2015-08-01: Celtic 2-0 Ross County, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• First League match of the season.
• Celtic reigning league champions going for five in a row.
• League Championship flag unfurled by Lisbon Lion John Clark, one of the greatest stalwarts the club has ever had (and there have been many greats).
• Second season for Deila with John Collins as assistant.
• Scottish competition Celtic debut for new players.
• Still no TheRangers this season and no Hibs either. Hearts return to top tier.
• Griffiths off after 15 mins due to a knock.
• Craig Gordon in possible red card last man incident but got away rightly with yellow.
• Starting Debut for Kieran Tiernay
• Champions League qualifiers second round in Azerbaijan next week.
• Transfers in: Dedryk Boyata (Man City), Saidy Jonka (Man U free) ; Ciftci (Dundee Utd £1.5m)
• Transfers out: Joe Chalmers (to Motherwell) ; Tonev (end loan); Guidetti (end loan); Wakaso (end loan); Zaluska (free); John Herron (free), Amido Balde (free) ; Fridjonsson (free to Reykjavik) ; Adam Matthews (£2m to Sunderland); Paul McMullan (loan to St Mirren), Michael Duffy (Alloa season long loan), Connor McManus (Alloa season long loan) ; Jackson Irvine (to Ross County)

Review

(hoops 2710 of KDS)

Boyata looks a bit shaky, have to be concerned if he is regarded as the better or the 2 centre halves this season.

Virgil is head and shoulders above everyone in this league. It will be sad to see him leave.

Tierney and Ambrose didn't give too much to moan about apart from the crossing.

Wouldn't say the midfield were great. Armstrong the most impressive and Johansen played reasonably well in the deeper position.

Scep was rotten for the most part but he seemed to get a little better as the game went on – still doesn't earn pass marks from me.

Overall, job done. 3 points and a clean sheet, can't complain.

Finally, Neil McCann [ex-Rangers player, EBT taker hun apologist and Sky Sports analyst for Scottish Football] …you are a bottom

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Stats

Celtic Ross County
Possession
43% 57%
90mins

Shots
13 8

On target
7 4

Corners
15 4

Fouls
11 5

Articles

The Scotsman
Celtic 2-0 Ross County: Champions begin with win
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-2-0-ross-county-champions-begin-with-win-1-3847058

ANDREW SMITH AT CELTIC PARK
23:35Saturday 01 August 2015

CELTIC maybe should have considered hoisting their championship flag merely two-thirds of the way up its pole yesterday.

Only if they claim a place in the Champions League group stages truly can their pennant proudly flutter these days, and a feeling persisted across the afternoon that barely two-thirds of their attention was on the opening Premiership game.

Sandwiched between the two legs of their third-round qualifier against Qarabag, the Scottish champions handled the visit of an energised and evolving Ross County dutifully at times, and with a distracted air at other points. The supporters were somewhat the same. The fitness and form of the home players was assessed in light of how it might impact on the trip to Azerbaijan for Wednesday’s second leg of the third qualifying round tie, with Celtic having established a 1-0 first-leg lead during the week.

That made Leigh Griffiths limping off, 19 minutes and one penalty creating-and-converting success into the encounter, a key moment, even if his manager Ronny Deila sought to play down any possible problem for the striker afterwards.

The other talker from the tussle came three minutes later, following a misplaced Dedryck Boyata pass that resulted in Jackson Irvine darting beyond the Celtic defence down the inside left channel. Craig Gordon bounded from his penalty box to impede the Australian… even as he clearly realised the error of his actions and attempted to draw back. A red card was anticipated from referee Willie Collum but he elected to show Gordon a yellow.

Deila admitted that he could understand if County felt aggrieved by the referee’s call. His Dingwall counterpart Jim McIntyre, meanwhile, couldn’t decide if he was aggrieved.

“For me it’s a scoring opportunity,” he said. “I certainly think Van Dijk was getting round so I’m not sure it’s a red card. But Jackson could’ve got on to the ball and scored. But obviously Willie has deemed he didn’t think it was an obvious scoring opportunity so we’ve got to grin

and bear it. If the ref doesn’t feel it’s obvious he can’t give it. It’s a sore one because it would’ve been interesting if he’d have given it. You need decisions to go your way against the top sides.”

