Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 12:00 Sunday; Sky Sports TV, League Match 7
- Back to the league after disaster in Europe in midweek.
- Celtic remain on top with 21 pts 7/7 wins +21GD; Aberdeen win 3-2 to be joint top (albeit second on GD +9GD). Next league game the two sides meet.
- Valle making his debut start.
- Schmeichel concedes his first league goal for Celtic, and now loses on on breaking record of first seven league goals without conceding (he holds joint record with Tom Sinclair).
- Cameron Carter-Vickers & Greg Taylor ruled out due to injuries.
- Aberdeen v Hearts today was sold out which is great to see for the Scottish game. Sevco game at 8pm (Sunday) due to Great Scottish Run earlier in the day! They won 2-0.
- International Week next weekend (again!).
- Inverness CT release notice of their perilous financial state, and proposed setting up a Crowdfunding page to raise £200,000 in two weeks to avoid being placed in administration this month.
- Luis Palma has told Brendan Rodgers he is determined to stay and fight for a starting place, taking a break from social media after fan criticism following his only start of the season so far being against Falkirk. (El Heraldo). Rumours that Palma will be off to the MLS, with DC United very impressed with him during the summer tour so keen to buy in the next transfer window.
- Report: Hammarby winger Bazoumana Toure has welcomed interest from around Europe as reports in Sweden suggest Celtic are leading the race to sign the £8.3m-rated 18-year-old.
- Report: Royal Antwerp chief executive Sven Jaecques admits that they might be forced to sell forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has been linked with Celtic.
- Arne Engels says his summer move from Augsburg is “everything I hoped for”.
- Liam Shaw, who spent last season on loan at Wigan from Celtic, has permanently signed for English League Two side Fleetwood Town on a one-year deal.
- Talk of new Adidas deal and it could be very lucrative for Celtic! Another report states that along with AS Roma and Newcastle United, Celtic will also become an Adidas elite team from the 25-26 season. This means Celtic will receive authentic kits (Heat.Dry technology) and the Trefoil logo on their third shirt.Like AS Roma, Celtic’s current tier is B Premium. Celtic will be promoted by Adidas to the A tier, making them an elite club from the 25-26 season.
- Egan Construction LTD is the new sponsor of @FoundationCFC’s Sensory Room at Celtic Park A purpose built facility which offers a full match day experience for children, young people, and adults with sensory needs.
- Celtic Womens’ team: Fran Alonso and American side Houston Dash have parted company, just ten months after the former Celtic FC Women manager left Celtic to take the manager’s job at the National Women’s Soccer League side.
- Celtic’s Women team: Drew 2-2 with Sevco counterparts in midweek coming from 2-0 down.
- Loanees: Admira Wacker beat SV Stripfing 2-0. Ben Summers – on his debut – opened the scoring 16 minutes in, with Matthew Anderson doubling the lead from full-back not long after. Out on Loan Alexandro Bernabei played the full 90 as Internacional drew 2-2 away to Corinthians overnight. The left-back scored from range to draw his side level 17 minutes in. Donig well away on loan.
- Politics: Middle East: Situation has heavily escalated, with situation encompassing Iran & Lebanon into the far-reaching situation in Israel & Gaza (all discussion on this situation is for outwith of this site for a more appropriate forum).
Summary
“If you dream in management then you won’t be here long,”
Brendan Rodgers pre match
“Clearly, there was disappointment in the aftermath of it. It’s always emotionally challenging and difficult. You can’t dwell on it, you’ve got to look at it and analyse it, but very quickly you have to move on,”
Brendan Rodgers prematch
“This last period we’ve played 7 games, won 6 and lost 1 to the Champions League finalists. We are on a good path. Paolo and Luke were outstanding. Kyogo stretching the lines and Jamesie with his quality. Bit slow in the first half. No movement. Weren’t doing anything with the ball. Onus is on us to be more creative. New energy into game on 60 mins and they were fantastic. No easy games, especially after European games”.
Brendan Rodgers
Chris Sutton @chris_sutton73 · Celtic huffed and puffed and finally got there. The subs changed the game. McCowan excellent, Kyogo’s movement fantastic, Forrest the old stager looked sharp. Kuhn wonderful finish. Kris Boyd didn’t like him celebrating the winner… dear me
“I’m sure I’ll have got a bit of grief, everyone knows I’m a [Celtic] fan but on the pitch that means nothing. I’m enjoying football, results are turning.” Ross County scorer Ronan Haleon Ross County’s 2-1 defeat to Celtic, he’s a Celtic fan as the Sky Sports commentator nauseatingly kept repeating.
Etims: FT Ross Co 1 #Celtic 2 Excellent second half comeback. 7 wins out of 7 in the league. Bravo. Game changed when subs brought on. Added energy and quality to play. Benefits of having a quality squad. Thought McCowan was excellent. was everywhere and moved the ball quickly. Winning goal was top quality play with cracking composed finish. Throughout a season you have to grind out victories from time to time and today was one of those occasions, more so coming back from a half time deficit and a midweek pumping. Big Bravo to team/mgmt today. A big win
jbj717 of KDS:
A most forgettable match and performance all round.
