2020-09-12: Ross County 0-5 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022

Trivia

Back after internationals break
Saturday 3pm kick-off, all SP games played at 3pm today! First time in long time. Fans able to watch the game va PPV stream from Ross County.
Debut for Shane Duffy – and he scores! Ajeti – Third goal already! Great start. 3 successive league games
Debut for David Turnbull
Celtic third with two games in hand; Sevco on top and have not conceded goal in the league.
Ross County v Celtic and Aberdeen v Kilmarnock matches used as test events with 300 home supporters allowed at each. Sevco v D Utd vetoed due to increase in coronavirus cases in Glasgow and the surrounding area. Scottish rugby has already staged a match with fans, with 700 spectators at Murrayfield for the Edinburgh v Glasgow Pro14 clash on 28 August.
The return of fans to Scottish sports stadiums has been delayed until 5 October at the earliest, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced; this match is a test event.
COVID: Lockdown measures reintroduced in Glasgow, Dunbartonshire & East Renfrewshire for two weeks. Extended later to other parts of West of Scotland including all of Lanarkshire.
Shetlands looking to a vote for independence from Scottish devolution!
Transfers:
Shane Duffy signed for Celtic on loan; the new boy slammed a home stoppage-time header for Ireland in 1-1 away draw with Bulgaria in Nations League.
Klimala scores for Poland U21s.
mon Donnelly has been appointed the Assistant Manager of League 2 side Brechin City. The 45-year-old was most recently the Assistant Manager to Jackie McNamara at English League Two side York City but has been out of coaching work since October 2016
Sevco match: Pundit Michael Stewart hit out at the reaction from Sevco to a challenge on Alfredo Morelos. Sevco boss Steven Gerrard said if the shoe was on the other foot it would have been different. Stewart said he was “sick and tired” of the Colombian being made out to be the victim.
Transfers:
- Shane Duffy signed for Celtic on loan with option to purchase
- Report claims: Celtic have had a loan bid for Paris Saint Germain left back Mitchel Bakker knocked back
- Celtic target Aaron Hickey has signed for Bologna for £1.5m from Hearts. Good luck to him.
- Ex-Celtic loanee Oli Burke gets surprise Premier League move to Sheffield United. Good luck to him.
- Reports: Boli Bolingoli, brought to Parkhead for £3m last summer, is closing in on a shock move to Roma after talks on Tuesday, that’s according to Tuttomercatoweb. Later stated that Roma backing away! Latest says 2 Turkish clubs after him. {He left on loan the next day to Turkey}
- Celtic youth player Scott Robertson has joined Gillingham on a season-long loan. Good luck to him.

Summary

‘This was not a battering…’

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell says despite losing 5-0 to Celtic, his side were “the dominant team” in the first half.

Celtic played a 3-5-2 formation. Not all are convinced, and there were big communication problems between Barkas & his central defence (esp Julien).

(CB of KDS)

Various Positives :-

Barkas – had an excellent game

Duffy – you can see what he brings

The strikers – 4 games in and they have nine goals between them. Klimala clearly needs works on his finishing but his pace and getting into positions is good.

Going up there and winning by 5-0 is a great result. Maybe the scoreline flattered us a bit but we were still worthy winners.

Need a left wing back and I would argue someone to take the workload from Broony. Given that we are being linked with a plethora of wingers, I assume we are still looking at one. What about Kerk of Utrecht who we apparently bid for in January ?

(JBC of KDS)

Good to see Klimala score. Seems a decent player and needs gametime. Scuffed one good chance but made up for it.

Teams

Ross County

1Laidlaw
2Randall
25Donaldson
16Iacovitti
43Reid
11Vigurs Substituted forKellyat 80’minutes
7Gardyne Substituted for Charles-Cook at 79’minutes
22TillsonBooked at 56mins Substituted forDraperat 65’minutes
24Paton
27Stewart
9Mckay Substituted for Shaw at 32’minutes

Substitutes

5Morris
6Draper
8Shaw
15Watson
17Charles-Cook
18Kelly
31Munro
44Wright
47Mackinnon

Celtic

1Barkas
4Duffy
2Jullien
35AjerBooked at 13mins
8Brown Substituted forTurnbullat 77’minutes
30Frimpong
21Ntcham Substituted forElyounoussiat 71’minutes
42McGregor Substituted forSoroat 78’minutes
49Forrest
10Ajeti Substituted forKlimalaat 62’minutes
22Edouard Substituted forChristieat 71’minutes

