2023-04-02: Ross County 0-2 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023

Trivia

  • KO: 12pm, Sunday; League Match 30
  • Return after the international break! Scotland defeated Cyprus and top seeds Spain. On loan Mikey Johnstone makes debut for Ireland with a fine performance.
  • Celtic on 74pts, 9 pts ahead of Sevco, with Celtic also having a 27+ GD advantage ahead of Sevco too.
  • Host of injuries from intls: Maeda, Haksa & Abada. Forrest still out injured too.
  • Bernabei scored his debut goal. A scorcher in extra time, with Celtic fans serenading in reply with chants of “Argentina Argentina”, and celebrated with some references to the recent birth of his first child.
    Bizarrely, his goal for sparked a social media row between Argentinian government minister Guillermo Carmona and former UK ambassador to Argentina Mark Kent over the Falklands (see article at end of page). Unnecessary from either to heap this on Bernabei!
  • Tomoki Iwata was given his first start and confidently sprayed passes about as if he was a regular, and was the key player on the day.
  • Ex-Celt John Hewitt recovering following a recent heart attack. We wish him all the best.
  • In the women’s Glasgow derby – Celtic Womens Team equalised at the death (98th min) for a 1-1 draw – Celtic’s coach Fran Alonso was headbutted from behind by a Sevco coach! It was all live on Sky Sports TV. Police involved.
  • Ex Celt Barry Robson to continue as manager of Aberdeen for the remainder of the season
  • VAR: SFA considering using specialist video assistant referees as one of several options as VAR is a shambles! Currently officials switch between refereeing matches and taking a stint as a VAR at Clydesdale House in Glasgow.
  • Report: Brighton want to sign Reo Hatate.
  • Report: Abada “wants” to leave this summer and already rejected a new deal, acc to Avi Luzon, president of Maccabi Petah Tikva (Abada’s former club). £10m move to Southampton reported.
  • Report: Celtic on course for forecasted record-breaking revenue of £112m for current financial year.
  • David Tanner formerly sky sports on twitter: “Celtic had not conceded a penalty before the introduction of VAR but have lost seven since October. Here’s what that ACTUALLY means:Being a big club, Celtic got away with a lot as refs were influenced by crowds & pressure via the media.7 fouls = 7 pens.VAR is a leveller.” How come Sevco’s haven’t conceded one in the the league for over a year? Blows Tanner’s argument out the window and proves what market he is pandering to for work.
  • Ex Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers sacked from Leicester job as they slip back into relegation zone. He’s backed for Spurs vacancy. Ten games left, 11th manager sacked so far in EPL this season.
  • SPFL has no plans to change the fixtures on  weekend of the Royal Coronation – meaning Celtic could clinch league title on the same day, 6 May.
  • Boxing: Former Undisputed Lightweight champion, Ken Buchanan, has sadly passed away aged 77. RIP
  • Politics: Humza Yousaf elected new SNP leader; and becomes new First Minister of Scotland. He’s also a Celtic fan.

Summary

Italiabhoy of KDS:

That is one of those games, where, if you watch it back now, you’d think it was pretty comfortable because we were never under any real threat. But it was an uncomfortable watch at the time and must go down as one of our worst performances of the season. Certainly, a major injection of energy and precision will be needed for next week.

The obvious point first: we struggle big time without either Mooy or Hatate. Iwata did ok, mostly, but O’Riley was absolutely diabolical – not for the first time this season. He looked exhausted, slow in thought, and just horribly wasteful. Starfelt also had a shaky match and Bernabei – despite his excellent goal – was really poor defensively when he came on.

Jota and Maeda showed up in flashes only, Kyogo was anonymous (horrible miss by him…) and only Johnson and CCV looked up for a fight.

MB 08 of KDS:

First 30 minutes was poor against a team who had obviously trained for two weeks on a plan to negate our inverted fullbacks. To be fair it worked well. Johhnston was the only one who got pass marks in that period.

Once Taylor started finding some space further up the game changed and we should really have been ahead before the penalty. How anyone can say that isn’t a penalty under the current VAR chaos is at it. Whether it should be a penalty for accidental hand ball for a ball going nowhere is a different debate.

Only one team doesn’t get that against them. This of course is the real story that none of the billy big balls in the media are actually brave enough to say. If that is Goldson it is not given as we have seen over and over again. Sky cutting off Mackay mid rant was both crass from them and funny.