Celtic, through suspensions and the desire to rest players following Wednesday’s exertions against Qarabag and those to follow, did not have what might be considered their top side on the field. A ban for Emilio Izaguirre and an injury to Charlie Mulgrew meant a first start for youngster Kieran Tierney at left-back, while yesterday marked the first of the six domestic games Nadir Ciftci will miss for biting Jim McAlister in the Dundee derby on the final day of last season. Mikael Lustig and Nir Bitton were rested as precautions, while County had five new faces in their ranks following a summer signing spree that has resulted in the Dingwall club dishing out a dozen new deals.

One of these came the way of Andrew Davies, instantly installed as captain of County on heading north in June. His first competitive contribution for his new club came in the form of clumsily leaning into Griffiths to ground him after only three minutes of the season. He bowed his head embarrassedly as Collum pointed to the spot, while Scott Fox was left cursing when he failed to stop the Celtic player’s tepid effort, which was close to him on his right and slipped under his body.

It looked like it could be a long afternoon for County when Stefan Johansen thumped in the home side’s second on the half-hour mark. A rasping 14-yard drive brought the Norwegian his third of the season, Gary Mackay-Steven teeing him up after shuffling across the edge of the box.

McIntyre’s side, though, weren’t willing to play patsies and Gordon produced three good stops as Craig Curran and Raffaele De Vita punished slackness from a home side going through the motions for much of the second period. At least until a second-half cameo from the returning-to-fitness Kris Commons forced activity from County keeper Fox.

“It was OK. Now the season really starts. We have the league and now the Champions League,” said Johansen of his team’s win.

There are no prizes for guessing which matters more to the midfielder, his team-mates, their manager and the masses that follow the club right now.

Celtic: Gordon; Ambrose, Boyata, van Dijk, Tierney (Janko 60); Brown, Johansen (Commons 60); Forest, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven; Griffiths (Scepovic 19). Subs not used: Bailly, Bitton, Rogic, McGregor.

Ross County: Fox; Fraser, Boyd, Davies, Foster; Gardyne, Murdoch (De Vita 56), Irvine, McShane (Graham 86), Quinn; Curran (Boyce 70). Subs not used: Bachmann, Robertson, Holden, Franks

Referee: W Collum.

Attendance: 45,197.

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33662288
By Clive Lindsay BBC Sport

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish title with a workmanlike win over Ross County that was tinged with opening-day controversy.

It looked ominous for County when Leigh Griffiths fired the hosts into the lead with a penalty after only three minutes before leaving the field injured.

But Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a foul on Jackson Irvine.

And Stefan Johansen fired the Glasgow side's second before half-time.
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Interview – Celtic manager Ronny Deila

It started and ended as a day of celebration for Celtic, with John Clark, the present kit man and former member of the Lisbon Lions side that won the European Cup in 1967, unfurling the title flag before the kick-off.

More important than that, or even the start to their pursuit of a fifth-straight title, was further preparation for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Qarabag on Wednesday.

With that in mind, Nir Bitton and Mikael Lustig were rested from the likely starting line-up in Azerbaijan, with 18-year-old Kieran Tierney handed only his second start at left-back in the absence of the suspended Emilio Izaguirre and with Charlie Mulgrew just short of match fitness.

Of course, summer arrival Nadir Ciftci was another absentee as the striker started a six-match domestic suspension for biting Dundee's Jim McAlister and replacement Griffiths showed early determination to make the most of the Turk's enforced absence.

The former Wolves striker ghosted behind Andrew Davies to meet an intricate Virgil van Dijk through ball, forcing a clumsy challenge from the defender who last season helped Bradford City to a famous win over Chelsea.
Stefan Johansen scores Celtic's second goal

Stefan Johansen scored Celtic's second goal against Ross County

Griffiths had failed with a penalty in the Champions League qualifier against Stjarnan and his spot-kick this time only just squeezed under the body of goalkeeper Scott Fox.

