2020-11-29: Celtic 0-2 Ross County, League Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 20202021


Trivia

  • Sunday 2pm KO; Betfred Cup/League Cup last 16.
  • Celtic the holders of the trophy; Celtic going for fifth league title in a row! BUT all good things come to an end.
  • Celtic out the cup and so ends the long treble run… Still to complete quadruple treble from last season (postponed Scottish Cup due to Covid)
  • First time Celtic have lost 4 games at home in a row since 1958. 35 game cup record gone. Ross County haven’t beaten an SPFL Premiership team since September and have never won at CP before. Lost to 10 men last week.
  • 2 wins in 10 matches, 13 goals conceded in 5 games, 11pts behind in the league (albeit with two games in hand). Out of Europe.
  • Some Celtic fans head to Celtic Park and minority cause some havoc, venting frustrations. There were ZERO arrests, and only a few bruises! All overblown by the press but still notable. Celtic release a statement on this and mixed views and seen as deflection tactics. Post note: one later charged
  • Celtic were going into this game on a dire run, out of Europe, League title looking beyond the current squad & managers and so on.
  • Neil Lennon was already under the cosh, most fans wanting him out. The sad passing of football legend Diego Maradona has deflected media focus for a few days but will return.
  • Prior to the match: Lennon says had big meeting with senior management of the club, and all behind him etc… Not all convinced. Support has been getting more vocal for change.
  • Alloa Athletic sprung a shock by beating Hearts for the first time in their history to reach the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.
  • Frimpong who was dropped for the 4-1 debacle against Sparta Prague in midweek, will also miss this match. Suspended for the tie and his place is likely to be taken again by Hatem Abd Elhamed. Serving automatic ban following his red card in last season’s final.
  • Movies: Dave Prowse – Green Cross Code Man & Darth Vader actor dies aged 85. RIP
  • Football: Maradona – legendary footballer passed away this past week, and all in mourning. Tributes everywhere.
  • Football: Papa Bouba Diop, one of the heroes of Senegal’s 2002 World Cup has died following a long illness. He was only 42. RIP.
  • Covid:
    • The Scottish Rugby Union has sought permission from the Scottish Government to have 25,000 fans at BT Murrayfield for home matches in next year’s Six Nations.

Summary

“I didn’t think there was a hell of a lot wrong with the performance.”

Neil Lennon on Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Ross County


(JBC of TheCelticWiki)

Firstly Credit where Credit is due, well done to Ross County. Celtic were simply a shambles in this game, and despite bulk of the match, the chances made by Celtic were poor and the tactics were awful. It’s fair to say the heart & confidence has gone out the side, but Ross County have a fraction of the resources at hand, and yet put up a stellar fight in this match whilst Celtic were still in the doldrums. Teams currently have no fear of facing Celtic at present.

There were changes to the side as wanted, but it’s been like swapping deckchairs around on a sinking ship.

So many players need to have a good look at themselves as much as the coaches. The season is unravelling already in front of our eyes.

The strange fact is that this defeat was NOT a surprise, and during the match generate the usual furore as you’d expect as the general support has become numb after recent performances.

It’s clearly over for Lennon’s reign in the eyes of the general support. The next move is up to Lennon, but if not then it’s for the board management to finally make the belated call on his time.

Neil Lennon:

“I know the expectations from supporters and the club and I’m falling short of it just now’

“I feel I should get more time but if not, so be it.”

“The game is a microcosm of the run we are on – a penalty and a set play. We dominated the game but lacked a bit of quality at times.”

“They’re devastated in there. It’s a long run that’s come to an end under my watch so I’m as devastated as them.”

“Seventh penalty we’ve conceded. Poor defending at set pieces. Story of our season. Our final ball at times is poor. We are in a bad moment at the minute. The players are devastated and I’ve got to remain strong for them”.

 Ryan Christie:

“Every single person out on that pitch today was absoloutely desperate to get a result.

‘The most important thing to know is we obviously still care'”

Chris Sutton:

Neil Lennon has been badly let down by his players but he can’t survive this. He’s been a great servant to the club.

John Hartson:

The scenes outside Celtic Park last night were utterly disgraceful.. A club like no other.. faithful through and through.. opinions and bile on social media is one thing but for the players to leave the ground under a police escort is not acceptable.

(TheCelticWiki on Twitter)

This is not just on Neil Lennon. It’s on those who failed to act weeks ago when change was so obviously needed.