Substitutes

3Taylor
11Klimala
12Soro
14Turnbull
17Christie
27Elyounoussi
29Bain
44Elhamed
57Welsh

Goals:

Edouard (4′ minutes pen),
Ajeti (20′ minutes),
Duffy (59′ minutes),
Ajer (64′ minutes),
Klimala (75′ minutes)

Assists

McGregor (59′ minutes),
Ntcham (64′ minutes),
Elyounoussi (75′ minutes)

Referee:

Andrew Dallas

Attendance:

300

Articles

Match Report (see below)

Pictures

Match Pictures

Match Links

Stats

Ross County

Celtic

Possession

Home42%

Away58%

Shots

Home9

Away18

Shots on Target

Home5

Away10

Corners

Home4

Away7

Fouls

Home13

Away11

Articles

Celtic flattered by five-goal haul in front of socially-distanced crowd

Five different scorers for champions, including debut boy Duffy

By Andrew Smith

Saturday, 12th September 2020, 5:43 pm

Updated

21 hours ago

Celtic manager Neil Lennon with debutant Shane Duffy (centre) and Scott Brown (right) after the win over Ross County. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-flattered-five-goal-haul-front-socially-distanced-crowd-2969770

If the thought that even having a small knot of fans back in a football stadium would make the spectacle feel more familiar, it didn’t work out that way. Here was an oddity of an afternoon all round, frankly.

Celtic were flattered by a five-goal haul – the most notable strike coming from debutant Shane Duffy – in which their keeper Vasilis Barkas was crucial, and in spells during the first period the Highland club exhibited a fluency their visitors couldn’t match. With the 300 County followers seated symmetrically in socially distanced rows, and initially only prone to bouts of polite applause, there was a choreography to this Covid-19 test event that wouldn’t have seemed out of place in a North Korean celebration.

Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports

There wasn’t much regimented about Celtic in the first period – even allowing for Odsonne Edouard getting them off to the perfect start four minutes in when a jersey pull from Jordan Tillson allowed him to convert from an elongated, stuttering penalty run-up. Albian Ajeti demonstrated his predatory instincts to spin in a blur and thump in a close-range shot Ross Laidlaw allowed to go through him after 20 minutes, but still Celtic seemed vulnerable.

Duffy contributed with a couple of shaky moments, and across the encounter Barkas had to make three smart blocks, while Stuart Kettlewell’s men also had two efforts clip the goalframe.

It was a strange pattern that developed, with Brighton loanee Duffy berthed in a back three as Lennon switched to 3-5-2, before he required to switch his players on fully with stern comments at half-time.

“I had to have a word with the players at half-time,” the Celtic manager said. “We were just too passive for my liking and a little bit slow tempo with the ball and that’s not the way we want to play. Second half was a lot better. We closed the distances a lot better.”

County lost a little heart after Duffy climbed steeply to power in a 59th-minute header from a Callum McGregor corner. “We all know what the club means to him, to score on his debut was just great,” said Lennon. “I think after the goal he just looked peerless, just outstanding. He’s getting used to us, our style of play and we’re getting used to him. But it’s been a good day’s work for him.”

Shane Duffy bursting with pride but glad Celtic debut is over

An ultimately good day’s work for Celtic brought a fourth and fifth goal in the closing stages. Kristoffer Ajer, pictured inset, billowed the net from a driven-in low cross from Olivier Ntcham in 64 minutes. It allowed Lennon to introduce a raft of substitutions, and a classy cameo on his debut from David Turnbull and Patryk Klimala thumping in a 75th-minute fifth for the Scottish champions allowed Lennon to gush over a range of positives. “I was delighted to put him [Turnbull] on,” said the Celtic manager. “He’s a good player and showed some nice touches, as did Soro when he came on.

“I think we’ve done good business in the window and if we don’t bring in any more players, hopefully, don’t lose any more, I’ll be really happy with what we’ve got.”

Contrastingly, Kettlewell could only despair at the unfairness of the day’s events, while claiming the 300 fans made a “big difference” in making the encounter “resemble more of a football match”.

“Everyone that was here could see how well we performed in large parts and it’s so hard to take,” the Ross County manager said. “I won’t make a case for getting something out of the game when you lose 5-0 but we never went on the back foot.”