Engels and Hatate were poor in the first half and indeed all three midfielders could have been subbed at HT.
In the end we got there with a bit of luck though against teams defending so deep we could try and just put the ball in the box a bit more often to play for mistakes instead of trying to craft the perfect goal.
Pass marks to the subs and the support for keeping going until we got the breakthrough.
ian1888 of KDS:
A European hangover. But thats how you win leagues , grind it out. County set up very effectively , and it was up to us to find the solution to it. With no space to run into Daizen had a bad day. On the other side the County left back raked Kuhn and Engels without punishment. Midfield was totally innefective first half and all 3 could have had a case for being hooked at half time. Idah had little service , but did nothing when County had the ball , no press, looked lazy. He should have gone off at half time. The movement of Kyogo and Jamesie swung things our way. With Kuhn you’ve always got a chance. He links up well with AJ, and would have been better if Engels had been more effective on that side. He can at least operate in tight areas and is always likely to come up with one of those. At the end of the day , i’d sooner lose the clean sheet in a victory than a loss. Dug it out , and on we go.
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
11 Álex Valle
05 L. Scales
06 A. Trusty
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate, substituted for L. McCowan at 61 minutes
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
27 A. Engels, substituted for Paulo Bernardo at 61 minutes
38 D. Maeda, substituted for J. Forrest at 68 minutes
09 A. Idah, substituted for K. Furuhashi at 61 minutes
10 N. Kühn 50′, Yellow Card at 50 minutes
Subs:
49 J. Forrest
08 K. Furuhashi
28 Paulo Bernardo
14 L. McCowan
17 M. Nawrocki
07 L. Palma
56 A. Ralston
12 V. Sinisalo
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
A. Johnston (76′)
N. Kühn (88′)
Assists:
C. McGregor (76′), A. Johnston (88′)
Ross County
Manager: Don Cowie
Formation: 3 – 4 – 2 – 1
01 R. Laidlaw
03 R. Leak
20 K. Łopata
04 A. Wright
19 E. Campbell 90’+7, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 7
23 J. Nisbet, subbed for A. Samuel at 76mins
08 C. Randall (c), Captain50′, Yellow Card at 50mins
24 M. Efete 59′, Yellow Card at 59mins, subbed for J. Brown at 76mins
15 A. Denholm, subbed for J. White at 46mins
10 N. Chilvers, subbed for J. Grieves at 66mins
09 R. Hale, subbed for V. Loturi at 65mins
Substitutes
27 E. Brophy
02 J. Brown
14 J. Grieves
22 J. Hamilton
07 V. Loturi
43 J. Reid
25 A. Samuel
21 C. Telfer
26 J. White
Goals:
R. Hale (43′ pen) (first was saved but then retaken as Schmeichel encroached)
Assists:
Referee Kevin Clancy
Video Assistant Referee Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee 1 David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2 Gordon McCabe
Fourth Official Greg Soutar
Assistant VAR Official Alan Mulvanny
Venue:Global Energy Stadium
Attendance:6,372
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall Possession
Ross County 17.6% Celtic 82.4%
Shots
Ross County 8 Celtic 23
Shots on target
Ross County 5 Celtic 6
Shots off target
Ross County 2 Celtic 11
Blocked shots
Ross County 1 Celtic 6
Total touches in the box
Ross County 7 Celtic 46
Goalkeeper saves
Ross County 4 Celtic 4
Aerial duels won
Ross County 23 Celtic 24
Fouls
Ross County 11 Celtic 11
Corners
Ross County 1 Celtic 9
Articles
Celtic survive Highland sting as VAR, penalty drama and late show are highlights in Dingwall
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-survive-highland-sting-as-var-penalty-drama-and-late-show-are-highlights-in-dingwall-4812232
By Ross McLeish
Comments
Published 6th Oct 2024, 14:17 BST
Champions battle back from goal down to beat Ross County
Nicolas Kuhn grabbed a late winner as Celtic came from behind to beat Ross County 2-1 in Dingwall. The winger struck his sixth goal of the season in an 88th-minute counter-attack to maintain Celtic’s perfect start to the league season.
Ronan Hale became the first player to score against Celtic in the William Hill Premiership when he converted a retaken penalty in the 42nd minute following a VAR-assisted handball decision against Liam Scales.
The champions had struggled to break County down but their efforts were rewarded when Alistair Johnston got the final touch following a 76th-minute corner and Kuhn continued his impressive start to the campaign by having the final say. The German was sent running down the right by Johnston’s searching pass and he cut inside a defender before curling the ball inside the far post.
Alex Valle, Reo Hatate and Adam Idah had come into the Celtic team following their 7-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund.
Brendan Rodgers’ side had 80 per cent of first-half possession but Kasper Schmeichel was the busier goalkeeper.
