Celtic entertained Ross County this afternoon in what was a must win match for the Hoops. Ange Postecoglou made a number of enforced changes to the side which lost at Ibrox prior to the international break, as new Bhoys Carter-Vickers and Jota slotted into the team in place of Stephen Welsh and Kyogo Furuhashi (injured). In addition to those two alterations, Greg Taylor returned to the starting 11 after a short spell on the sidelines with injury; he replaced Anthony Ralston, who was omitted from the squad due to illness. Meanwhile, the departed duo of Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie were obviously no longer available for selection and the pair’s positions were filled by Tom Rogic and Albian Ajeti, respectively.
The hosts got off to a bright start with Jota testing Laidlaw’s gloves inside the first five minutes. The Portuguese winger played with great purpose throughout the first half, flashing an outstanding ball across the face of goal with no takers, and blazing over the bar from close range with an effort of his own.
Jota’s endeavour was matched by his colleague on the opposite flank as Liel Abada struck the crossbar on two occasions, before missing a golden opportunity from five yards. That latter chance occurred when Tom Rogic delivered a delightful low cross into the box, and the Australian got in behind the defence moments later, only to see another of his sublime crosses go begging as no-one was on hand to take advantage.
Having missed a multitude of chances, the Bhoys appeared sure to go in front when Ajeti raced clear. However, the striker could only find Laidlaw’s gloves with a one-on-one opportunity. Celtic were almost made to pay for those errors in front of goal as Ross County twice broke on the counter and sent two dangerous balls across the six yard line. Fortunately, those deliveries evaded any attackers, but it highlighted the need for the Hoops to get their noses in front and cut out any further uncharacteristically slack passes in midfield.
According to Google, Celtic went into the break with 81% of the possession and 11 shots to their name, as compared to Ross County’s two. Yet, for all their incisive play, it was almost a long range shot from David Turnbull which broke the deadlock. However, Malky Mackay’s team could breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing the ball nestle into the side netting on the wrong side of the post.
The home side’s momentum was interrupted after the break when Greg Taylor had to be replaced by Montgomery, although the youngster did tremendously well at left back. That slow start to the second 45 lasted until Cameron Carter-Vickers gave Celtic the lead with a deflected long range strike in the 64th minute.
Suddenly, the game exploded into life as Joe Hart made a great save from a goal bound header inside the six yard box. That stop, which protected Celtic’s lead, took place in the 67th minute. Seconds later, Postecoglou introduced Ismaila Soro to sure up the midfield, whilst allowing Callum McGregor to take a well earned rest ahead of Thursday night’s fixture in Seville. The skipper had barely taken his seat in the dugout before Albian Ajeti headed home Abada’s tantalising cross to give Celtic a two goal cushion.
Play settled for a short while thereafter, until Turnbull almost found the net with a superb effort from the edge of the box, following some excellent link up play with Ajeti. A minute after that chance, the manager made another change by substituting Rogic for McCarthy. The latter played a huge part in Celtic’s third goal, as he rattled the crossbar with a header from Turnbull’s pinpoint cross, but Ajeti was on hand to nod home the rebound and bag a confidence boosting brace.
The full time whistle sounded with Celtic comfortable winners. The Hoops concluded the match with 21 shots and 78% of possession – statistics which typify a style of play that has become known as “Angeball”.
Dafabet Man of the Match: Cameron Carter-Vickers
