2016-10-26: Ross County 0-4 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2016 – 2017 | 2016-17 Pictures

Trivia

• Back to the league
• Midweek jaunt upto Ross County!
• Lots of reserve players added to the first team.
• Game played at a very fast pace, and Ross County deserved a goal or two. The scoreline is deceptive, they were excellent. Very good crowd at the game also.
• Aberdeen slip up and lose day before 1-0 to Hamilton. Surprise result, benefits Celtic in the league title race. Aberdeen are meant to be our strongest challengers this season.
• Hearts lose, Sevco draw! All playing into our hands.
• Man U supposedly had a scout at the match to watch Dembele.
• Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has advised Moussa Dembele to stay at Celtic for at least another two seasons in order to develop into one of the world’s best strikers.
• Celtic beat The Huns 1-0 in the league cup semi-finals last Sunday. The delusion from that mob is incredible (but then again in private they likely admit the current truth).
• Derek McInnes insists it would be a disgrace if Aberdeen were to receive anything less than half the tickets available for next month’s Betfred Cup final against Celtic.
• Borussia M away next Tuesday in Champs Lge.
• Bad week for Celtic players, Ex celts Caldwell & Stubbs sacked at their respective clubs. All the best to them.
• Ex-Brazil captain of 1970 legendary national team, Carlos Alberto, has passed away. RIP.

Review

(Kellybhoy of KDS)
I know it seems an incredible thing to say after a 4-0 win, but we were actually lucky not to drop points here. There were a few spells in that game when we were outplayed by County and only poor finishing and desperate defending saved us. They decided we were there for the taking and went all out with 3 at the back and that was their undoing in the end.

(Arsene P of KDS)
Good close game until the second goal obviously.

Gordon in general played excellently and was lucky with his "Penry the mild mannered janitor" impersonation. Would have been funny if he'd have been sent off and Roberts was put in goals instead.

Christie and McGregor were largely anonymous, Gamboa still hasn't integrated, Lustig isn't a centre half and Roberts isn't going to be bought by us for big money.

Feel sorry for Griffiths as he wasn't given any real chances to work with by the second XI creative players and Dembélé wasn't having much better luck in creating space, but got his tap in at the end to make him look like he made a difference. He's going to be our next big sale, and there's no doubt that he's a penalty box finisher, but he's still got a bit to go with ball retention, lay offs and passing at the right moments. We should, though, be able to play both of them against SPL opposition.

Sinclair is the main man for us just now. His positive running allows him to get at the opposition and create space for others. His willingness to get in and score speaks volumes.

The rest played as well as we know they can, but Ross County gave us a proper game and on another day they could have scored three and we couldn't have complained.

(little gm bhoy of KDS)
Never 4-0…they tested our changed defence no end and were really unlucky not to get it to 1-1. WE brought on Sinclair and MD and they pulled away & they made the difference. Fairly decent side at home are County.

What is it with our players and one to ones with keeper…Ended up not making any difference but it is noticeable we cannot stick the ball in the net when these occur. ..slightly concerning.

Griffiths worked hard and played okay. Roberts and him seem to be a tad greedy when there is no need for it as other players are in better positions. Good to see Christie get a run out and Gamboa still looks a bit iffy but to be fair like any player he should only be judged on a fair 5/6/7 run of games. All in all tough place to go and decent performance from us.

Teams

Celtic

Substitutes

• 6 Bitton
• 10 Dembele
• 11 Sinclair
• 18 Rogic
• 24 de Vries
• 34 O'Connell
• 49 Forrest

Goals

• Roberts (3' minutes),
• Armstrong (83' minutes),
• Sinclair (90'+1 minutes),
• Dembele (90'+3 minutes)

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11007018/
• Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11007349/
• Post Match http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11007355/

MOTM

• Voting Thread http://kerrydalestreet.co.uk/topic/11007357/
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Ross County Celtic
Possession
Home 38%
Away 62%

Shots
Home 10
Away 19

Shots on Target
Home 5
Away 12

Corners
Home 7
Away 7

Fouls
Home 6
Away 12

Articles

Ross County 0 – 4 Celtic: Visitors pile on late misery
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/ross-county-0-4-celtic-visitors-pile-on-late-misery-1-4270214

Published: 21:48 Wednesday 26 October 2016

The gap between Celtic and Ross County wasn’t as sizeable as the final scoreline at the Global Energy Stadium last night may have suggested.

Click here for the latest results, fixtures and stats>>>

In a pulsating second half, Brendan Rodgers’ men were pushed as they rarely have been in domestic football this season before Stuart Armstrong produced a composed finish to sweep in a low shot from 20 yards to give the visitors a two-goal advantage they were never going to give up.