Second half was decent going forward while being really scrappy at the back. Kyogo looked a bit off his normal sharpness, not sure why he didn’t shoot in the first half instead of turning back inside and the one in the second half was an incredible miss.

The most impressed i have been with Oh, a goal at the end would have been deserved. Looked as strong as an ox and sharp as a tack. He is looking like another star.

Definitely missing Hatate and Mooy. O’Riley’s dip is now more than that, hopefully a decent close season lets him reset.

Subs were maybe a bit late but were all decent again and lifted us. Delighted for Bernabei he gives 100% and going forward is a great asset at the end of tight games.

We have done all we could do to set ourselves up for what would be to all intents and purposes a title party next week should we win.

Etims:

Poor for large parts of the game until space opened up in the final quarter of the match. Stonewall pen just on HT. Kyogo missed a sitter. Stunning from from Bernie to guarantee points. Some weeks you have to grind out the wins and it was one of those day Subs all played well when they came on, as is the case most weeks. Bernie and Hakerdakers linked really well down the left. I thought Oh was excellent. Strong as an Ox and excellent touch/awareness.

Twitter:

Inside The SPFL@AgentScotland: He might have absolutely zero defensive instincts at all but Bernabei can definitely hit a baw.

Hun-Occhio @Hun_Occhio · 4h Replying to @Football_Scot Have you ever seen such rage at a penalty being correctly awarded? Madness

Hullbhoy: Celtic fans belting out ‘Argentina’ for Bernabei at the end. Nice.

Teams

Celtic

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Hart
  • 2Johnston
  • 20Carter-Vickers
  • 4Starfelt
  • 3Taylor
  • Substituted forBernabeiat 65′minutes
  • 33O’Riley
  • Substituted forTurnbullat 75′minutes
  • 42McGregor
  • 24Iwata
  • 17Neves Filipe
  • Substituted forVataat 90+6′minutes
  • 8Furuhashi
  • Substituted forOhat 75′minutes
  • 38Maeda
  • Substituted forHaksabanovicat 75′minutes

Substitutes

  • 9Haksabanovic
  • 14Turnbull
  • 18Kobayashi
  • 19Oh
  • 25Bernabei
  • 29Bain
  • 53Summers
  • 57Welsh
  • 69Vata

Goals:

  • Neves Filipe (45’+5 minutes pen), 
  • Bernabei (90’+5 minutes)

Assists:

  • Neves Filipe (90’+5 minutes)

Ross County

Formation 4-4-1-1

  • 1Laidlaw
  • 2Randall
  • 30Smith
  • 6Iacovitti
  • 16Harmon
  • 4Cancola
  • Substituted forEdwardsat 74′minutes
  • 14Loturi Substituted forCallachanat 84′minutes Substituted out at 88′minutes
  • 42Kenneh
  • 29Edwards
  • Substituted forSimsat 56′minutes
  • 27Brophy
  • Substituted forMurrayat 74′minutes
  • 26White

Substitutes

  • 7Edwards
  • 8Callachan
  • 11Sims
  • 15Watson
  • 17Murray
  • 19Hiwula-Mayifuila
  • 21Munro
  • 25Samuel
  • 49Stones

 

Goals:
Assists:

Referee:William Collum
Attendance:6,690

Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Ross County
Celtic
Possession
Home26%
Away74%
Shots
Home8
Away28
Shots on Target
Home2
Away9
Corners
Home2
Away9
Fouls
Home7
Away6

Articles

Celtic will need to show more against Rangers as their usual pizazz deserts them in Dingwall despite routine win

Celtic aren’t counting up the wins now so much as counting them down.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 2nd Apr 2023, 17:10 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2023, 17:10 BST
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-will-need-to-show-more-against-rangers-as-their-usual-pizazz-deserts-them-in-dingwall-despite-routine-win-4089336

The latest victory secured by Ange Postecoglou’s men in the form of a 2-0 success over Ross County at Dingwall could be filed under “largely unremarkable”, even if his Highland counterpart Malky Mackay would demure as a consequence of Celtic’s first goal – in added time of the first period – arriving via a penalty conversion by Jota following VAR spotting a Alex Iacovitti handball.