BBC

By Martin WattBBC Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54038442

12 hours ago12 hours ago.From the section Scottish Premiership

Shane Duffy’s header gave Celtic a 3-0 lead after the break

Shane Duffy said he “feels a lot of pressure” to succeed at Celtic after scoring on his debut in a 5-0 Scottish Premiership rout of Ross County.

The Republic of Ireland defender headed the third after Odsonne Edouard’s early penalty and Albian Ajeti’s strike for the champions at Dingwall.

Kristoffer Ajer and Patryk Klimala also scored to keep Celtic six points behind leaders Rangers with two games in hand.

“It wasn’t perfect out there, but I’m my biggest critic,” said Duffy.

“I’m positive it will grow and get better. I’m delighted to get a wining start and clean sheet.”

Reaction & as it happened

How did you rate the players

Describing his debut as “a dream come true”, the on-loan Brighton centre-back – who is a lifelong Celtic fan – added: “I tried not to overthink it, I had to do my job. I know there’s a lot of pressure on me to come up here and do well.

“The first half was a bit edgy and we weren’t really happy, we had a to fix a few things at half-time.”

County, with about 300 home fans watching in a test event for the return of supporters, hit the post either side of half-time but had no answer to Celtic’s attacking power.

The Glasgow side’s switch to a back three allowed them to play to their strengths and pair Edouard and Ajeti up front for the first time. The effect was devastating, although it came with a couple of nervy moments at the other end.

County could not take advantage, with Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas impressing as he tipped a Vigurs free-kick on to the upright and saved smartly from a near-post Ross Stewart header.

Celtic were 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, with both goals a gift. Coll Donaldson clipped Edouard, allowing the striker to send Ross Laidlaw the wrong way from the spot, and then Ajeti lashed in from six yards on his first start after the hosts made a mess of trying to clear a free-kick. It is now three goals in three league outings for the Switzerland international.

Duffy’s thumping header from a Callum McGregor corner put the result beyond doubt on the hour and Ajer soon made it four from Olivier Ntcham’s low delivery.

Klimala, having failed to convert from close range after wonderful build-up play from Edouard, made amends by punishing a botched Vigurs backpass to round off the champions’ third straight league win.

Man of the match – Odsonne Edouard

The Celtic striker, back after a two-game absence, scored the first, linked play well, and could have had a second had he not unselfishly squared for Klimala

What did we learn?

Celtic need to stick with a 3-5-2. Lennon admitted pre-match it is his favoured formation, with only his strikers’ lack of fitness preventing him deploying it until now. Edouard dovetailed well with Ajeti, whose predatory instincts again came to the fore.

And while it can leave them vulnerable in defence, particularly down the flanks where Jeremie Frimpong and James Forrest marauded forward, it is a trade-off worth taking. Duffy slotted in seamlessly to the back three, gave notice of his goal threat, and will only improve when his match fitness is up to scratch.

County, meanwhile, must eradicate the lapses at the back. They remain in the top six, but have the league’s second worst defensive record with 11 goals conceded.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side offered plenty of enterprising forward play, only to have it undermined by losing soft goals.

What did they say?

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell: “It was a crazy game. We were the dominant team in the first half and created the best opportunities by far in open play. We got done by a free-kick and penalty.

“The big differences came in the 18-yard boxes, we didn’t defend well enough. Outwith that, we created so many chances and had to be more ruthless.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “First half we were a little bit off it, which was to be expected with a few changes and different system. As the game went on we looked far more powerful.

“Our goalkeeper made some great saves as well – which is something we’ll have to look at – but I’m delighted for him and it was an all-round good team performance in the end.”

What’s next?

Celtic will be eyeing another win when they travel to coronavirus-hit St Mirren on Wednesday, while Ross County are away to St Johnstone on Saturday.

Post update

Match ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 5.

90’+3′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 5.

90’+3′

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David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

90’+3′

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Foul by Oli Shaw (Ross County).

90’+2′

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Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by James Forrest.

87′

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Foul by Patryk Klimala (Celtic).

87′

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Josh Reid (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.

86′

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Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Shane Duffy.

85′

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Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

85′

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Foul by Ross Draper (Ross County).

84′

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Attempt missed. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross following a set piece situation.

83′

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Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

83′

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Foul by Josh Reid (Ross County).

83′

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Attempt saved. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by David Turnbull.

82′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.

80′

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Patryk Klimala (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

80′

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Foul by Ross Draper (Ross County).