It was all Celtic in the opening stages but there were few clear-cut chances and Elijah Campbell made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to prevent Kuhn converting Daizen Maeda’s square ball.
Schmeichel had to get down well to deny Hale after a long ball and Noah Chilvers came close from the rebound.
The Celtic goalkeeper made two more comfortable saves from headers and Maeda missed the visitors’ best chance of the half when he sent a free header wide from Johnston’s cross.
The key first-half moment came when Michee Efete’s cross hit the raised arm of Scales and Kevin Clancy ultimately pointed to the spot after being called to the monitor by video assistant Nick Walsh.
Schmeichel did his best to unnerve Hale, who also had to put up with the noise and drumbeat from the travelling fans behind the goal, and the Denmark international dived to his right to stop the spot-kick. However, Clancy ordered a retake after word came through from the VAR headquarters that the Celtic keeper was well off his line and Hale fired an unstoppable penalty into the bottom corner second time around. It was the Belfast-born forward’s seventh goal in 11 matches since joining from Cliftonville.
There were scares for Celtic either side of the interval. Schmeichel spilled Josh Nisbet’s shot but it squirmed wide and Hale came close to chipping the goalkeeper from 40 yards after Johnston had gifted possession to County near the centre circle in his own half. The striker’s effort sailed over the keeper’s head but drifted just off target.
County were still making life difficult for Celtic’s attackers and Callum McGregor tried to take matters into his own hands by bursting into the box, but he placed his shot just wide.
Ross Laidlaw had his first test following Maeda’s one-two with Hatate and the goalkeeper saved from close range with the help of Efete’s lunging tackle.
Celtic’s substitutes added some impetus and the pressure told following Paulo Bernardo’s corner. Laidlaw kept out Kyogo Furuhashi’s flick but was beaten when McGregor’s follow-up diverted off Johnston. Celtic went looking for the winner and Kuhn provided it before escaping a second yellow card after running into the away fans to celebrate while already on a booking following an earlier clash with Connor Randall.
‘Fabric of club’ – Brendan Rodgers lauds Celtic tradition but Ross County aren’t happy at key call
By Ross McLeish
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/fabric-of-club-brendan-rodgers-lauds-celtic-tradition-but-ross-county-arent-happy-at-key-call-4812295?cx_testId=5&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=1&cx_experienceId=EX2NAIW0WFIR&cx_experienceActionId=showRecommendationsK080OZDSLLXE8#cxrecs_s
Comments
Published 6th Oct 2024, 16:07 BST
Manager hails team’s never-say-die spirit in the Highlands
Brendan Rodgers praised his players for keeping up a “Celtic tradition” after they came from behind to clinch a late win against Ross County.
Celtic were trailing to Ronan Hale’s 42nd-minute penalty with just 14 minutes left on the clock and had struggled to test County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw throughout the game.
But their pressure eventually told when Callum McGregor’s shot went in off team-mate Alistair Johnston following a corner and the right-back sent Nicolas Kuhn away on the counter-attack before the German winger cut in and curled home an 88th-minute winner.
Rodgers was delighted to see his side battle to the end after they followed their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund with a first-half display in Dingwall that lacked a cutting edge.
“It’s a Celtic tradition, isn’t it? It’s how the game is played at this club,” he said. “Because if you look over the course of this week, we had thousands of fans turn up in Dortmund. They’ve seen what they’ve seen, which wasn’t great, but they give us great support at the end of the game.
“Now they’re having to come up here for a 12 o’clock kick-off, so the very least you can do is run your heart out right to the very end. That’s what this club’s about. It’s the fabric of this club. You keep going to the end.”
Hale’s re-taken penalty stopped Celtic extending their run of clean sheets but they have now won their first seven league games for the first time since 2010, when they managed eight under Neil Lennon.
Rodgers said: “I said at half-time, you are either looking for an easy game or you’re feeling sorry for yourself. But whatever it is, it’s not enough.
“We have to go and impose our way of playing and get the energy back into the game again. And then obviously the second half we were much better.
“It wasn’t very good in the first half and you give a big credit to Ross County and their organisation.
“I don’t think there was a lot happening either way in the game but certainly the onus was on us with the team that has the ball to do more with it.
“But it was too slow and we said that at half-time. We’re a team that can never look for an easy game and it just looked a little bit ponderous and a bit slow and then we didn’t create enough.
“So the second half, especially when the subs come on, we bring a new energy to the game and we get what we deserved in the end.
“The thing I said in the aftermath of the midweek game was that I’ve got absolutely 100 per cent confidence in the resilience of this team. That’s all about grit and determination and fight and we had that in the bucket loads.
“We played seven games now over the course of three competitions in 23 days and the players have won six of those and the loss was against the Champions League finalists. So I tip my hat to them.”
County boss Don Cowie felt his side were on the end of a poor refereeing decision from Kevin Clancy ahead of the winning goal, when Jordan White was penalised for a foul on Luke McCowan midway inside the Celtic half.