In truth, though, debate over the award seemed on the confected side in view of the rules that are applied to handball incidents in the box. A ripper of a 95th-minute strike from Alexandro Bernabei could be claimed to have rendered the award academic and, ultimately, the context on the afternoon’s events was provided by where it leaves Celtic with potentially 10 games still to play. That is upshot of them effectively requiring only to win five of these to annex the club a fifth treble in seven years, a total predicated on three victories being achieved in the derbies to come against Rangers, the first of these rolling round next Saturday in the east end of Glasgow.

This confrontation between the ancient adversaries provides Postecoglou’s men with the opportunity to extend their lead in the cinch Premiership to 12 points with 18 then remaining. If the post-split fixture between the bitter rivals at Ibrox were also to go their way, then only one more win would put them arithmetically out of reach. In between these titanic tussles, the pair will slug it out in the Scottish Cup semi-final of the Scottish Cup. Game four of the only five that Celtic require to prevail in order to take their clean sweep ambitions all the way to the showpiece of the competition at Hampden on June 3.
Celtic were awarded a penalty after Ross County captain Alex Iacovitti handled the ball in the box under pressure from Cameron Carter-Vickers
Celtic were awarded a penalty after Ross County captain Alex Iacovitti handled the ball in the box under pressure from Cameron Carter-Vickers

Postecoglou presented himself as quietly content with events in the Highlands, an afternoon wherein Tomoki Iwata gave an accomplished display as he was handed his first start at the base of Celtic’s midfield. It was a move that resulted in Callum McGregor operating in a more advanced role, with Aaron Mooy and Reo Hatate sidelined by injury. Yet, there was little in the way of the expected fluency from the champions-elect in their first action following a 15-day hiatus necessitated by the international break.

Against an obdurate home team – a side that belied their lowly status of only two points to the good of basement club Dundee United – Celtic struggled to produce their usual pizazz. Postecoglou appeared to be pushing it in attributing a curiously passive approach for much of the first period to pitfalls to be found in the “conditions”. Well, that and Greg Taylor – forced off with a dead leg around the hour mark – clipping the outside of the post with a vicious drive after 43 minutes, and Jota scooping an effort on to the bar in the final minute of the 90. In between times, Kyogo Furuhashi missed an absolute pinch when he steered wide with the goal at his mercy.

“It was a good challenge,” said Postecoglou. “The conditions and the way Ross County play, we knew it wouldn’t be an easy afternoon. There wasn’t a lot of space to play for the most part but we still had discipline and focus within the structure. We were wasteful in front of goal and that keeps them in the game. It’s then edgier than it should be but overall the lads handled it OK. With the conditions the way they were it isn’t going to be a free flowing game of football. But aside from the football, there was steel and character in the group to get the job done.”

The home side had that in spades too, not least in 16-year-old centre-back Dylan Smith. The Scotland under-17 international suggested he could be one mighty prospect with how he marshalled the country’s most devastating attack on his full debut.

Mackay’s despair over VAR’s input was perhaps related to a sense of injustice over how it played a hefty role in ensuring his players’ commendable efforts ended up counting for nowt. But when Matt O’Riley sent over a corner and it scraped Iacovitti’s fully extended arm as the County captain jumped with Cameron Carter-Vickers, it was the sort of incident that the technology is in place to pick up. The official in front of the television screens, Steven Kirkland, duly did so in communicating to Willie Collum to take a look himself. In turn, the referee had not qualms about pointing to the spot following a quick review, Jota meting out full punishment in thumping the resultant penalty down the middle.

An uninvolving spectacle, for the most part, didn’t produce a moment genuinely to savour until the fifth minute of eight that were added had almost elapsed. Then, the ball broke to Bernabei, a replacement for Taylor, on the edge of the area and he absolutely creamed it into the top corner. The 22-year-old could be forgiven for milking the moment of his first goal, his joy unbridled as he really lapped up the acclaim of the travelling support stationed behind the net that he almost yanked from its mooring with his almighty biff. Frankly, the Argentine hasn’t had that many to treasure since his £3.75million move from Lanus last summer. Pacey and direct but headstrong both positionally and with his passing, he has struggled to appear at one in Postecoglou’s possession-based system. The Celtic manager didn’t sidestep the suggestion the goal – which made certain of a 15th straight win, and a 28th victory of a 29-game domestic unbeaten run – could provide the player with a much needed fillip.

“It was good from Berno,” he said. “We know he has it in his locker because we see it in training. Hopefully it gives him confidence and belief. He’s still learning and getting up to speed with the way we play which isn’t easy. He works hard every day and has got his reward. We had guys getting on making an impact [with all the substitutions], which is what we ask for.”