80′

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Oli Shaw (Ross County) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box from a direct free kick.

80′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Stephen Kelly replaces Iain Vigurs.

79′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Regan Charles-Cook replaces Michael Gardyne.

79′

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Hand ball by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).

78′

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Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).

78′

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Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

78′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Ismaila Soro replaces Callum McGregor.

77′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Scott Brown.

77′

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Attempt missed. Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.

75′

Goal!

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 5. Patryk Klimala (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.

74′

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Hand ball by Callum McGregor (Celtic).

72′

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Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Shane Duffy.

72′

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Attempt blocked. Ross Stewart (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

72′

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Attempt saved. Ross Draper (Ross County) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.

72′

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Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Scott Brown.

71′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Olivier Ntcham.

71′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Ryan Christie replaces Odsonne Edouard.

70′

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Attempt blocked. Oli Shaw (Ross County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Connor Randall.

69′

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Attempt blocked. Patryk Klimala (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

69′

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Attempt saved. Shane Duffy (Celtic) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer.

65′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Ross Draper replaces Jordan Tillson.

64′

Goal!

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 4. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Olivier Ntcham following a corner.

64′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ross Stewart.

62′

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Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

62′

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Foul by Oli Shaw (Ross County).

62′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Albian Ajeti.

59′

Goal!

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 3. Shane Duffy (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross following a corner.

58′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Coll Donaldson.

57′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Connor Randall.

56′

Booking

Jordan Tillson (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

56′

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Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

56′

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Foul by Jordan Tillson (Ross County).

55′

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Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

55′

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Foul by Coll Donaldson (Ross County).

53′

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Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Shane Duffy following a corner.

52′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.

51′

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Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).

51′

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Harrison Paton (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

50′

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Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.

48′

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Attempt saved. Ross Stewart (Ross County) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Michael Gardyne.

48′

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Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kristoffer Ajer.

Second Half

Second Half begins Ross County 0, Celtic 2.

45’+2′

Half Time

First Half ends, Ross County 0, Celtic 2.

43′

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Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

43′

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Foul by Jordan Tillson (Ross County).

42′

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Offside, Celtic. Jeremie Frimpong tries a through ball, but Albian Ajeti is caught offside.

39′

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Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

39′

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Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).

37′

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Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).

37′

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

35′

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Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Olivier Ntcham.

34′

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Albian Ajeti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

34′

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Foul by Iain Vigurs (Ross County).

32′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Oli Shaw replaces Billy Mckay because of an injury.

31′

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Attempt saved. Ross Stewart (Ross County) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Billy Mckay with a cross.

29′

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Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

28′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Harrison Paton.

28′

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Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jeremie Frimpong.

27′

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Offside, Ross County. Ross Stewart tries a through ball, but Jordan Tillson is caught offside.

24′

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Offside, Celtic. Olivier Ntcham tries a through ball, but Albian Ajeti is caught offside.

24′

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Attempt saved. Billy Mckay (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Josh Reid with a cross.

23′

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Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).

23′

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Ross Stewart (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

22′

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Vasilios Barkas (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

22′

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Foul by Billy Mckay (Ross County).

21′

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Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Jeremie Frimpong.

20′

Goal!

Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 2. Albian Ajeti (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.

20′

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James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

20′

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Foul by Iain Vigurs (Ross County).

18′

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Attempt missed. Connor Randall (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Michael Gardyne.

16′

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Attempt saved. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a cross.

16′

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Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alex Iacovitti.

14′

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Foul by Christopher Jullien (Celtic).

14′

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Billy Mckay (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.

14′

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Attempt saved. Iain Vigurs (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

13′

Booking

Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

13′

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Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).

13′

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Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

11′

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Offside, Ross County. Ross Laidlaw tries a through ball, but Billy Mckay is caught offside.

10′

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Offside, Ross County. Iain Vigurs tries a through ball, but Billy Mckay is caught offside.

10′

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Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).

10′

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Iain Vigurs (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.

4′

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Goal! Ross County 0, Celtic 1. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

3′

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Penalty Celtic. Odsonne Edouard draws a foul in the penalty area.

3′

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Penalty conceded by Jordan Tillson (Ross County) after a foul in the penalty area.

2′

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Foul by Olivier Ntcham (Celtic).

2′

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Iain Vigurs (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Kick Off

First Half begins.

Posted at 18:12 12 Sep18:12 12 Sep

Post update

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.