County’s willingness to get forward and attack the Hoops’ backline made for a more entertaining match than if they had sat back and waited to be picked off.
A half chance fell the way of Engels with 30 minutes played when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box. Given his recent form, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if his shot had sailed in to the top corner, but on this occasion, it drifted just over the bar.
Seven minutes later, Kyogo had a massive chance to give the Celts the lead from a few yards out but Jordan Amissah, the Ross County keeper, made two impressive blocks to prevent the goal.
However, with his next chance, Kyogo made no mistake. In the 40th minute, Johnston whipped a brilliant ball in behind the County defence and the Japanese striker only had to turn it towards goal from inside the six-yard box to give the champions a first-half lead, which he duly did.
22%
Possession
78%
6
Shots
27
1
Shots On Target
13
6
Corners
7
6
Fouls
5
3
0
Cards
0
0
Early in the second half, Yang found himself with a shooting opportunity after a lovely passing move from the Celts which went from back to front, but Amissah made a strong stop at his near post to deny the winger.
With 60 minutes played, the hosts equalised after they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kieran Phillips in the area. Jordan White, who has been in good goalscoring form for Ross County this season, converted from the spot to level the game.
With 15 minutes left, Brendan Rodgers introduced Johnny Kenny to the match from the bench and immediately he was involved in a move which almost led to a goal for the Hoops, with Alex Valle’s effort from distance drawing a great save from the Ross County keeper.
Kenny then found himself with a scoring opportunity from six yards out, but, under pressure from the county defence, he was unable to make a clean connection with the ball and the keeper was able to gather.
The champions regained the lead with 10 minutes of the match remaining and once again it was Kyogo who was the difference maker for the Celts.
An excellent cross from Engels evaded the hosts’ defence and reached Kyogo who bulleted a header towards goal which not even a strong hand from Amissah could prevent from reaching the top corner.
With two minutes of the match remaining, Celtic had a massive shout for a penalty after Yang was bundled to the ground by James Brown as he tried to connect with a great searching ball that had been sent in by Kyogo.
The referee initially deemed there to be nothing wrong with the challenge, but after what seemed like an eternity he was sent to the VAR monitor and eventually awarded the Celts the penalty.
Engels stepped up to the spot and sent the ball to the keeper’s left, but the effort was saved by Amissah.
However, the penalty was retaken after VAR spotted that the goalkeeper had moved off of his line, and, opting to go to the opposite corner with his second attempt, Engels found the back of the net and secured the three points for the Celts.
Luke McCowan then added gloss to the victory by adding a fourth in the 98th minute after another excellent passing move from the Hoops, with the final pass to McCowan coming from Kenny.
Brendan Rodgers and his men will now begin their preparations for visiting Dundee at Dens Park on Tuesday.
Ross County: Amissah, Wright, Lopata (Grieves 53′), Campbell, Brown, Chilvers, Randall (Loturi 85′), Kenneh (White 45′), Harmon, Nisbet (Allardice 85′), Hale (Phillips 45′)
Subs: Lamie, Allardice, Loturi, Phillips, Grieves, Telfer, Hamilton, White, Josh Reid
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle (Scales 85′), McGregor, Kyogo, Engels, Hatate (McCowan 73′), Hyunjun Yang, Idah (Kenny 73′)
Subs: Taylor, Scales, Sinisalo, McCowan, Kenny, Paulo Bernardo, Montgomery, Cummings, Ralston
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cn9g0jv0v8et
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Brendan Rodgers hailed Celtic’s “mentality and resilience” after they survived a scare at Ross County to stretch their lead at the Scottish Premiership summit to 18 points.
Kyogo Furuhashi put Celtic in front just before the break but Jordan White’s penalty levelled for the hosts early in the second period.
With time running out, Kyogo added his second to nudge Celtic back in front before a retaken Arne Engels penalty in stoppage time and Luke McCowan’s strike added gloss to the scoreline.
“We dominated the first half and should have been more than one goal ahead,” manager Rodgers said.
“When they scored and pulled it back we showed that mentality the team have. That resilience we have as a team, it’s about finding a way to keep going.
“I thought the players were fantastic in cold, cold conditions. Today is about mentality and commitment. I’m just delighted for the three points.”
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Both sides had their chances in the first half and there were screams for a penalty from Celtic when Reo Hatate went down in the County box under pressure from Eli Campbell, but play was waved on and the video assistant referee (VAR) was happy to let the action continue.
Kyogo fired Celtic into the lead minutes after missing a gilt-edged chance as he poked in a lovely cross from right-back Alistair Johnston.
The Japan forward was flying as the half drew to a close, forcing County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah into an incredible save.
Johnston’s foul on County debutant Kieran Phillips gifted the hosts a second-half penalty, which was dispatched by White for the equaliser.
Furuhashi fired a bullet header at Amissah who, despite getting a hand to it, could not keep the ball out of the net as Celtic regained the lead in the closing stages.
Engels’ penalty – awarded following a VAR review of James Brown’s challenge on Hyun-Jun Yang – was saved by Amissah before the spot-kick was retaken because the County keeper had strayed well off his line.
Engels stepped up again and fired into the opposite corner, then McCowan made it 4-1 when he popped the ball into the bottom corner.
County can take confidence despite defeat
The 4-1 scoreline does not do justice to the performance Don Cowie’s side put in for 80 minutes. The late drama in Dingwall cancelled out the good work County did up until Celtic’s second goal.
Amissah will deservedly get plaudits for his performance. Celtic ended the game with almost 80% possession and despite several clear-cut opportunities in the first 45 minutes, County made it to the break just a goal down thanks to a few cracking saves from Amissah.
Cowie’s shift to a 4-4-2 formation in the second period caused problems for Celtic, particularly in the difficult conditions, and White’s penalty got them rightfully level.
It took until late on for Celtic to get back in front and then they really kicked into gear. This game will not define County’s season, but the display for much of the 100-plus minutes can give Cowie’s side confidence,
Celtic craft champions performance
Celtic did what champions do best and, despite being under the cosh for much of the second half, they found a way to win – and win comfortably – even playing with only one fit winger in the starting XI.
Kyogo, despite being deployed out wide, looked back to his scoring best as he turned in two goals while Engels’ willingness to retake the penalty sums up the confidence Rodgers’ side are playing with.
Celtic are now a huge 18 points clear at the top, before Rangers take on rock-bottom St Johnstone on Sunday, and are not showing any signs of easing off despite a hectic domestic and European schedule.
What they said
Media caption,
Celtic penalty award ‘harsh’ – Cowie
Ross County manager Don Cowie: “Always disappointed to lose the game but I’m seeing improvements in terms of the team we’ve got.
“It’s now about putting this to bed and getting ready for the cup next week.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “That resilience we have as a team, it’s about finding a way to keep going.
“I thought the players were fantastic in cold, cold conditions. Today is about mentality and commitment. I’m just delighted for the three points.”