In truth, though, Postecoglou will be asking for more from his Celtic team when Rangers come calling next weekend than they offered against County.

Ange Postecoglou purrs over one Celtic standout and says his ‘inkling’ is paying off

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou lavished praise on full debutant Tomoki Iwata as he reflected on his side moving a step closer to retaining their Premiership crown with a 2-0 success against Ross County in Dingwall.

Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 2nd Apr 2023, 15:42 BST
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ange-postecoglou-purrs-over-one-celtic-standout-and-says-his-inkling-is-paying-off-4089297

The Japanese holding midfielder was handed his first start following his January move from Yokahama F Marinos and the Australian considered that the 25-year-old’s assured display on what he regarded as an unhelpful pitch set him apart from any of those in the visiting ranks. “He was great,” the Celtic manager said. “He was the one who looked most sure-footed in terms of the pitch and the handling of the ball. He’s so clean technically. He really helped us considering it was his first 90 minutes after three months. He finished strongly at the end. I was really pleased I got him out and he showed his qualities out there.”

Postecoglou is confident Iwata will “get the benefit” of being deliberately eased in – the player only had 124 minutes under his belt before his full 90 in Dingwall – through learning from the experiences of Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate previously. Fellow transfer window arrivals Oh Hyeon-gyu and Yuki Kobayashi finding themselves in a similar position.

“Last year we found, after they [Maeda and Hatate] were thrown in quite early, they started strongly but fatigued towards the end of the season,” Postecoglou said. “[In coming to Scotland in January from the J-League and K-League] they come off a full season, so it’s a different feel for them at this stage of the season. So my inkling, if it worked out, was to have the three of them embedded slowly and give them opportunities along the way. The hope is in the last bit of the season they will be really strong. We will see the best of them after they’ve had a pre-season but after looking at it today, he [Iwata] looked really strong.”

Seething Malky Mackay slams Celtic penalty decision – ‘it’s incredible that’s where the VAR is set right now’

Ross County manager Malky Mackay lambasted VAR’s interpretation of the handball rule following his side’s 2-0 defeat at home to Celtic and claimed it could end up costing livelihoods.

Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 2nd Apr 2023, 15:14 BST
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/seething-malky-mackay-slams-celtic-penalty-decision-its-incredible-thats-where-the-var-is-set-right-now-4089281

In a diatribe prompted by Alex Iacovitti being penalised for the ball striking his outstretched arm in added time of the first period – which allowed Jota to put the visitors 1-0 up from the spot – he described Scottish football’s “bar” for such incidents “incredible” compared with English officials’ ajudicating in similar circumstances.

Mackay appeared enraged on two counts. First, by the fact that Steven Kirkland, manning the technology, instructed referee Willie Collum to consult the pitchside monitor after the ball struck the arm of Ross County captain as he challenged Cameron Carter-Vickers at a corner delivered by Matt O’Riley, and secondly at the swift decision made by Collum to point to the spot once he had reviewed the footage.

“I’ve looked at the penalty about half a dozen times and I cannot believe that’s where the bar is set with VAR right now,” said the Highland club’s manager, whose side remain second bottom of the cinch Premiership. “Two players go for the ball bravely with their heads. Carter-Vickers and Alex Iacovitti both throw their heads at it and the ball goes between their heads and it hits Alex on the back of his arm.

“It’s ball to arm. Someone is going to have to explain to me how you jump for a ball in the box and have your arms at your side. Physically, it can’t happen. I’m looking at where the bar is set in England and where it’s set in Scotland and right now we’re not where they are.

“Clubs are paying for this. I look at standards right now and there are mistakes all over the place. It’s costing. It’s going to cost jobs, it’s going to cost clubs promotion, relegation, Europe, whatever you want to call it. I was really disappointed with that, intervening like that.”

Mackay had headed for the dressing room with the first period preparing to conclude when he was aghast at being forced to turn heel over the VAR check. “The fourth official [Mike Roncone] had told me we were now over time so I was standing at the back of the tunnel. I could see the referee start to debate and discuss and then come over to the monitor. I thought, ‘surely not’.

