Joe Ledley scored the only goal of the game as Celtic restored their four point lead at the top of the SPL but although the visitors didn’t force a save from Fraser Forster this was a tight encounter for most of the afternoon.
The opening minutes firmly belonged to Celtic. Georgios Samaras had a first minute shot deflected wide and Victor Wanyama headed narrowly over from the resultant Charlie Mulgrew corner kick. Inverness’ first venture up-field forced Mulgrew into an important interception on the edge of the area to deny Nick Ross.
The best move of the game resulted in the only goal. Gary Hooper combined with Adam Matthews before James Forrest collected wide on the left. The winger raced forward and fired the ball across the face of goal for Joe Ledley to meet it at the back post and knock the ball home. Back post runs have been particularly profitable for Ledley this season.
Four minutes later Charlie Mulgrew worked the goalkeeper with a free kick from just outside the angle of the box but Ryan Esson turned the ball over.
At half time Celtic could have reflected that despite enjoying the vast majority of possession their lead remained narrow; twin strikers Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper didn’t have much of an opening.
Early in the second half referee McLean had his first major decision of the day when Richie Foran wrestled Scott Brown to the ground, after play at stopped, with an arm around Brown’s neck. The incident deserved a yellow card but Foran was already booked and the ref took no action. Five minutes later Daniel Majstorovic ambled towards a ball played over his head but Inverness striker Jonny Hayes flew past the Celtic defender forcing Majstorovic into a sliding tackle five yards from his box. Despite making clear contact with the ball, and no protests from Hayes, who continued to chase, the assistant referee indicated to the ref McLean that Majstorovic fouled. McLean showed the Swedish central defender, who was the last man, a straight red card.
Inverness pressed forward and forced Celtic to defend deeply but the visitors were unable to create a genuine chance. On 73 minutes an Adam Matthews free kick from near the corner flag was cutback to Ki, who mishit his shot, which appeared to be going out for a throw in but Georgios Samaras chased the lost cause with some effect.
Catching the ball on the line Samaras spun and darted past Williams, who, already on a yellow card, bundled the Celtic striker off the field. The referee, perhaps mindful of his earlier trigger-happy moment with Majstorovic and failure to punish Foran, gave Williams a second yellow.
Back on an equal man-count Celtic were never again put under pressure although Hayes caught the defence napping to latch onto a 40 yard pass but fired over.
Jinky Samaras could have wrapped up the points late on with a mazy run but he was unable to convert.
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Allgreen, chill. They’re not winning that game.
Used to like Owen Coyle before he snubbed Celtic. Hate to say it, but kind of like seeing his Bolton side struggle. Is that wrong?
Rieperman says:
11 February, 2012 at 23:40
It’s sad.All the same though – when Dublin were playing in last year’s All-Ireland final,i dare say that game took priority over everything else that was going on.
There are still a few pubs left in Ireland,where horse racing takes precedence over all other sports.You know the real old fashion pubs,where if a World Cup Final was going into a penalty shoot-out,the tv would be switched over to a race at Kelso,so as to keep the punters happy!
Tricoloured Ribbon
I have loads of pics in another computer with pool fans holding up pool and hun scarfs and banners, had many an arguement on here about pool and their alegences.
I will stick with Everton.
Gordy,
Yeah looks like the weekend of the Reamonn Gormley.
Going to be colossal this year in Derry.I have 12 friends coming from Clydebank but there wont be anyone who wont be able to get their head down.
Allgreen says:
11 February, 2012 at 23:41
Anyone know where the rumours that the Huns have won their tax case are coming from?
A guy posting as 12May 1967 on RTC a journalist is his source.
It all stems from Darrell ‘wan’ King on SSB tonight now saying he NEVER saw any side letters from players or any evidence of any 2nd contracts.
Backtracking a wee bit? But for what purpose???
Paul67
Thank God. Had a call from a pal who was worried. I played it cool and panicked in private.
Paul 67
The ref was worse than shocking.
Thought big Dan played really well till he walked.
Won all he should have, and looked decisive.
Right, back to catch up.
hi long time lurker , first post . thanks p67 for great site . my first stop for celtic news and views . can anyone advise when league cup final tickets go on sale is there public sale? lookin to get 2 adult and 2 kids tickets . me and my da an my boys. had a scary week where my old fella (good calton man withthe celts in his heart) had a bit of a turn , but looks like he goin to be ok . love to take him to the final with his grandsons they are 5 and 8 and never been to a match , any help appreciated . and thanks to all you posters for wit insight and what can only be described as celtic class people. hail hail.