Lennon needs to go now and the parasitic Lawwell should follow soon afterwards. He simply cannot be trusted to appoint a successor to the manager.

I wish I could be as indifferent to the current malaise as the players, manager and board appear to be.

Ex-Celt Ramon Vega:

I can’t repeat myself again and  again ,players you are embarrassing YOU have no pride or respect for the club! I don’t care if you play for the coach or not but you are playing for @CelticFC

 once you have that shirt on you have a responsibility on your shoulders.

Paul Larkin:

If you’re going to be smug and belittle fans who want change at Celtic, count me out. If you’d paid attention, this has been coming for a while now. The club needs a full clear out from top to bottom. Otherwise, it just continues to be a cabal making a small group of folk richer.

Celtic U on twitter:

Neil Lennon is a Celtic great. Whatever happens next he deserves to be treated with the respect that his outstanding record merits.

(OSC on KDS):
First goal was always going to be critical given how fragile confidence is just now. As soon as we went 1-0 down, no one wanted the ball and we were a bag of nerves. That second 45 was absolutely dismal. All it would have taken to get back in the game was some composure and sustained pressure and we offered neither. Instead we had Christie shooting from 35 yards and Edouard snatching at chances he’d normally pass into the net. This team desperately needs a line drawn under this period and a new manager with fresh impetus and ideas.


Teams

Celtic:

1Barkas

6Bitton Substituted forMcGregorat 68’minutes

2Jullien

35Ajer

44Elhamed Substituted forDuffyat 79’minutesBooked at 82mins

8Brown

17Christie

93Laxalt

18Rogic Substituted forKlimalaat 84’minutes

10Ajeti     Substituted forElyounoussiat 68’minutes

    22Edouard

Substitutes

    3Taylor

    4Duffy

    11Klimala

    21Ntcham

    27Elyounoussi

    29Bain

    42McGregor

    52Henderson

    56Ralston

Ross County

    1Laidlaw

    15Watson

    25Donaldson

    5Morris

    16Iacovitti

    43Reid  Substituted forRandallat 77’minutes

24PatonBooked at 27mins Substituted forMckayat 89’minutes

18Kelly

11Vigurs

19Lakin

    Substituted for Tillson at 13’minutes

    27Stewart

Substitutes

    2Randall

    7Gardyne

    9Mckay

    14Hylton

    22Tillson

    31Munro

    44Wright

    46Williamson

Goals: Stewart (39′ minutes pen), Iacovitti (84′ minutes

Ref: Kevin Clancy

Att: None (Covid)


Articles

  • Match Report (see below)

Pictures


Match Links


Stats

Celtic

Ross County

Possession

    Home75%

    Away25%

Shots

    Home14

    Away9

Shots on Target

    Home4

    Away6

Corners

    Home7

    Away3

Fouls

    Home8

    Away7


Articles

Chief Executive: We now need strength in adversity

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2020/december/Chief-Executive-We-now-need-strength-in-adversity/

By Celtic Football Club

1 Dec 2020

While the Club has faced a difficult period on the pitch, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has reiterated the Club’s determination to succeed this season and move forward together.

Peter Lawwell said: “Like all those with Celtic’s best interests at heart, everyone at the Club is feeling the same hurt, disappointment and frustration following the team’s recent results. We are accustomed to winning and, of course, our objective will always be for that to continue. There is no complacency whatsoever.

“Neil, the players and backroom staff, who have already done so much for the Club, share in all of that. They have never been more determined to succeed. Having enjoyed such sustained, unprecedented success, we now need strength in adversity. 

“We know that many Celtic supporters share very honest and real concerns and they are being heard by the Club. Every decision taken, both on and off the park, is with the Club’s best interests at heart. This is not about any individual, but about Celtic Football Club as a collective. 

“Together we have faced unique difficulties in the early part of the season. While some of these were beyond our control, of course we recognise we must improve. There is a long way to go and everyone at the Club is ready for the challenge.

“Later this month, Celtic will attempt what no other club in the world has achieved – a quadruple treble in domestic competitions. We can best prepare for that and for our other remaining competitions this season by moving forward together, with the sole aim of achieving continued success for the Club.”