“I spoke to him [Collum] at half-time and he said it was the laws of the game and he has to give a penalty for the laws of the game. It’s an interesting concept. I was surprised at how quickly he made the decision because you will see it tonight and you will see pundits debate it all week. It’s incredible that’s where the VAR is set right now.”
VARMalky MackayRoss CountyEngland

Celtic penalty debate as two pundits give unanimous verdict and former Rangers striker left ‘bemused’ by VAR

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-penalty-debate-as-two-pundits-give-unanimous-verdict-and-former-rangers-striker-left-bemused-by-var-4089189
Two Sky Sports pundits believe the right decision was made in awarding Celtic a penalty via VAR during the cinch Premiership match away at Ross County on Sunday.
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
Published 2nd Apr 2023, 13:04 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2023, 13:04 BST
Referee Willie Collum awards a penalty to Celtic after checking the VAR monitor during the match against Ross County.
Referee Willie Collum awards a penalty to Celtic after checking the VAR monitor during the match against Ross County.

Celtic were awarded a penalty right on the stroke of half time after County captain Alex Iacovitti was deemed to have handled the ball when challenging Cameron Carter-Vickers. Referee Willie Collum was advised to check the touchline monitor by VAR official Steven Kirkland and pointed to the spot thereafter, with Jota converting the kick to put the league leaders ahead at the break.

“It is a penalty,” said Stilyan Petrov, an ex-Celtic midfielder. “It is an unnatural position. Cameron knew straight away it was a penalty.” His opinion was echoed by James McFadden during the half-time break. “You can’t have your arm up like that. There might be an argument about whether it’s a natural or an unnatural position. It’s what VAR was brought in for.”

Kris Boyd was not as convinced and said there are too many inconsistencies with VAR, citing the decision not to penalise St Johnstone’s Andy Considine two weeks ago for what looked like a clear handball. “I’m just bemused, there’s inconsistencies,” said the former Rangers and Kilmarnock striker. “You don’t know what you are going to get. I’m glad I’m not a manager, it must be really frustrating.”

BBC
By Clive LindsayBBC Sport Scotland

Last updated on

3 hours ago3 hours ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alex Iacovitti challenge for a header
Celtic were awarded a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Alex Iacovitti (right) as he challenged Cameron Carter-Vickers

Celtic restored their nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership by overcoming lively Ross County.

County survived a first half of Celtic dominance until Alex Iacovitti handled moments before the break and Jota scored from the penalty spot.

That forced Malky Mackay’s side to attack in a second 45 minutes during which both sides had chances.

With County down to 10 men following a Ross Callachan injury, Alexandro Bernabei fired a late settler.

It means Ange Postecoglou’s side head into Saturday’s derby at home to second-placed Rangers with 15 consecutive victories since the Glasgow rivals drew at Ibrox at the start of January.

An eighth consecutive defeat at the hands of Celtic leaves County second bottom, four points adrift of Kilmarnock.

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Reaction & as it happened

Both managers handed surprise first starts to otherwise settled sides and, with captain Keith Watson only ruled fit enough for the bench, Mackay drafted 16-year-old Dylan Smith into the middle of defence.

It was no surprise that the tall teenager, fresh from Scotland Under-17 duty, was quickly at the heart of action as Celtic assumed their expected domination of possession.

As Smith displayed an assurance beyond his years, Tomoki Iwata was controlling play in his direction after the on-loan Yokohama F Marinos midfielder was brought in to replace injured fellow Japan international Reo Hatate and with captain Callum McGregor pushed further forward.

The expected Celtic onslaught failed to materialise and, although a blistering Greg Taylor drive struck the outside of the far post, it was not until a moment of County misfortune that the breakthrough came.

With Mackay already heading down the tunnel expecting to deliver a satisfied half-time team talk, referee Willie Collum was told to check a handball by Iacovitti as he challenged rival centre-half Carter-Vickers.

Jota dispatched the resulting spot kick powerfully down the middle to change the tone in both dressing rooms.

Whatever was said transformed the game into an end-to-end affair, with on-loan Wigan Athletic midfielder Gwion Edwards firing a low drive just wide as the home side at last offered an attacking threat, before Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart had to claw away a George Harmon header.

Kyogo Furuhashi shot wide with only Ross Laidlaw to beat, then the hosts’ goalkeeper produced a fine double save to deny replacement striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, who also missed the target, while a Jota strike hit the underside of the bar.