“The equaliser was a bit fortunate, and then they score a goal from a foul that I didn’t think was a foul,” he said.
“At the time I didn’t think it was a free-kick, and I’ve seen it again and it’s not.
“It’s up to us to react to that situation. We were slightly stretched, and two passes later they score.
“I’m just disappointed for the boys that they’ve got nothing to show for their efforts in the end.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cvgdv8pe13vt#Report
Nicholas Kuhn and James ForrestImage source, SNS
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Celtic “showed a great resilience and mentality” to come from behind against Ross County and maintain their 100% start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had asked for his players to “bounce back even higher” from their midweek Champions League dismantling by Borussia Dortmund.
But Celtic barely got off the ground for the first 70 minutes, and were given a lesson by County on how to set up against a superior side.
“We looked like we wanted an easy game in the first half and that’s not what this team’s about,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland.
“We deserved to win the game but we want to win it in the best way, and first half we didn’t quite do that.”
Instead, County’s resoluteness, discipline and ability to capitalise on their visitors’ slackness, was gilded by Ronan Hale’s first-half penalty.
Michee Efete’s cross hit the arm of Liam Scales and, after being summoned for a brief look at the monitor, Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot.
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Hale’s first attempt was soft and comfortably parried by Kasper Schmeichel, but the goalkeeper was deemed to have moved too early.
So the Country striker stepped up again and, this time, scored his seventh goal since signing in the summer.
Celtic had yet to concede in the league this season, but when they did in the League Cup against Hibernian and Falkirk, it sparked something and they cantered away.
That wasn’t the case here.
Despite their utter dominance – 82% overall – the reigning champions had registered just three shots on target before Callum McGregor’s fierce shot battered off Alistair Johnston and flashed in for the equaliser.
But even when they are far from their best, Celtic just seem to find a way and there was an inevitably about their winner.
County were sliced open by one Johnston pass from deep and Nicolas Kuhn blistered down the right and rippled the far side of the net with a sweet strike.
Dingwall made as daunting as Dortmund
It’s the old cliche, but County’s season won’t be defined by results against Celtic and Rangers. Instead, they must look at their own performance.
Don Cowie’s side made it stuffy and uncomfortable for Celtic, who until they made changes, failed to carve them open or even remotely test goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
The County midfield didn’t allow their visitors to find their usual rhythm and Connor Randall and Elijah Campbell impressed in cutting out any danger.
In second half, when you’d expect Celtic to throw all their might, muscle and money at it, Jordan White worked tirelessly to act as an out for the hard-working defence and midfield.
Which is why the winner will hurt County so dearly. Down at their corner flag, Celtic recovered possession and made their way up the park in an instant.
County have now lost seven points from winning positions this season, more than any other Premiership side. That is something they must address.
But it was an afternoon were Cowie’s side made Dingwall almost as daunting as Dortmund for Celtic, and there’s plenty to take from that.
Belief, belief, belief
While their performance in Germany took a battering, Celtic’s belief did not. Even though not cutting County apart, there was a sense the winner would come.
The dominance was not on show in the first half, but in the second it was one-way traffic, though it just wasn’t filtering into the final third.
Through substitutions and words at the break, Rodgers’ side grasped the game.
Kuhn will grab the headlines as his strong start to the season continues – he now has 14 goal contributions – but Kyogo, James Forrest and Paulo Bernardo injected some much needed invention in an otherwise uncreative Celtic side.
Arne Engels did not shine, while Reo Hatate and Adam Idah failed to make a real impact after their midweek benching.
However, after a relentless run of fixtures, the champions can head into the international break with their unbeaten start in tact.
What they said
Ross County manager Don Cowie: “It’s disappointing when you put that much effort in. But I still see plenty of positives.
“We’re playing against a massive team with a massive budget compared to what we have. How do we compete against that? It’s about good organisation and working hard, and I saw that in abundance.
“When you come away with nothing and you see no reward, it’s sore. It’s up to me to remind them of how good they were as a unit.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I’ve got to be pleased. Seven games in 23 days and we’ve won six playing absolutely fantastic. We’ve lost one, against the Champions League finalists, which we will learn from.”
“We showed a great resilience and mentality in the second half. The first half was very slow, too passive, no real tempo in it. Second half, we were very good.”
Live Reporting
One down, two to gopublished at 14:38 British Summer Time
14:38 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
That’s all from the game in Dingwall, but we have two more Scottish Premiership games to come.
Aberdeen v Hearts is almost upon us and Rangers host St Johnstone in a most unusual 20:00 BST start.
We’ll have both of those covered.
Cowie takes positives from ‘sore’ defeatpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time
14:34 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Ross County manager Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: “It’s disappointing against anyone when you put that much effort in. I still see plenty of positives.
“We’re playing against a massive team with a massive budget compared to what we have. How do we compete against that? It’s about good organisation and working hard, and I saw that in abundance. I’m disappointed for the group but really proud of them.”