An explanation for the less than convincing nature of the strike perhaps came moments later as Griffiths slumped to the ground still nursing the knock that came from the original challenge before eventually limping off after 18 minutes.

By then, County had nevertheless started to work their way back into the game against a side who had the added advantage of three competitive games behind them.

Jim McIntyre's starting 11 only featured two players who began last season under his predecessor, Derek Adams, but five of the 10 new faces added this summer – including the unfortunate Davies and Fox.

Irvine established himself on loan with County before making his move from Celtic permanent during the close season and he was unfortunate not to make his mark against his former club.

A moment of slackness by former Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata allowed Craig Curran to thread a ball to Irvine, who was upended by Gordon on the outside edge of the penalty box to deny the midfielder a shot at a beckoning net.

With referee Willie Collum choosing yellow instead of red, it was the green light for Celtic to breath a sigh of relief with a second goal as Gary Mackay-Steven neatly set up Johansen to power home from 15 yards.

Rather than crumble, County responded by making the hosts work for their victory in a second half of more vigorous end-to-end action and fine saves from both goalkeepers.

However, Celtic finished with composure restored, three points in the bag and a record intact of not having lost on the opening day since 1997.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
90:00 +2:16 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
90:00 +1:51

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
90:00 +1:26

Attempt saved. Richard Foster (Ross County) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the bottom left corner.
88:21

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Fox.
88:11

Attempt saved. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
85:21 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Ross County. Brian Graham replaces Ian McShane.
83:48

Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high.
83:12

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marcus Fraser.
81:32

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Davies.
81:21

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
79:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Boyd.
78:01

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
77:21

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
77:21

Rocco Quinn (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
75:40

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Liam Boyce.
75:22

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Boyd.
75:10

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
73:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Rocco Quinn.
72:38

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Raffaele De Vita.
71:13

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Fox.
70:50

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Richard Foster.
69:29 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Ross County. Liam Boyce replaces Craig Curran.
69:22

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Fox.
69:14

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
67:51

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Andrew Davies.
64:48

Attempt saved. Raffaele De Vita (Ross County) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
63:26

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
63:26

Foul by Rocco Quinn (Ross County).
62:10

Attempt missed. Michael Gardyne (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
61:50

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Stefan Scepovic.
60:59 Booking

Booking Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
60:54

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
60:54

Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
59:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Stefan Johansen.
59:27 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Saidy Janko replaces Kieran Tierney.
59:14

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
59:14

Jackson Irvine (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
57:13

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ian McShane.
56:43

Attempt saved. Craig Curran (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
55:57

Attempt missed. Ian McShane (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
55:28 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Ross County. Raffaele De Vita replaces Stewart Murdoch.
55:00

Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
54:57

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
52:21

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Gardyne.
51:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marcus Fraser.
48:53

Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
48:53

Foul by Jackson Irvine (Ross County).
46:34

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
46:34

Craig Curran (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
45:00 +1:02 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 2, Ross County 0.
45:00 +0:10

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
40:20

Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
40:20

Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
38:18

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
38:18

Jackson Irvine (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
37:18

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
37:18

(Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:27

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
36:27

Ian McShane (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
35:33

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
35:33

Foul by Jackson Irvine (Ross County).
34:22 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Ross County 0. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gary Mackay-Steven.
32:44

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
30:18

Attempt missed. Craig Curran (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
28:05

Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
26:04

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
23:21

Attempt missed. Jackson Irvine (Ross County) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high.
23:05

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
22:52

Attempt saved. Ian McShane (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
22:21 Booking

Booking Craig Gordon (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
22:09

Foul by Craig Gordon (Celtic).
22:09

Jackson Irvine (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:33 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Scepovic replaces Leigh Griffiths because of an injury.
17:13

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
17:13

Foul by Craig Curran (Ross County).
16:42

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom left corner.
14:55

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
14:55

Craig Curran (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
14:26

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
4:55

Delay in match Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) because of an injury.
3:18 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Ross County 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
2:36

Penalty Celtic. Leigh Griffiths draws a foul in the penalty area.
2:36

Penalty conceded by Andrew Davies (Ross County) after a foul in the penalty area.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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