{"id":8211,"date":"2015-11-29T14:13:52","date_gmt":"2015-11-29T14:13:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8211"},"modified":"2015-11-29T14:17:56","modified_gmt":"2015-11-29T14:17:56","slug":"celtic-go-7-points-clear-at-the-top","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8211","title":{"rendered":"Celtic go 7 points clear at the Top"},"content":{"rendered":"

Inverness \u00a0Caley\u00a01 -3 Celtic<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a sad old week at home, it was time for a trip to the Highlands.
\nCould Celtic bounce back after recent setbacks. Could Ronnie roar his young cubs on to victory.
\nA sodden Inverness awaited to tell the answers to such questions.<\/p>\n

Celtic lined up with
\n01 Gordon
\n23 Lustig
\n05 Simunovic
\n20 Boyata
\n63 Tierney
\n25 Johansen
\n06 Bitton
\n14 Armstrong
\n18 Rogic
\n42 McGregor
\n09 Griffiths<\/p>\n

A torn faced Anthony Stokes once again showed his maturity by Tweeting his unhappiness at having to sit in the Caledonia stand after not being named in the side. With an attitude like that all we can do is say best of luck Tony on your move to some English backwater come January, or maybe back to Hibs if you’re lucky.
\nThe game kicked off and Celtic made a perfect start\u00a0 in 3 minutes\u00a0 as\u00a0 Callum “Just like a new signing<\/em>” McGregor drove a lovely shot into the net from 20 yards. A great goal with the youngster ( yeah Mr Sutton, I said youngster!) picking up the ball on the half way line and well done to Leigh Griffths and Tom Rogic who helped draw defenders away as the new Kris Commons raced forward with his eyes on the prize.<\/p>\n

It all seemed like it was gonna be a fine day, especially when at the next corner,\u00a0 a goal bound inverness Caley header managed to bounce back\u00a0off Craig Gordons open chest. Was God going to be with us today? Hmm..time would tell<\/p>\n

It may have been the sodden pitch but the Celtic control was lacking at times with some simple passes running out the park and soon Inverness were taking possession with Celtic were looking at playing on the counter with young(Enough!-Ed) Tierney doing his best to drive some extra enthusiasm into the side who were playing a little within themselves as the first half wore on.<\/p>\n

To be fair Celtic did have a few more chances in the half with Lustig having a header wide, Simunovic getting on the end of an Armstong cross but the Celts couldnt find that second goal and sure enough, Inverness grabbed the equaliser.<\/p>\n

Not for the first time, Celtic lost the ball in the middle of the park and Caley broke forward, a through ball saw Storey manage to stride through Boyata and Simunovic and get a shot on Gordon. The Celtic keeper managed to block but his parry fell back into Storeys path and the striker took his second chance well and calmly controlled the ball and stroke it into the empty net.<\/p>\n

After kick off, Nir Boton came close with a long range swerving shot but it was soon time Wee Willie W*nkie Collum to blow for halftime and it was time for Ronnie to get the weans inside for some hot chocolate and warm towels and some motivation magic.<\/p>\n

The second half kicked off with both sides having a go and the first flashpoint saw Devine attack Simunovic from a corner but sure enough the referee saw nothing and turned his attention into allowing an early\u00a0Celtic subsutitution with the disappointing Armstong being replaced by the Ajax secret agent Scott Allan.<\/p>\n

As can happen, just as\u00a0I was thinking “Has Leigh Griffths touched the ball today?”\u00a0, \u00a0Stefan Johansen picked up the ball in midfield and passed to McGregor who in turn passed to Scott Allan. Allan then played a lovely through ball to the advancing Tierney. The left back ran on and played the perfect back across goal and there was SuperLeigh to slot home. A great goal and it was a joy to the smile on the delighted striker after his disappointment midweek.<\/p>\n

Celtic then took off Rogic and brought on Cartlon Cole who would go up front with Griffiths moving into Rogics place. Everybody immediately thought “Hmm..interesting” and duly awaited to see how it would all work out. Within 2 minutes Cole had a downward header saved by the keeper but in truth McGregors trickery to produce the cross deserved a more clinical finish.
\nThe next attempt Celtic had on goal was a corner which deflected off Lustig and ricocheted goalwards from Mcgregors knee. Thankfully Stefan Johansen was there to stop the ball crossing the line as it was an Inverness Caley corner!<\/p>\n

5 minutes later and a Celtic would have a goal that would be talked about like Brazils 1970 classic. Okay, it wont.
\nLeigh Griffiths took a shot from the 18 yard line and the ball came back to big Carlton. Cole using all his experience, exercised an elephantine touch to totally\u00a0confuse the Caley defenders and keeper so much that they all ended up in a big heap. Somehow Coles brilliant\u00a0ESP skils then ensured that Caley defender Devine intervened and allowed the ball to fall down from the sky, onto his shin and trickle into the net in ultra slow mo fashion. Big Cartlton didnt care about that final touch technicality though and celebrated like it was his first goal in years….ahem.<\/p>\n

The farcical goal seemed to take the wind out of Caley and after that\u00a0the game was done. \u00a0Johansesn should have did better with a cut back in open play but sent it high and wide, we will let him blame a bobble, it will go with his head band – boom boom!.
\nA late introcution for GMS helped kill time and it was game over. Job just about done but a welcome 3 points and celtic now 7 points clear at the top of the League.<\/p>\n

Etims MOTM – Callum McGregor – great finish and did his best to make chances all day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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