However, it was not until Bernabei’s thunderbolt found the net deep into stoppage time that Celtic fans could breathe easily.
Player of the match – Tomoki Iwata (Celtic)
Celtic’s Tomoki Iwata and Ross County’s Eamonn Brophy
Midfielder Tomoki Iwata (left) was given his first Celtic start and confidently sprayed passes about as if he was a regular
County bravery almost pays off – analysis

County had conceded 20 goals in their previous seven straight defeats by Celtic, so it was no surprise Mackay opted initially for a conservative approach as his side looked to secure their first win over the champions since February 2021.

It was a brave move to start teenager Smith at the heart of defence and, bar a few moments where his inexperience showed in a thrilling finish, he justified his manager’s confidence in his ability.

Mackay was similarly bold in throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser – and it almost paid off despite having to finish the game a man down – but the bottom line is his side have lost ground in the relegation play-off spot after Kilmarnock’s Saturday win over Heart of Midlothian.

Postecoglou will just be pleased to have survived one of his side’s most stern domestic tests this season and to have once again responded to a Rangers win the day before.

Iwata will face stronger opposition, but he showed that the Celtic boss has another quality option in a midfield already brimming with talent.

However, Postecoglou will also know that their finishing and deliveries into the penalty box will need to be more accurate against their title rivals at Celtic Park.
What they said

Ross County manager Malky Mackay: “I’ve watched it half a dozen times and I still can’t quite believe the bar for VAR in Scotland is so low. I look at that in England and that’s not being given.

“It’s really disappointing that that then meant we were chasing the game, which we had to do in the second half. I’m so proud of the players and, if we play like that in the last eight games, we’ll give anyone a game and get points on the board.”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “It was a challenging game. We knew it would be.

“They make it awfully hard to play in any kind of space. We had to stick at it and I think we did. Maybe we were a bit wasteful, but overall a great mentality from the lads to get the job done.”

Match ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 2.
90’+9′
Full Time

Second Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 2.
90’+6′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Rocco Vata replaces Jota.
90’+5′
Goal!

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 2. Alexandro Bernabei (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Jota.
90’+4′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Josh Sims.
90’+3′
Post update

Attempt saved. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
90’+2′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by George Harmon.
90’+1′
Post update

Attempt missed. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
90’+1′
Post update

Jota (Celtic) hits the bar with a left footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Tomoki Iwata.
90′
Post update

Attempt saved. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
88′
Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
88′
Post update

Ross Callachan went off injured after Ross County had used all subs.
87′
Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Ross Callachan (Ross County).
86′
Post update

Foul by Alexandro Bernabei (Celtic).
86′
Post update

Connor Randall (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85′
Post update

Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
84′
Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Ross Callachan replaces Victor Loturi.
82′
Post update

Attempt missed. Josh Sims (Ross County) header from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Owura Edwards with a cross.
79′
Post update

Attempt missed. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Joe Hart.
76′
Post update

Attempt saved. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

76′
Post update

Attempt saved. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
76′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alexandro Bernabei.
75′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Matt O’Riley.
75′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Sead Haksabanovic replaces Daizen Maeda.
75′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
74′
Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Simon Murray replaces Eamonn Brophy.
74′
Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Owura Edwards replaces David Cancola.
70′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dylan Smith.
68′
Post update

Attempt missed. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross following a corner.
68′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by George Harmon.
68′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
65′
Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
65′
Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Alexandro Bernabei replaces Greg Taylor because of an injury.
64′
Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Greg Taylor (Celtic).
63′
Post update

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
62′
Post update

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Daizen Maeda.
61′
Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
61′
Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Greg Taylor (Celtic).
60′
Post update

Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
60′
Post update

Connor Randall (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
59′
Post update

Attempt missed. Josh Sims (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by George Harmon.
59′
Post update

Alistair Johnston (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
59′
Post update

Foul by Josh Sims (Ross County).
58′
Post update

Attempt missed. Tomoki Iwata (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
57′
Post update

Attempt saved. George Harmon (Ross County) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Josh Sims with a cross.
56′
Post update

Delay over. They are ready to continue.
56′
Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Josh Sims replaces Gwion Edwards because of an injury.
55′
Post update

Delay in match because of an injury Gwion Edwards (Ross County).
54′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.
54′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi with a through ball.
53′
Post update

Offside, Celtic. Joe Hart tries a through ball, but Jota is caught offside.
52′
Post update

Attempt missed. Gwion Edwards (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan White.
51′
Post update

Attempt missed. Eamonn Brophy (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.
50′
Post update

Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
50′
Post update

Gwion Edwards (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
49′
Post update

Attempt missed. Dylan Smith (Ross County) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by George Harmon with a cross following a corner.
48′
Post update

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Carl Starfelt.
47′
Post update

Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
Second Half

Second Half begins Ross County 0, Celtic 1.
45’+5′
Half Time

First Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 1.