“When you come away with nothing and you see no reward, it’s sore. It’s up to me to remind them of how good they were as a unit. It’s something we’ve worked hard on, tightening up at the back and in the last few weeks I’ve seen an improvement.”
Ross County manager Ross CountyImage source, SNS
Kuhn ‘stayed on it’ for winnerpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time
14:32 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Brendan Rodgers on the winning goal… “That grit and determination, as well as the talent they have, shone through in the end.
“Space opened up a few times, it was a great pass by Ally [Johnston] and Nic [Kuhn] does well. Our intention is often to square it for players in the middle, but he stayed on it. He’s been absolutely brilliant for us.
“That’s the job. He had to create and score more goals and he’s starting to do that.”
‘Second half, we were very good’published at 14:26 British Summer Time
14:26 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: “We showed a great resilience and mentality in the second half.
“First half, there wasn’t a lot happening, we had a lot of the ball but it was very slow, too passive, no real tempo in it. We looked like we wanted an easy game and that’s not what this team’s about.
“Second half, we were very good, especially with the introduction of players coming in to give us that energy. We deserved to win the game but we want to win it in the best way, and first half we didn’t quite do that.
“Last weekend, St Johnstone was a tough game but our energy was good right the way through.
“We learnt today that there are no easy games, especially on the back of a European tie.”
Celtic manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time
14:23 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
“I’ve got to be pleased,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland. “Seven games in 23 days. We’ve won six playing absolutely fantastic. We’ve lost one against the Champions League finalists, which we will learn from.”
More from Rodgers in just a moment.
‘Kuhn delivers key moment’published at 14:19 British Summer Time
14:19 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
Nicolas Kuhn wasn’t having the best game today but he came up with the goods. A moment of brilliance.
Nicolas KuhnImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time
14:14 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
It might not have been a vintage performance but avoiding a slip up today was important for Celtic after their heavy Champions League loss to Dortmund.
Bouncing back is perhaps a stretch but it stops any negativity from festering before the international break.
Postpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time
14:09 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Celtic’s next game is at home to Aberdeen on 19 October.
Will those two be level on points then?
They will if the Dons manage to see off Hearts at Pittodrie in less than an hour.
Our coverage continues with that game, with a late kick-off for St Johnstone’s visit to Ibrox rounding off a long day in the top flight.
Postpublished at 14:06 British Summer Time
14:06 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
County conceded late in their draw at Tynecastle last weekend and fell to a last-gasp goal at Aberdeen too.
It’s a cruel game sometimes, but you need to keep going right until the final whistle.
‘Quality moment settles game’published at 14:04 British Summer Time
14:04 BST
FT: Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
No surprise in the end but Celtic found it hard.
Celtic had to find a way and they did. It a took a bit of fortune. They got a real lift from the first goal because they weren’t at their best.
The second goal was quality, and it was that bit of quality that won the day for Celtic.
FULL-TIME Ross County 1-2 Celticpublished at 13:58 British Summer Time
13:58 BST
Celtic make it seven wins from seven in the Premiership, but it was far from a comfortable afternoon in the Highlands.
Nicolas Kuhn hit the decisive goal on 88 minutes, following Alistair Johnston’s equaliser.
County had led from a retaken Ronan Hale penalty.
Celtic celebrate Nicolas Kuhn’s late goalImage source, SNS
YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+6 mins
90+6 mins
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
One last punt forward for County but they can’t conjure anything up and Eli Campbell is booked for halting a Celtic breakaway.
Postpublished at 90+4 mins
90+4 mins
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Having been on the back foot for almost all of the second half, County have to switch mindset, but first they need the ball – and Celtic are doing a decent job of keeping it.
‘Magic’ from Kuhnpublished at 13:52 British Summer Time
13:52 BST
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
The driving force is McGregor. He sits the ball down, tells Johnston where to go, and rolls him the free-kick quickly.
It was magic what Kuhn did, he could have crossed it, but he bent it in the far corner.
Nicolas Kuhn celebrates making it 2-1 to CelticImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 90+1 mins
90+1 mins
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Kacper Lopata makes a stretching interception inside his own six yard box to prevent a tap-in for Celtic striker Kyogo.
Postpublished at 90 mins
90 mins
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
SEVEN minutes added…
‘Huge goal for Celtic’published at 13:50 British Summer Time
13:50 BST
Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Ross County overcommitted up the pitch, high in the corner. Celtic won the ball, got out, and counter-attack really quickly. It’s one penetrating pass and a great finish.
Huge goal for Celtic, huge moment in this championship.
goal
GOAL Ross County 1-2 Celticpublished at 87 mins
87 mins
Nicolas Kuhn
County are suddenly caught short at the back and Celtic take full advantage.
Nicolas Kuhn scampers down the right before cutting inside and bending a sweet finish into the far corner.
Celtic goal
Postpublished at 84 mins
84 mins
Ross County 1-1 Celtic
One-way traffic at the moment as County sit deep desperately defending their penalty area.
