BLINK and you might have missed Celtic just failing to claim a contender for Goal of the Season just 86 minutes into the new campaign.
The champions were leading 4-1 at the time courtesy of a double from David Turnbull – the first from the penalty spot – and others from Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O’Riley.
The Hoops were coasting, the points were in the bag and the script on Flag Day had been followed, despite a dodgy start against a stubborn Ross County side.
With the clock ticking, skipper Callum McGregor materialised deep in defence to help put a halt to a rare foray from the Highlanders. The midfielder found himself on the bye-line as he stroked a pass forward to substitute Yang Hyun-jun, a replacement for Liel Abada, and the South Korean new Bhoy wasted no time in pushing a pass in front of Reo Hatate, who had come on for Turnbull.
ONE…Callum McGregor sets the move in motion with a pass to Yang Hyun-jun.
TWO…Yang pushes a ball to Reo Hatate.
THREE…Hatate sends a ball forward for Daizen Maeda to chase.
FOUR…Maeda fires over a low cross from the right.
FIVE…James Forrest makes contact as Ross Laidlaw races out.
SIX…the Ross County keeper denies Forrest as grounded Maeda looks on from the edge of the box.
SEVEN…the ball bounces clear and the chance is gone. Maeda expresses his frustration.
The fans’ favourite swept a pass ahead of his fellow-Japanese team-mate Daizen Maeda who took off down the right, a blur of green and white.
The pacy raider whipped over a low cross into the penalty box and evergreen James Forrest, who had replaced Kyogo only two minutes earlier, saw the opportunity to claim his 102nd goal for the club.
The Scotland international hit his effort first-time, but hopes of an exquisite, perfect lightning strike on the break were denied as County keeper Ross Laidlaw managed to divert the shot and the chance was gone.
The mesmerising move from defence to attack took a mere THIRTEEN SECONDS!
It was breathtaking football that deserved a reward. Alas, not to be on this occasion.
There will be other opportunities as the season unfolds.