Scott Sinclair added a sheen to the win by volleying high into the net from inside the six-yard box in added time, before Moussa Dembele provided more polish courtesy of a tap-in with the last kick.

That nine-minute three-goal flurry ensured that series of missed chances that followed Patrick Roberts giving Celtic an opening minutes’ lead did not prove costly.

Against a valiant County side, for a half-hour spell in the second period it took commanding goalkeeping from Craig Gordon, and home wastefulness, to prevent the outcome being placed in the balance.

Rodgers had stated earlier in the week that he would utilise his squad to ensure the players coped with the schedule of Dingwall, Aberdeen on Saturday and the Champions League jaunt to Monchengladbach three days later.

No-one quite expected that he would do this by fielding what was largely a second string against Jim McIntyre’s side. It wasn’t simply that there were eight personnel changes from the team which accounted for Rangers in Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final. Mikael Lustig may have been one of three players retained, but the armband wearing Swede – Scott Brown was rested entirely – was moved into centre-back from his more usual right-back slot.

There may have been an expectation that a starting XI featuring peripheral figures such as Emilio Izaguirre and Ryan Christie might have taken time to settle, to develop any sort of fluency.

With such as Cristiano Gamboa at right-back and Liam Henderson in an attacking area, all over the pitch there were individuals playing together for the first time.

Yet, right from the first whistle, Rodgers’ side exhibited a zip and a zest. Those elements were encapsulated in the scintillating slaloming run that allowed Patrick Roberts to provide an instant goal return.

Only 134 seconds had elapsed when he raced 30 yards down the right channel and drove into the penalty box, wrapped his foot around the ball and steered a precise effort inches inside Scott Fox’s right-hand post.

Celtic then seemed to want to play exhibition football, with flicks and slick get-and-gos allowing them to move County around and force them on to the back foot.

Yet, Celtic’s willingness to pour forward left them open to the counter and County showed a lick all of their own in being able to construct such attacks. Their assurance in doing so belying recent form that left them winless in the seven games leading up to last night. Within eight minutes, they would have fashioned an equaliser but for the telescopic limbs of Craig Gordon.

Liam Boyce exchanged passes with Ryan Dow, with Lustig losing the Northern Irishman after he failed to cut out a return, and as he looked to curl the ball past the Celtic keeper Boyce was thwarted by a fully extended left foot.

There was always the feeling that County could score and that Celtic probably would score.

That neither did find the net was down to Christie smacking the ball almost straight at Fox from point-blank range midway through the half, after County had been opened up, and the home keeper pushing away a flashing drive from Griffiths after another break down the left.

In between, Gardyne looked to have capitalised on uncertain defending when he slipped the ball past Gamboa and looked to have curled the ball in at the far corner only for it to drift the wrong side of the upright.

After another powerful start following the interval from Rodgers’ men, County again forced their way into the encounter to leave Celtic looking the more vulnerable of the two teams.

Burke slipped when clean through, then had Gordon scrambling to prevent the ball bouncing over the line after battering the ball against the keeper from a couple of yards. Agonisingly for the home support, Davies also clipped the post with a header from a corner, that forced Gordon again to block from Burke.

Rodgers’ concerns over this momentum shift were reflected in his committing big hitters Dembele, Sinclair and Nir Bitton to teh fray, the Israeli replacing Griffiths – the Scotland striker at the centre of a controversial moment early in the second period when he appeared to kick-out at Davies after a heavy challenge from the defender. Already on a booking, referee Alan Muir elected to take no action

McIntyre was also left mouthing “shocking” to the fourth official after Gordon was only booked for taking out Boyce on sprinting outside his box to meet the striker 18 minutes from time.

There was no shock, though, that Celtic prevailed, but surprise that the Dingwall side could have almost run them close.