Ross County stun Celtic with 2-0 victory at Parkhead to end Hoops’ long unbeaten cup record

by Andy Skinner

November 29, 2020, 3:53 pm

© SNS Group

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/ross-county/2689948/ross-county-stun-celtic-with-2-0-victory-at-parkhead-to-end-hoops-long-unbeaten-cup-record/Sign up for our daily newsletter featuring the top stories from The Press and Journal.

Ross County claimed a memorable 2-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead to advance to the quarter-finals of the Betfred Cup.

County, who had failed to win against Premiership opposition since September 19, triumphed to end Celtic’s run of 35 domestic cup victories.

Ross Stewart’s first half penalty was followed up by Alex Iacovitti’s late second goal, with a result which piles further pressure on Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

County were forced to make four changes from the side which went down 3-1 to Kilmarnock the previous weekend. On-loan Celtic goalkeeper Ross Doohan was ineligible to face his parent side, with Tom Grivosti, and Regan Charles-Cook not fit enough to feature while Jordan Tillson was left on the bench. Skipper Iain Vigurs, Ross Laidlaw, Keith Watson and Callum Morris were drafted in.

Celtic had won just two of their previous nine matches in all competitions but they were first to threaten on four minutes, with his low strike comfortably gathered by Laidlaw.

County threatened for the first time on 10 minutes when Harry Paton rifled an effort into the side netting after being played through by Ross Stewart’s flick on, however the visitors were dealt a blow three minutes later when Charlie Lakin limped off to be replaced by Tillson.

Celtic’s attempts were limited, with Odsonne Edouard seeing a free-kick well parried by Laidlaw, while Tom Rogic sent a strike just wide following a corner.

© SNS Group

Ross Stewart celebrates his goal for Ross County at Parkhead.

The Staggies were handed the perfect chance to take the lead on 39 minutes, after Josh Reid’s driving run down the left led to a low cross from which Stewart was bundled over by Christopher Julien at the near post.

Stewart composed himself to take the spot kick, and coolly sent Vasilis Barkas the wrong way from 12 yards.

The goal gave the Dingwall men a welcome half-time advantage, although the Hoops survived a scare moments after their opener when Tom Rogic’s flick released Albian Ajeti through on goal, with his effort coming back off the inside of Laidlaw’s left hand post.

County continued to stand firm as Celtic pushed for a leveller in the opening stages of the second half, with Diego Laxalt flashing an effort over the bar before Kristoffer Ajer saw a low strike blocked by the feet of Laidlaw.

Celtic rang the changes midway through the second half and they spurned a fine chance on 69 minutes when Mohamed Elyounoussi nodded wide after being picked out by Rogic’s delivery.

The home side continued to push, with Edouard sending a powerful shot over the bar on the turn following Elyounoussi’s knockdown.

© SNS Group

Ross County players and staff celebrate the victory at Parkhead.

The Staggies made sure of the victory six minutes from time however, when Iain Vigurs’ corner was flicked on by Coll Donaldson at the near post to set up Iacovitti to power home a free header.

Neil Lennon on the brink after Celtic dumped out of cup by Ross County

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/29/celtic-falkirk-scottish-league-cup-match-report

Ewan Murray

@mrewanmurray

Sun 29 Nov 2020 16.38 GMT

Last modified on Sun 29 Nov 2020 22.41 GMT

A disconsolate Neil Lennon admitted he is on the brink of losing the faith of the Celtic board after pressure on the manager intensified with a League Cup defeat by Ross County.

The Dingwall side ran out 2-0 winners at Celtic Park – a fifth defeat in 10 matches for Lennon’s team and the first time Celtic have suffered four home losses in a row since 1958. Afterwards, police intervention was needed as angry supporters gathered outside Celtic’s stadium to call for Lennon’s removal. “I think I should get more time at it but if not, then so be it,” said Lennon.

Pressure on Neil Lennon after Celtic are thrashed by Sparta Prague again

Read more

Amazingly, this was Celtic’s first domestic cup tie defeat in 36 outings. Lennon said: “Yes, of course,” when asked whether his situation was now even more perilous. “Today’s result wouldn’t have helped,” he added.

Lennon retained the backing of the Celtic hierarchy as recently as last week but there is now a rising sense change may be imminent. The lack of an obvious alternative to the Northern Irishman is pertinent but the toxicity around Lennon appears irreparable. The former Celtic managers Gordon Strachan and Martin O’Neill have been mentioned as possible short-term appointments, as has Lennon’s assistant, John Kennedy.

