Four in a row
Inverness slumped to a fourth successive defeat at the hands of SPL Championees Celtic's second eleven as they overturned the loss of an early Nick Ross goal to eventually run out comfortable 3-1 winners, despite a series of goalmouth scrambles in the visitors box. Goals from Commons, Gershon and Miku sealed our fate.
Ryan Esson retained the keepers jersey with Toni Reguero on the bench. Andy Shinnie was passed fit, and Ross Draper returned after suspension for the injured Richie Foran, with Nick Ross on from the start and he made an early impact in the ninth minute.
Celtic had one eye on Juventus and there were rare outings for Paddy McCourt, Dylan McGeouch, and new Bhoy's Tom Rogic and Rami Gershon, with Forster returning from injury in goal. In fact Celtic fielded nine changes, Anthony Stokes up front with Miku and Kayal backing them up and young Marcus Fraser in defence, such is the depth of the Celtic squad. Inverness were left to pack the bench with youngsters, the tea lady and half-time raffle ticket sellers.
Early kick off and TV saw plenty empty seats in the home end with latecomers filling the away end nicely as the game kicked off on a mild February afternoon, Inverness attacking to the away end and it was a bright start by the home side, taking the game to the re-arranged Celtic squad.
Billy McKay was first to threaten as he curled a left footed effort just wide after Shinnie and Draper combined and fed him a ball on the edge of the box, Forster looking on seemingly unperturbed.
The visitors defence had looked a bit shaky from the start and Inverness capitalised on some slackness. Doran fired a ball into the box which was blocked by big Fraser Forster and Nick Ross pounced on the loose ball to drive it low into the corner of the net from the edge of the box, right in front of the Celtic fans to stun the away support. Mind you, I did think that the 'Champions League, yer havin a laff,' chant was a bit presumptuous to be honest
Inverness then went back into their shell as Celtic got to grips with the game and ten minutes later Kris Commons met a Rogic cut back flush on the run at the far side of the box and he sent a thunderous strike high past Esson from fifteen yards. No chance for Ryan on his home return to action, although we maybe never covered ourselves in glory as Rogic sprinted to the bye-line.
Celtic now had the upper hand as we sat deeper and Rogic fired over from a Stokes cut back. We were living a tad dangerously and Celtic were awarded a soft free kick in a prime position, but Commons almost took out the camera man at the rear of the stand with this effort.
This woke Inverness up and we managed to secure a bit more of the ball as half time approached with Andy Shinnie passing up our best moment as his attempt looped over the bar.
Half-Time 1-1
Craig Thomson did not endear himself to the home support ignoring a penalty claim as the ball appeared to come of Fraser's elbow and Inverness were made to pay shortly after when Gershon rose highest to nod Celtic ahead after only 48 minutes. Loose defending by Inverness where Gary Warren has had better days.
Once more Inverness handed the initiative to Celtic and we were under the cosh somewhat and Stokes had another free header which came back off the face of the bar as we struggled to clear our lines.
However, as in the first half, we weathered the storm and exerted some pressure on the Celtic goal, Nick Ross' shot rebounding and Billy McKay being blocked on the line by some desperate Celtic defending, but they kept the ball out. Things were looking a bit more promising but as per normal, when chasing the game, along comes the sucker punch. At 2-1, Inverness were still in with a shout and looked likeliest to get the next goal which would have seen us take at least a point, but alas, it was not to be.
Another goal line melee in the Celtic six yard box ended with Miku scoring at the other end and it was game over. The clearance was transferred quickly by Watt to Stokes and on to Miku, who stroked the ball past an exposed Ryan Esson. The same player also rattled the post with a close range flick as the game ran away from Inverness despite our best efforts.
We still huffed and puffed but were unable to penetrate the visitors back row and Celtic saw out the game for an ultimately comfortable three points despite some frantic attempts and some misfortune in front of goal.
Full-Time 1-3
Terry gave his post match interview with some background seat slamming thrown in and David Raven has his say on the match.
tm4tj MotM:- No massive standouts in the home ranks but Andy Shinnie showed his class although he did look to be nursing himself a little and played within himself, but still good enough to get the nod from me. Owain Tudur-Jones also looked classy and his range of passing was sometimes spectacular, other times frustrating and he tried a few shots goalwards. Doran tried hard, but unlike his Celtic counterparts, his final ball was more often a let down.
One man certainly not getting any awards is the baffling Craig Thomson. Only he will know why he stopped a promising attack to let Kayal receive attention, despite the player holding onto his leg whilst lying in the penalty box. He also allowed Celtic to break up play with persistent fouling which if taken accumulatively should surely have warranted a card or two. He's definitely off the Xmas card list.
So that's four in a row now, but this was not an unexpected result although disappointing. On the other hand, we still retained second spot in the league with Motherwell losing at Kilmarnock and we also have a quick opportunity to get back on track as Killie visit Inverness on Wednesday night. Motherwell also finished their game with only nine men on the field which may rule them out for the next game or two, so it's not just us that are looking over our shoulders. The pack are closing in slowly but surely with only Dundee being cut adrift and Ross County now only five points behind second spot. Surely not!
9th Feb 2013 (12:00)
Scottish Premier League
Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Inverness C.T.
1 - Ross (9)
TEAM: Esson, Raven, Warren, Meekings, G.Shinnie, Ross (Roberts 76), Draper, Tudur-Jones, Doran, (Sutherland 88) A.Shinnie, McKay
SUBS: Reguero, Devine, Taylor, Pepper, Polwarth
Booked: none
Sent Off: none
Celtic
3 - Commons (20), Gershon (4), Miku (82)
TEAM: Forster, Gershon (Mathews 66), Rogne, Fraser, Commons (Chalmers 46) Rogic, McCourt (Watt 78), Kayal, McGeouch, Miku, Stokes
SUBS: Zaluska, Herron, Nouioui, Atajic
Booked: none
Sent Off: none
Referee
Craig Thomson
Attendance
6175