BBC
Celtic scored three goals in the final seven minutes as they claimed all three points in the Highlands.
Patrick Roberts put Celtic ahead after only three minutes, but County responded well and almost equalised when Andrew Davies' header hit the post.
Stuart Armstrong coolly slotted home to double Celtic's lead on 83 minutes.
Substitutes Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele added goals in stoppage time to add some gloss to the scoreline.
The win takes Celtic seven points clear of Aberdeen – who slipped up with defeat at Hamilton on Tuesday – at the top of the Premiership table.
Big changes, same result
Celtic made eight changes to their line-up with manager Brendan Rodgers perhaps looking at their schedule and feeling it was time to rest some players.
They came out of the blocks firing and took the initiative immediately when Armstrong's desire to press won the ball in a dangerous area.
He released Roberts who danced inside and curled a beautiful effort into the far corner.
Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong slots home Celtic's second
County responded quickly though with Liam Boyce, back in the side after injury, pained to see Craig Gordon's boot deflect his shot wide when clean through on goal.
Armstrong, Leigh Griffiths, Roberts and Ryan Christie all went close to a second. It did not arrive until late on and County will feel very unlucky not to have levelled.
Martin Woods, Davies and Boyce all had good efforts as the home side grew into the game.
County go toe-to-toe with the champions
Celtic appeared to have regained their dominance early in the second half but County continued to battle.
Ryan Dow shot straight at Gordon before Davies towered to power a header towards goal which struck the inside of the post and away.
Celtic's introduction of Dembele, Sinclair and Bitton reflected County's increasing influence.
When Gordon came racing out of his box and clattered into Boyce it seemed a red card would emerge.
Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair came off the bench to score Celtic's third goal
It didn't, much to the fury of Jim McIntyre who could not believe the goalkeeper had escaped with a yellow.
Dembele should have settled it but Scott Fox brilliantly saved before Roberts fed the impressive Armstrong who calmly fired into the corner.
Sinclair missed a sitter before finally ending the contest in injury time with a great finish before Dembele added insult to injury with a fourth.
It was very harsh on Ross County who put so much in to making the match the spectacle it was.
For Celtic, another win, a significant gap at the top of the Premiership and cries of "Championees" ringing out from the away end in October.


Match ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 4.
Full Time

90'+4'
Second Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 4.
Goal!

90'+3'
Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 4. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.

90'+2'
Attempt blocked. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Goal!

90'+1'
Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 3. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner.

87'
Foul by Ryan Dow (Ross County).

87'
Moussa Dembele (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

86'
Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Booking

86'
Jay McEveley (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

86'
Alex Schalk (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

86'
Foul by Patrick Roberts (Celtic).

85'
Ian McShane (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

85'
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
Goal!

83'
Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 2. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts.
Substitution

83'
Substitution, Ross County. Alex Schalk replaces Marcus Fraser.

82'
Foul by Tony Dingwall (Ross County).

82'
Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

82'
Attempt saved. Moussa Dembele (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

78'
Attempt missed. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

77'
Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

77'
Foul by Cristian Gamboa (Celtic).

75'
Attempt missed. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

75'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marcus Fraser.

74'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Erik Sviatchenko.
Booking

73'
Craig Gordon (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

73'
Liam Boyce (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

73'
Foul by Craig Gordon (Celtic).
Substitution

70'
Substitution, Ross County. Tony Dingwall replaces Chris Burke.
Substitution

69'
Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces Leigh Griffiths.

68'
Attempt saved. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

67'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.

67'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Craig Gordon.

67'
Attempt saved. Chris Burke (Ross County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

66'
Jay McEveley (Ross County) hits the right post with a header from the centre of the box following a corner.

65'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Mikael Lustig.
Booking

64'
Ryan Dow (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

64'
Foul by Ryan Dow (Ross County).

64'
Scott Sinclair (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution

63'
Substitution, Celtic. Scott Sinclair replaces Liam Henderson.
Substitution

60'
Substitution, Ross County. Jay McEveley replaces Paul Quinn.

59'
Attempt missed. Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.

59'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Kenny van der Weg.
Substitution

58'
Substitution, Celtic. Moussa Dembele replaces Ryan Christie.

56'
Liam Boyce (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

56'
Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).

54'
Attempt saved. Martin Woods (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

52'
Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

51'
Chris Burke (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

51'
Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).

50'
Kenny van der Weg (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

50'
Foul by Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic).

49'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Quinn.

48'
Attempt saved. Liam Henderson (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

47'
Foul by Kenny van der Weg (Ross County).

47'
Liam Henderson (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

46'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Quinn.
Second Half


Second Half begins Ross County 0, Celtic 1.
Half Time

45'+3'
First Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 1.

45'+2'
Attempt missed. Paul Quinn (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right following a corner.

45'+2'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Liam Henderson.

45'+1'
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Erik Sviatchenko.
Booking

44'
Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

44'
(Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.

44'
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).

43'
Attempt missed. Andrew Davies (Ross County) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.

43'
Andrew Davies (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

43'
Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).

42'
Attempt saved. Martin Woods (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

39'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Fox.

38'
Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

34'
Attempt saved. Andrew Davies (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

34'
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic).

34'
Ian McShane (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

33'
Attempt missed. Michael Gardyne (Ross County) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.

31'
Attempt missed. Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left following a corner.

31'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Marcus Fraser.

25'
Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).

25'
Martin Woods (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

24'
Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

20'
Attempt saved. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

20'