Ross County’s Ross Stewart scores his side’s first goal from the penalty spot.

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Ross County’s Ross Stewart scores his side’s first goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Jeff Holmes/PA

Lennon was accepting of vehement criticism from fans. Celtic trail Rangers by 11 points in the Scottish Premiership but hold two games in hand. “I take it all, it’s my job as the manager,” he said. “I am the face of the football department. It’s my philosophy, my tactics. What I’m trying to work out is, this is more or less the same squad that was rampant last season. They are lacking a little bit of confidence, some of them. We are not playing anywhere near as well as we can and that’s on me.

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“The past doesn’t count for anything at the minute. You live in the present. There is expectation and a demand for excellence at this club. I am not standing here like a happy clapper saying everything is OK, because it’s not. We will do all we can, if I still have the opportunity, to turn things around.”

Police reported that two of their officers had been injured during the protests. “A large number of fans started to gather outside Celtic Park to protest at around 4.30pm,” said superintendent Stevie Dolan.

“An appropriate policing response was carried out and the group has now dispersed,” Dolan added. “No arrests have been made, however two officers sustained minor injuries as a result of the actions of the gathered group. We strongly condemn these actions and remind fans that enforcement options remain at our disposal.”

Toxic element of Celtic support more lost than Neil Lennon as Ryan Christie wounded by “care” questions

It might be more than a manager that is lost at Celtic following the League Cup exit to Ross County.

By Andrew Smith

Monday, 30th November 2020, 6:24 am

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/toxic-element-celtic-support-more-lost-neil-lennon-ryan-christie-wounded-care-questions-3051784

The thuggishness of supporters that clashed with police outside Parkhead after gathering to to tell Neil Lennon to “get tae f***” and turn on the club’s board explose how shamefully toxic an element of Celtic’s fan culture has become.

It was excruciating to watch a team that has been a blitzkreig force in claiming trophies across the longest run of silverware success in the country’s football history see that era end entirely bereft of the fortitude, wit and imagination that had framed it.

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

However, it was far more disturbing to see a neddish element that possesses none of those facets – once staples of a fanbase past admired for faithfulness and humour – ensure the greatest Celtic embarrassment of the day was nothing the failing Lennon and his players did but their actions.

Ryan Christie’s post-match interview had to be cut short as the trouble brewed outside. The trouble brewing inside ahead of that point proved the agonies the attacker was churning through in his mind.

Clearly hurting over a desperate situation created by a sequence that, in bringing Celtic only two wins in 10 games, appears as if it will cost Lennon his job, Christie’s message for an insurrectionist support was to address the charge most levelled at the squad as they have completely buckled under their manager in the past two months.

“I think the most important thing that everybody needs to know is that we still care, “ he said, admitting that players felt responsible for the abuse aimed at Lennon. “When you go on a run like this, people automatically say they don’t care for the club or they’re not trying their best, whereas every single person out on that pitch today was absolutely desperate to get a result to put things right.

“That’s why it is so frustrating when people do say that we’re not caring or we’re not trying our best. Nobody would be at this club or would have done so well in their professional career if they didn’t have that attitude going into every single game.

“But it’s hard, everyone is hurting. We hurt as much as them. It must be horrendous for them sitting at home watching us, the team they love to see win every week. It’s been near perfection over the last however many years, so when a run like this comes along it is a real shock to the system.

“We have to stay within ourselves. It’s frustrating when things don’t go our way and it does get harder to block out the outside noise, but the most important thing is to keep working hard and believe in ourselves and the process.

“It’s the same process that has got us so much success for the last however many years. It’s easy when things go wrong to point your finger at this, that and the other, but we’ve not changed anything going into this season. It’s the same as last season. It’s just one of those runs. We’ve been pretty unstoppable in the last few years and we’ve not come across a run like this. We’re just desperate to get back to that.”

BBC

By Colin MoffatBBC Scotland

Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish silverware is over – and the pressure has intensified on manager Neil Lennon – after they were bundled out of the League Cup at home by Ross County.

Ross Stewart’s first-half penalty and Alex Iacovitti’s late header ended a run of 35 cup wins and earned County a quarter-final at Livingston.

Having picked up every domestic trophy since 2017, Celtic have won just two of their past 10 matches. They also cannot progress in Europe and trail Rangers by 11 points in the Scottish Premiership.