Postpublished at 80 mins
80 mins
Ross County 1-1 Celtic
Ten minutes of regulation time remaining.
Which way is this going to go?
A lot of the home players appear to be blowing hard.
next page
LIVE stream page 2
‘Priceless goal’published at 13:39 British Summer Time
13:39 BST
Ross County 1-1 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
It’s a goal that they’ve struggled for all day. It shows you can score goals in different ways, but it’s priceless for them.
It comes after the County substitutions were made before the corner. Maybe you make those subs after.
goal
GOAL Ross County 1-1 Celticpublished at 76 mins
76 mins
Alistair Johnston
Ross Laidlaw makes a terrific reflex save to keep out a near post flick from a corner, but the keeper is soon beaten as a shot from Callum McGregor crashes off Alistair Johnston and in.
Celtic goal
Tide a changing?published at 13:36 British Summer Time
13:36 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Celtic have attempted the last six shots shots in this game, Ross County last shot was taken by Ronan Hale in the 51st minute.
Postpublished at 74 mins
74 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
James Forrest goes on the outside this time and Michee Efete dives in to stop his progress.
Looks like cramp for the defender, who is quickly replaced by James Brown.
Alex Samuel is also on for the hosts, replacing Josh Nisbet.
Postpublished at 73 mins
73 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Celtic sub James Forrest cuts in from the left and takes aim for the far corner. Easy save for Ross Laidlaw.
Postpublished at 70 mins
70 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
County half clear from a corner and Callum McGregor can only skew a shot well wide from the edge of the box.
Loud groans from the visiting fans behind the goal.
‘Celtic won’t panic’published at 13:29 British Summer Time
13:29 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
With every little mistake, you hear more frustration from the Celtic fans behind Ross Laidlaw’s goal.
But Celtic won’t panic yet. They’ll keep playing the same as normal.
Postpublished at 67 mins
67 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Another Celtic change as James Forrest takes over from Daizen Maeda.
Forrest is looking for a seventh career goal against County.
Postpublished at 65 mins
65 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Viktor Loturi and Jack Grieves are on for County now, with Noah Chilvers and goalscorer Ronan Hale withdrawn.
A warm round of applause for the latter as he applauds the home fans.
‘Celtic need a bit of zip’published at 13:23 British Summer Time
13:23 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
They’re all quality players coming on. They need a bit of zip back and the subs will give them freshness.
They’ve created a few chances but they’re still behind. They need a goal soon and they cannot drop points. Every point will be crucial.
Triple change for Celticpublished at 61 mins
61 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Kyogo, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan enter the fray.
The Celtic players making way are Adam Idah, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.
Postpublished at 60 mins
60 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
The tempo is up a notch from Celtic as Reo Hatate stabs a volley high and wide.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 58 mins
58 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Michee Efete is booked for racing back on to the pitch without permission, having gone off for some treatment.
He just ploughed straight into the action to help thwart another Celtic attack.
Postpublished at 57 mins
57 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Daizen Maeda steams in on goal and Ross Laidlaw has to make a good sprawling block.
Michee Efete is lunging in on the Celtic winger and maybe just got a slight touch on the ball.
Ross Laidlaw saves from Daizen MaedaImage source, SNS
CLOSE!published at 53 mins
53 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Celtic skipper Callum McGregor brushes off a couple of challenges before his low shot from 18 yards skips inches wide.
CLOSE!published at 51 mins
51 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Ronan Hale is not far away from a second goal as he spies Kasper Schmeichel off his line and sends a long range effort sailing just wide.
YELLOW CARDSpublished at 50 mins
50 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
An angry exchange between Nicolas Kuhn and Connor Randall ends with both men cautioned.
Postpublished at 49 mins
49 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
A confident start to the second half from County as they commit numbers forward.
KICK-OFFpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time
13:05 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Here we go for the second half.
County add second strikerpublished at 13:05 British Summer Time
13:05 BST
HT: Ross County 1-0 Celtic
An interesting switch for County as they replace midfielder Aidan Denholm with striker Jordan White.
LIVE stream page 3
Postpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time
13:04 BST
HT: Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Celtic are sure to come flying out of the traps after the break. Can County maintain their impressive levels of concentration at the back?
Hale holds his nervepublished at 13:00 British Summer Time
13:00 BST
HT: Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Kasper Schmeichel could only stand and watch as Ronan Hale cracked his retaken penalty into the same corner of the net.
Ronan Hale drills in his second penalty attemptImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Ronan Hale drills in his second penalty attempt as Kasper Schmeichel watches on
‘Game plan brilliant for County’published at 12:56 British Summer Time
12:56 BST
HT: Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
County will be overjoyed. Don Cowie has looked at St Johnstone last week and thought if we play open and expansive, Celtic will score goals against us.
He’s set his stall with a back-five, he’s thrown in an extra midfielder, and they’re working their socks off, closing the space.
They have executed the game plan absolutely brilliantly.
Postpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time
12:54 BST
HT: Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Ross County are unbeaten in their last 13 Premiership matches when leading at half-time (W9, D4) dating back to 17 December 2022 against St Johnstone.
HALF-TIME Ross County 1-0 Celticpublished at 45+3 mins
45+3 mins
A surprise scoreline in Dingwall.
Celtic have bossed the ball but haven’t really had too many menacing moments.
County have shown great discipline off the ball and Ronan Hale converted the spot-kick at the second attempt, with Kasper Schmeichel off his line to save the first.
Ronan Hale celebrates with Aidan DenholmImage source, SNS
CLOSE!published at 45+2 mins
45+2 mins
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
County tails are up now as Josh Nibet takes aim from the edge of the penalty box. The shot is dipping inside the near post as Kasper Schmeichel gets down to save and the ball squirms out of his grasp and wide.
Not a very convincing stop from the veteran keeper.
‘Much better’ from Halepublished at 12:47 British Summer Time
12:47 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
What confidence! A lot of people would blast it down the middle or change side, but he has the audacity to put it the same side.
It was a much better struck penalty.
Postpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time
12:46 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Ronan Hale is the first player to score against Celtic in the Premiership this season.
‘Schmeichel will be gutted’published at 12:45 British Summer Time
12:45 BST
Ross County 1-0 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
He struck it really well that time.
Kasper Schmeichel has no chance, and he’ll be really gutted. When you save a penalty, you hope you’ve done your team a favour.
goal
GOAL Ross County 1-0 Celticpublished at 42 mins
42 mins
Ronan Hale (pen)
Same direction, right in the corner with way more venom this time!
Ross County goal
RETAKE!published at 12:44 British Summer Time
12:44 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Ronan Hale will get another go since Schmeichel was quite a bit off his line for the first one.
MISSED PENALTYpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time
12:43 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
After a long wait, Ronan Hale’s rather tame spot-kick is saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
PENALTY TO ROSS COUNTYpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time
12:41 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Aye, Referee Kevin Clancy doesn’t waste much time at the monitor.
PENALTY CHECKpublished at 39 mins
39 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Possible handball from Celtic defender Liam Scales.
The arm is out as he gets in the way of a cross from Michee Efete.
Postpublished at 37 mins
37 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Celtic keep coming, County keep digging deep.
Reo Hatate’s shot is blocked before a deflected effort from Adam Idah spins into the hands of Ross Laidlaw.
Postpublished at 34 mins
34 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Home goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw cuts out a low cross from Arne Engels.
County try to break but Aidan Denholm has his shirt tugged by Auston Trusty, who is perhaps fortunate to escape a booking.
Postpublished at 31 mins
31 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Daizen Maeda is free at the back post thanks to a slipping defender but the Celtic winger cannot profit as he heads wide from a good Alistair Johnston cross.
Postpublished at 28 mins
28 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
A looping cross into the Celtic penalty area is met by Kacper Lopata but there’s no power on the header to trouble goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
‘Very little space for Celtic’published at 12:27 British Summer Time
12:27 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
So far, Ross County are doing a good job defensively, there’s very little space for Celtic to exploit in the middle of the pitch.
They’re tracking players well, getting blocks in, and defending that space between the posts.
Celtic are hoping for a lapse of concentration, or a gap will open up.
Ross County Noah Chilvers on the ballImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 24 mins
24 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
County are grafting hard in their 5-4-1 shape but the hosts cannot keep hold of the ball for very long, allowing Celtic to build again and again.
Postpublished at 21 mins
21 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Daizen Maeda dips a shoulder and goes on the outside of his marker only to see his shot deflected over.
Liam Scales gets to the corner first but cannot steer the ball on target.
Postpublished at 18 mins
18 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Hang on, here comes Ronan Hale and the County striker cracks an angled shot from the left on target.
Kasper Schmeichel pushes it away and Noah Chilvers can only fire the rebound wide from 18 yards.
‘No options for Hale’published at 12:19 British Summer Time
12:19 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on Sportsound
Celtic, you’re expecting them to have a lot of possession and I think Don Cowie has expected that too, with his formation.
The problem for County is that Hale is so isolated and he has nowhere to go, and no options. They look nice and secure in defence though.
Postpublished at 16 mins
16 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
County press well to win possession near the Celtic penalty area but Auston Trusty steps in to halt the progress of Connor Randall.
Postpublished at 14 mins
14 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
A wonderful sliding challenge from Eli Campbell prevents Nicolas Kuhn from getting to the ball inside the six yard box.
A goal-saving tackle from the County wing-back.
Postpublished at 13 mins
13 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Now Ross Laidlaw watches a rising shot from Alex Valle whizz over his crossbar.
Postpublished at 11 mins
11 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Good block at his near post from goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw as Daizen Maeda charges in from the left. The Celtic winger used an arm to control though, so play comes to a halt.
Postpublished at 9 mins
9 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Adam Idah is the target again as the Celtic striker nods high over the top from a corner.