Mr X says:
11 February, 2012 at 23:47
Anyone else who was at the game today thrown by the tannoy announcement at the end that “the referee has added on three minutes”, when the big screen was showing we were at the 85 min mark!
I looked at my watch, realised it was about 4.50pm and that the big screen must have gone wonky!
Was mighty relieved there was only 3 mins left and not 8!
I too was surprised.There was a mass exodus from 139 when the 3 minutes were signaled and people looked at their watches and realised the stadium clock was wrong1 i too had a sense of relief.
HH
Tricoloured ribbon,
i might be one of the 12 as thats where i will be coming from ;-)
Just in and read back to page 3 and, yer all going on about the ref and mention Foran wrestling with Scott Brown.., that was nowt.
What about Foran’s certain booking for deliberately bringing down Mulgrew as he burst clear early on? Nowt, then, for an identical foul on Scott Brown but, in the middle of the park – booked – whereas the first one was in a (apart from Celtic) dangerous area.
This league is far from over.
Hey, McLean, Hope yer brothers country gets UNITED !
Today was my first game in several weeks owing to the recent expansion of my family. It was nice to be back!
Difficult to know what to say about the ref, other than, at half time the old guy who sits next to me commented that he reckoned the ref had at least one game-changing decision against us in him, and therefore we needed another goal.
However Neil was incredibly composed on the radio afterwards – a younger Neil might have exploded and let rip. And in an earlier time his team might have gone to pieces.
But not Neil Lennon 2012. Not Celtic 2012.
Good to see.
Gordybhoy
Just out of Tracys at 9 o clock son.thumbs up lad
Paul lamb rest German coaching course is really paying off.
Glad we subsidised that for him!
That Hrant Holt is some player. Someone should make a bid for him
PRB
Welcome pal.
Bloody iPad.
thanks gordon
Gordybhoy do you like a bet so to speak?
Tricoloured ribbon,
do the names stevie collins or danny gallagher ring a bell with you
Rieperman @ 23:38
thankyou
nearly peed my wobbley nickers
HH BB
Over on RM they are saying that the big story tomorrow is that Whyte has moved £20 million from Ticketus offshore.
They seem to think this would be a good thing, keeping ‘there money’ from HMRC. Don’t seem too concerned that it would mean Whyte lied to them again only days ago.
Tricoloured ribbon,
nah i am happier taking the money over the counter ;-)
I drink in a mixed pub in Jersey, the Cambridge Bar. Man Utd supporters made up of locals and Irish, Celtic supporters Scottish/Irish and the majority are Liverpool born guys who support Liverpool FC.
The point is the ‘Liverpool’ guys to man support Rangers when they play us.
Paul67
Winning, losing, any verdict against them is them losing, so I assume they will lose.
The thing that bothers me is a newco free from debt, and all their income streams back on line.
All for the good of scottish football, aye right.
Everton are the Celtic club.
punkrockbhoy says:
11 February, 2012 at 23:53
Welcome
Gordy bhoy
Howl yer wheest lad
Paddy Gallagher says:
11 February, 2012 at 23:59
myself and a few mates where attacked by Liverpool supporters shouting UDA slogans in Glasgow, the London road FFS, in 1998!
as far as I am aware their support in this part of the world is mostly from the “unionist” community
UC
SRTG
Tricolour ribbon,
take it i know you,gies a hint
Anybody read or heard Grahame Souness comment on their plight.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he was in their bunker.
An old Mayo song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMyXrmYXMys
PRB
You might not be so thankful
once you get into this cyber crazyhouse.
Just back in – I know, at my age I should have been tucked up straight after the game!
2 things:
The Linesman did not raise his flag in any way shape or firm at the Dan incedent – this now has shades of ‘Dougie Dougie’ written all over it.
Yes I was a bit freaked by the clOck on the big screen- thought I was in some sort of time vortex – my watch said 89 but the clock said 83 – so happy my watch was right.
History will only say – 3 points were won to-day.
Subterranean – I hope young Peter enjoyed his first game
Hail hail
Ulster-Celt says:
12 February, 2012 at 00:02
Agreed mate, never had a lot of time for them.
Paul67
in Lubo styley …we’re not wrthy…/o\ \o/ /o\ \o/
great work sir thankyou.
HH BB