Lennon’s side do have two games in hand as they attempt to win a record 10th league title in a row but were lacklustre against a depleted County side who they had beaten 5-0 in Dingwall in September.

Stuart Kettlewell’s players defended like lions and limited Celtic to just a few chances as they earned a first ever win at Celtic Park.

It was Celtic’s first domestic cup defeat since losing to city rivals Rangers in the 2016 Scottish Cup semi-finals, with County meting out the Glasgow side’s last League Cup loss in January of the same year.

And it is the first time Celtic have suffered four successive home defeats since January 1958 and, afterwards, there was a heavy police presence as hundreds of fans gathered outside to protest.

Celtic huff and puff, but County hold firm

With Callum McGregor given a rare rest after Thursday’s 4-1 reverse away to Sparta Prague, the home side were sluggish in midfield, struggling to break down well organised opponents.

When Ryan Christie was upended by Callum Morris right on the edge of the box Odsonne Edouard’s free kick was beaten away by Ross Laidlaw, while Tom Rogic later shot just wide.

Kristoffer Ajer looked painfully uncomfortable on the left of a three-man Celtic defence but the County opener came from the other flank as Josh Reid suddenly galloped into a huge open space to cross low into the six-yard box.

Stewart nipped in front of Christopher Jullien at the near post, with the defender catching him on the heel. The big striker kept a cool head to roll in his sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Celtic had the perfect opportunity to respond immediately but Albian Ajeti hit the base of a post from 14 yards as he ran on to a cute flick from Rogic.

County rarely ventured out of their own half after the interval, packing bodies in front of their penalty area. And the tactic worked a treat, with Celtic huffing and puffing as an Ajer effort was blocked, Mohamed Elyounoussi headed wide and Edouard hooked a shot over.

The visitors then completed a famous victory when Iacovitti crashed in a header following a flick-on from a corner.

graphic

What they said

Celtic manager Neil Lennon: “If you keep losing games, there is an expectation at this club, there’s a demand for excellence and there’s a demand for wins – I am fully aware of that.

“I am not standing here like the happy clapper saying everything’s okay, because it’s not. But we’ll do everything we can – if I’ve still got the opportunity to do that – to turn things around. Today’s result wouldn’t have helped, put it that way.”

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell: “We’re ecstatic, but the big picture for me is we need to take that on going forward. Sometimes you can upset the odds by sticking together and we’ve done that.

“The players have answered my call. I asked them to stand up and be men and I thought, to a man, they did that.”

‘Clearly issues behind scenes’ – analysis

Former Scotland winger Neil McCann on Sportsound

Celtic have got monumental problems in there now it seems. I wouldn’t like to see Neil Lennon lose his job. I and others feel the players have let him down. There’s something not right in there, there’s clearly issues behind the scenes.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on Sportsound

The players are not responding to him now. You’ve got to question their attitude. That’s the issue at the moment, a group of players who we were singing the praises of and now they’ve gone so far back it’s incredible.

BBC

Neil Lennon: Can Celtic manager survive Ross County defeat after alarming run?

By Andrew SouthwickBBC Scotland

Last updated on

29 November 202029 November 2020.From the section Celtic

Neil Lennon and John Kennedy

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has won just two of his last 10 Celtic matches

For the first time since 1958, Celtic have lost four home games in a row. Out of the Europa League, 11 points behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race, and now out of the League Cup.

Sunday’s 2-0 home loss to Ross County led to fans gathering outside Celtic Park demanding manager Neil Lennon’s head.

What has gone wrong at a club that have won nine consecutive league titles and will claim a fourth consecutive treble should they beat Hearts on 20 December in the Scottish Cup final?

And, crucially, can Lennon survive this crisis to remain as manager?

How has the pressure built?

In August, Celtic suffered their earliest Champions League exit in 15 years after falling to a shock defeat at the hands of Hungary’s Ferencvaros in Glasgow.

Then, defender Boli Bolingoli was found to have broken strict Covid-19 protocols, earning the wrath of the club and leading to Celtic having two games postponed.

Amid that, though, Lennon’s side won eight of their first nine league games as they chase the fabled 10 league titles in a row. But then their problems really began.

They lost meekly 2-0 at home to Rangers, 3-1 against AC Milan in the Europa League, dropped more points in a 3-3 draw at Aberdeen. And, although drew with Lille in France and beat Aberdeen 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final, they have since been thrashed 4-1 home and away by Sparta Prague.