Postpublished at 6 mins
6 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Celtic probing again. A shot is charged down and then Adam Idah glances wide from an Alistair Johnston delivery.
Postpublished at 4 mins
4 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Celtic’s first corner swings towards the back post and Daizen Maeda is not far away from getting a touch.
Will County target Valle?published at 12:05 British Summer Time
12:05 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Alex Valle fits into the way Celtic want to play, an attacking full-back who will get forward. There are vulnerabilities though, because he’s so small.
That could be an area Ross County exploit with early crosses.
Postpublished at 2 mins
2 mins
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Celtic try to play their way through a packed County midfield but the patient move comes to a halt as Adam Idah tangles with a defender on the edge of the penalty box.
KICK-OFFpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time
12:01 BST
Ross County 0-0 Celtic
Here we go for the first of three Premiership games today.
Kevin Clancy is the ref for this one.
Postpublished at 12:00 British Summer Time
12:00 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Celtic won all 11 meetings with Ross County in all competitions over the past three seasons, with an aggregate score of 30-6.
Rodgers wants Celtic to ‘bounce back higher’published at 11:57 British Summer Time
11:57 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: “I’ve got a really honest group and it always hurts after a game like that.
“The last couple of days, we’ve made sure that the players understand that it’s the first period in seven months that we’ve had a setback.
“Setbacks in life, whether personal or professional, are an opportunity for you to become better, and not bitter.
“It’s a humbling experience but it can transform you. We’ve lost to the Champions League finalists, a heavy loss, but that can allow us to bounce back even higher. That’s our mentality.”
Celtic manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time
11:55 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers reckons Don Cowie was the first player he signed for a fee, with Watford shelling out £50,000 to Inverness Caley Thistle in 2009.
More from Rodgers in just a moment…
‘We need a lot to go our way’published at 11:53 British Summer Time
11:53 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Ross County Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: “It’s still Celtic coming to play. They’ll be disappointed with the result midweek but we’ve all seen how outstanding they’ve been this year domestically.
“The lessons remains the same no matter who you’re playing. We need a lot to go our way today to get a positive result but our home form gives us that belief.
“It’s about real collective effort. You can’t be out of sync as a group when you play Celtic. If you do that, they’ll pick you off.
“Playing under [Rodgers] was one of the most enjoyable times in my career so it’s no surprise to me what he’s gone on to do. He’s certainly the best in our country.”
Postpublished at 11:50 British Summer Time
11:50 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
County lead the way for draws, with four of their seven league outings ending all square.
They might be happy with a fifth today since their record against Celtic is not great.
Celtic have won on their last six visits to Victoria Park and County have one victory in the last 17 home games, losing 14 of those.
Can Celtic keep back door shut again?published at 11:47 British Summer Time
11:47 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
The defending champions haven’t conceded a league goal yet.
No Celtic team has ever opened with seven wins and seven clean sheets.
Kasper Schmeichel warming upImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Kasper Schmeichel can expect a quieter day than he had in Germany
Hearty start for Halepublished at 11:44 British Summer Time
11:44 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
The Celtic defence may be having nightmares about Dortmund duo Karim Adeyemi and Serhou Guirassy.
Ronan Hale might not be quite in the same price bracket as those two but the County striker has made a bright start to life in Scotland with six goals, including a screamer at Tynecastle last time.
LIVE stream page 5
Postpublished at 11:40 British Summer Time
11:40 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
While Celtic sit top of the Premiership pile with a 100% record, Ross County are looking to stretch their unbeaten run to four games, having been denied a win at Tynecastle by a late, late equaliser last weekend.
Idah leads Celtic attackpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time
11:37 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers makes three changes from the midweek loss in Germany.
Alex Valle, Reo Hatate and Adam Idah take over from Greg Taylor, Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi. The latter two are on the bench, but no sign of Taylor.
Celtic striker Adam Idah arriving at Victoria ParkImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Idah starts a Premiership match for the second time this season
Denholm returns for Ross Countypublished at 11:35 British Summer Time
11:35 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
One change for the hosts as striker Jordan White makes way for midfielder Aidan Denholm, who had to sit out against parent club Hearts last weekend.
LINE-UPSpublished at 11:33 British Summer Time
11:33 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
Ross County: Laidlaw, Leak, Wright, Lopata, Randall, Efete, Campbell, Denholm, Nisbet, Chilvers, Hale.
Substitutes: Hamilton, Brown, Loturi, Telfer, Reid, Grieves, Samuel, Brophy. White.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle, McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Kuhn, Idah, Maeda.
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Palma, Kyogo, Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston.
From the Yellow Wall to Dingwallpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time
11:30 BST
Ross County v Celtic (12:00)
How do Celtic respond to their Champions League mauling in Dortmund?
Will it be straight back to domestic domination or will that 7-1 defeat have dented confidence?
Ross County on a Sunday lunchtime is a world away from the 80,000-strong crowd at a rocking Westfalenstadion…
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arriving at Victoria ParkImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arriving at Victoria Park