45’+5′
Post update

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 1. Jota (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
45’+3′
Post update

VAR Decision: Penalty Celtic.
45’+2′
Post update

Penalty conceded by Alex Iacovitti (Ross County) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
45’+2′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a cross.
45’+1′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Connor Randall.
45’+1′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
45′
Post update

Attempt saved. Greg Taylor (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Daizen Maeda.
42′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
41′
Post update

Attempt missed. Victor Loturi (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by David Cancola.
40′
Post update

Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
39′
Post update

Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
39′
Post update

Foul by Connor Randall (Ross County).
38′
Post update

Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
34′
Post update

Offside, Celtic. Alistair Johnston tries a through ball, but Jota is caught offside.
33′
Post update

Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
33′
Post update

Victor Loturi (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Dylan Smith.
31′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
29′
Post update

Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
29′
Post update

Gwion Edwards (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

27′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Victor Loturi.
26′
Post update

Attempt blocked. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jota.
25′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25′
Post update

Foul by Jordan White (Ross County).
24′
Post update

Attempt saved. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
23′
Post update

Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Tomoki Iwata.
20′
Post update

Offside, Ross County. Victor Loturi tries a through ball, but Eamonn Brophy is caught offside.
19′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
19′
Post update

Foul by David Cancola (Ross County).
17′
Post update

Foul by Tomoki Iwata (Celtic).
17′
Post update

Gwion Edwards (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12′
Post update

Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12′
Post update

Foul by Jordan White (Ross County).
11′
Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Connor Randall.
10′
Post update

Attempt missed. Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Alistair Johnston with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
10′
Post update

Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
10′
Post update

Foul by Connor Randall (Ross County).
8′
Post update

Attempt saved. Gwion Edwards (Ross County) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is saved in the bottom left corner.
2′
Post update

Offside, Celtic. Cameron Carter-Vickers tries a through ball, but Daizen Maeda is caught offside.
Kick Off

First Half begins.

Celtic ace Alexandro Bernabei caught up in bizarre international row
4th April
https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23433212.celtic-ace-alexandro-bernabei-caught-bizarre-international-row/

Celtic star Alexandro Bernabei has been unwittingly caught up in a bizarre international row between an Argentinian government minister and a British diplomat about the Falkland Islands.

The full-back became the first-ever Argentinian to score for Celtic when he netted a stunner for the Hoops in injury time at Ross County in a 2-0 win.

The news created headlines in the South American country with the 22-year-old who signed in a £3.75 million move from Lanus last year being widely praised.

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He was hailed by Argentinian government minister Guillermo Carmona, who is the Secretary of Malvinas Affairs in the Argentine Foreign Ministry.

In 1982, Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands – Islas Malvinas in Spanish – and the UK launched a naval task force that eventually secured victory after 74 days.

Last month though, Argentina pulled out of a deal with the UK about the Falklands’ sovereignty and demanded new talks as tensions escalated.

Argentinian minister Carmona went onto social media to praise Bernabei’s goal and was particularly impressed Celtic fans chanted ‘Argentina’ after the goal.

He stated: “What an emotion I feel to hear “Argentina, Argentina’ in Scotland chanted by fans. Our compatriot Alexandro Bernabei, a Celtic player, made it possible with a magnificent goal.

“And what else to say it on an occasion like this except the Falkland Islands are Argentine.”

READ MORE: Celtic hero Chris Sutton blasts Rangers over ‘petty’ away fan ban

However, that drew an outraged response from Mark Kent, who was the UK ambassador to Argentina until last year, who warned him: “Don’t mix sport with politics.

“In the UK and in Scotland we love the Argentine players and we show our appreciation. We honour Falklands veterans on both sides, You are a shameless populist politician.”

But that prompted a furious reply from the Argentinian government official, who responded: “When your country respects international law, sits at the negotiating table to comply with UN resolutions and ends the shame of colonialism, I may even consider your sports advice.

“If you think that I am a “populist politician” for linking football with the Malvinas, know this – the absolute majority of Argentines do that.”