All in all, it is just two wins in their last 10 games.

Celtic’s form

What is Lennon saying?

Surely a home tie against a Ross County side who had never won at Celtic Park and hadn’t beaten a top-flight team in seven attempts would enable them to steady the ship? Apparently not.

Goals from Ross Stewart and Alex Iacovitti knocked Celtic out of the League Cup and inflicted their first domestic cup loss in 36 games, a record stretching back to a penalty shoot-out loss to Rangers in 2016.

Afterwards, Lennon conceded his previous record in two spells – winning five titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup – “doesn’t count for anything at the minute”.

“If you keep losing games, there is an expectation at this club, there’s a demand for excellence and there’s a demand for wins – I am fully aware of that,” he said.

“I am not standing here like the happy clapper saying everything’s okay, because it’s not. But we’ll do everything we can, if I’ve still got the opportunity to do that, to turn things around.

“Today’s result wouldn’t have helped, put it that way.”

Is it the fault of the players?

Speaking on Sportsound, former Scotland striker Billy Dodds pointed the finger at five Celtic players in particular, saying he thinks they have “chucked it”.

“This was their chance to step up, show all these rumours [that Lennon had lost the dressing room] were not true. Show they were with the manager, that they are still good players, that they can challenge Rangers. But I saw none of that.

“I thought the Celtic performance defensively was horrific and, going forward, I honestly thought a lot of the players had chucked it. Albian Ajeti, Odsonne Edouard, Tom Rogic, Haten Abd Elhamed… there was just nothing. Kristoffer Ajer, too. I don’t he’s as good as he thinks he is.

“Neil Lennon has done a lot for the club. When he needed these players today – they let him down.”

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner concurred, saying “the players are not responding to him” and questioned their attitude. “They’ve gone so far back it’s incredible,” he added.

What’s next for Celtic?

Whether Lennon remains in his post or not will be known in the coming days, but the games are still coming thick and fast.

On Thursday, Celtic travel to face an in-form AC Milan side who are leading Italy’s Serie A. Then, in the Premiership, four of their next five games are at home.

The Scottish Cup final with Hearts is three weeks away, with a potentially-defining trip to Ibrox to take on leaders Rangers 12 days later.

Lennon said on Friday that he had the “full support” of chief executive Peter Lawwell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond. The next few days will show if that it still the case.

Match ends, Celtic 0, Ross County 2.

90’+5′

Full Time

Second Half ends, Celtic 0, Ross County 2.

90’+1′

Post update

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).

90’+1′

Post update

Billy Mckay (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90′

Post update

Attempt saved. Patryk Klimala (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Diego Laxalt with a cross.

89′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Billy Mckay replaces Harrison Paton.

88′

Post update

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Vasilios Barkas.

88′

Post update

Attempt saved. Connor Randall (Ross County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

87′

Post update

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

84′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Tomas Rogic.

84′

Goal!

Goal! Celtic 0, Ross County 2. Alex Iacovitti (Ross County) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a corner.

83′

Post update

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Callum McGregor.

82′

Booking

Shane Duffy (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

82′

Post update

Foul by Shane Duffy (Celtic).

82′

Post update

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

81′

Post update

Offside, Ross County. Harrison Paton tries a through ball, but Ross Stewart is caught offside.

79′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Shane Duffy replaces Hatem Elhamed.

79′

Post update

Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Mohamed Elyounoussi.

77′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Connor Randall.

77′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Connor Randall replaces Josh Reid.

76′

Post update

Diego Laxalt (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.

76′

Post update

Foul by Coll Donaldson (Ross County).

74′

Post update

Hand ball by Keith Watson (Ross County).

69′

Post update

Attempt missed. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Tomas Rogic with a cross.

68′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Callum McGregor replaces Nir Bitton.

68′

Substitution

Substitution, Celtic. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Albian Ajeti.

68′

Post update

Attempt missed. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Christopher Jullien.

66′

Post update

Attempt saved. Ross Stewart (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Iain Vigurs with a cross.

65′

Post update

Foul by Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic).

65′

Post update

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

61′

Post update

Offside, Celtic. Ryan Christie tries a through ball, but Odsonne Edouard is caught offside.

60′

Post update

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

60′

Post update

Foul by Iain Vigurs (Ross County).

60′

Post update

Attempt saved. Stephen Kelly (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Josh Reid.

58′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.

58′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.

55′

Post update

Attempt saved. Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Albian Ajeti.

54′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Coll Donaldson.

54′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie.

53′

Post update

Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Scott Brown.

52′

Post update

Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

52′

Post update

Foul by Stephen Kelly (Ross County).

51′

Post update

Attempt missed. Diego Laxalt (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a headed pass.

48′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Iain Vigurs (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Stephen Kelly.

Second Half

Second Half begins Celtic 0, Ross County 1.

45’+5′

Half Time

First Half ends, Celtic 0, Ross County 1.

45’+4′

Post update

Hatem Elhamed (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

45’+4′

Post update

Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).

45′

Post update

Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).

45′

Post update

Alex Iacovitti (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

43′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Watson.

41′

Post update

Albian Ajeti (Celtic) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.

39′

Post update

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

38′

Post update

Penalty conceded by Christopher Jullien (Celtic) after a foul in the penalty area.

38′

Post update

Penalty Ross County. Ross Stewart draws a foul in the penalty area.

36′

Post update

Attempt saved. Harrison Paton (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jordan Tillson.

32′

Post update

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.

31′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jordan Tillson.

30′

Post update

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

27′

Booking

Harrison Paton (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

26′

Post update

Christopher Jullien (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

26′

Post update

Foul by Harrison Paton (Ross County).

23′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Keith Watson.

22′

Post update

Attempt missed. Jordan Tillson (Ross County) header from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Iain Vigurs with a cross following a set piece situation.

22′

Post update

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).

22′

Post update

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

17′

Post update

Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

16′

Post update

Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

16′

Post update

Foul by Callum Morris (Ross County).

13′

Substitution

Substitution, Ross County. Jordan Tillson replaces Charlie Lakin because of an injury.

10′

Post update

Attempt missed. Harrison Paton (Ross County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ross Stewart with a headed pass.

9′

Post update

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).

9′

Post update

Charlie Lakin (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

9′

Post update

Attempt blocked. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a cross.

8′

Post update

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Coll Donaldson.

5′

Post update

Attempt saved. Ryan Christie (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Albian Ajeti.

4′

Post update

Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Christopher Jullien.

3′

Post update

Foul by Hatem Elhamed (Celtic).

3′

Post update

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

Kick Off

First Half begins.

Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell blasts ‘despicable’ Celtic fans for ‘souring’ special day

Stuart Kettlewell has described as “despicable” the chaotic scenes he witnessed outside Celtic Park following Ross County’s 2-0 Betfred Cup win on Sunday.

By Ronnie Esplin

Tuesday, 1st December 2020, 11:55 am

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ross-county-boss-stuart-kettlewell-blasts-despicable-celtic-fans-souring-special-day-3053535

After the holders lost their first domestic cup game in 36 outings, hundreds gathered outside the stadium to vent their fury and boss Neil Lennon could hear fans calling for his removal as he walked into the post-match media conference.

The Parkhead club said in a later statement that some players were left “shaken” after being targeted by missiles while police said three officers had suffered minor injuries, with footage showing some fans kicking down and throwing barriers.

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

Kettlewell and his players saw it all unfold as they waited on the team bus.

He said: “We did have to get a police escort out of Parkhead and on to the motorway.

“The police to my mind dealt with the situation very well, they were excellent.

“It is was absolutely despicable. The whole situation for me soured a brilliant day for our club. It was a great day for our club.

“We understand what it means to Celtic and how despondent their fans would be and their players and officials would be.

“It is football, we all know that that happens but you have to realise we are in the middle of a global pandemic here and some of the scenes I see sitting on the bus, watching police fighting and trying their damndest to stop guys breaking the perimeter barriers they set out was just despicable.

“If we look at the bigger picture outside football, we have police wrestling with people who potentially could have the virus and they are putting themselves in the front line to try to contain a situation.

“What Neil Lennon has done for Celtic as a player, a captain and manager, I certainly think he deserves a helluva more respect than what he and his players got on Sunday.

“I am not a Celtic official, I am not a Celtic supporter, Ross County is obviously my concern but I can only speak through sitting in that car park waiting to get away from Parkhead and it’s not scenes any of us want to see in Scottish football.

“Hopefully it is an isolated situation we don’t see again and people take heed that it is totally unacceptable.”