Ross County are a point off a European spot, a gap that has been narrowing for months. Their last six games have seen wins over St Johnstone, Motherwell, St Mirren and Aberdeen, a draw with Hearts and a solitary defeat, at Celtic Park.
County were points adrift at bottom of the table as recently as December, having picked up just three points from their opening 10 games. They are now a team on what looks like an inevitable march to European football next season. So yes, we have a proper job to do on Sunday.
In the event Celtic emerge from season 2021-22 as champions, two added-time goals at Dingwall can be regarded as having an enormous bearing on the outcome. In December, with Celtic drawing 1-1 and reduced to 10 men, Tom Rogic dinked a cross high into the County six-yard box, where Anthony Ralston rose, salmon-like to head home in the 97th minute of play.
Celtic went into that round of fixtures four points behind, the prospect of further slippage felt ominous with so many difficult fixtures ahead. The remarkable recovery told us lots about this group of players and their never-say-die attitude.
The other significant game at Dingwall was, of course, Newco’s visit there a month later. I watched the highlights that night, County were poor, conceded three and could have shipped a few more. Newco should have won the game comfortably, but a combination of lax defending and dreadful goalkeeping kept the match alive until County conjured up a 96th minute equaliser.
History is made in moments like these. News that Josip Juranovic is missing for the game gives Anthony Ralston his Dingwall stage again, horses for courses, leaps to mind. Just as important will be the fitness of Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek scored his second hattrick of the season in the aforementioned recent County defeat to Celtic – another horse for the County course.
Expect the pitch to be hard, bumpy and probably trained on today. Defending will need to be assured, passing from the back will be more risky than normal. Still, Celtic will travel with a point to prove. Expect another away win.
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Jo Hart
Tony Ralston
CCV
Starfelt
Greg Taylor
Calmac
Tom Rogic
Nir Bitton.
Jota
Gia
Maeda.
Go for that.
:-))
HH
AN TEARMANN on 23RD APRIL 2022 10:42 PM
For someone who claims not to be an SNP supporter you’re very defensive of them.
Emerald Bee
I remember that day well. Sadly Garry not around to see Ryan and Kirsty’s big day, no doubt he will be looking down on them with a huge smile and as proud as punch.
I’m still in 202 KK.
HH from Monifieth
“Celtic, Celtic….that’s The team fur me…………………”
‘The Union has always existed’
FredHoyleCSC
“sticking it to the huns”
Yup,that sounds good to me.
I’m going to be there when they take down the union Jack from Edinburgh castle.
“We’re the finest Team in Scotland…..i hope you will agree?”
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 23RD APRIL 2022 10:24 AM
SUPERSUTTON
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a referee getting between players facing up to each other, or even dragging a player away from a potential powderkeg. That is his job.
You can see referees do exactly that in the EPL every week.
———
Been a while since I read the Laws of the Game cover to cover but I don’t remember any mention of refs manhandling players.
And if a player touches a ref that is automatically a red card. So why do you think it’s job to do so.
You also miss the point that this only seems to benefit one team here in Scotland.
A it happens, there was a bit of a stramash in the Bayern v Dortmund game. The ref stood back and watched and at the conclusion booked two players. He didn’t try to step in and calm the situation.
Both commentators lauded his actions.
That is the correct way to deal with the situation. Observe and punish – not get involved, especially when doing so it can be to the benefit of one team and not the other.
It’s the same reason why linesmen (assistants) don’t attempt to stop a ball which is out of play and give it to a player. Doing so for one team and then not doing it for another would lead them open to criticism of bias.
It has long since been policy for referees not to get in between players or involved in confrontations. The clear direction is to observe and report. Makes sense.
HH
The incident the other night with the idiot Lafferty.Think he was just talking too much without abusive,swearing language.Big daft bigot.
Regards VAR.Just watched MOTD,and the ridiculous assault,won’t even call it a tackle,by Bruno Fernandez,gets looked at,and nothing given.Ref had already issued a yellow.Highlighted,and Ian Wright going nuts.A shocker.
How some of these VAR “Experts”keep their jobs a mystery.
Unionist.
Imagine that,never seen anarticle like that ever,ever🤪
Not defensive at all Ernie,couldn’t give a toss tbf.
its Saturday night before an important game and you post an example of ignorance.like most here am probably glad we are top of the league to look at at bottom of page as that’s where the scroll ends!
Anti Irish Catholic racism and sectarianism exists and its cancer is across all political parties.That is a historical fact.
it is core to your unionism,thats why you are on using the topic for your own ends, ably arsesisted by the wee billy liar,no need to,that’s you two only.
It is getting better,it is improving,that is the dynamic and all encompassing nature of being a Catholic in Scotland.It is not static in those 1500 years,always work to be done tho.
Team for the morra fud?
HH
If Biton fit..id play him..seen it done it.
Id also drop Jota..play James Forest..for same reason..
Jeezo some turn around at Newcastle.
Get CCV signed immediately
Drew Mulraney
News at Ten
Yoker.
Nite nite
AN TEARMANN on 23RD APRIL 2022 7:14 PM · EDIT
Wee Bit of positive news for Celts
As you all know in the last year we lost our fellow Celt Delaneys Dunky(Garry).Well today his son Ryan and his partner Kirsty were married:-)))
The very best of luck to both.
Hail Hail to Ryan and Kirsty.
God bless their future
—————
Congrats Ryan and Kirsty
I wish you all the best for your future life together
TURKEYBHOY on 21ST APRIL 2022 10:06 PM
My worry for Sunday is the surface.Its a disgrace
~~~~~~~
Pray enlighten us on when you last visited Dingwall to form an educated opinion of the playing surface at Victoria Park.
Non-Celtic but also non-political post:
The Hare Krishna religion is a branch of Hinduism closely associated with India, where it has one of its largest followings.
The religion’s profile increased in the 1970s when The Beatles’ George Harrison developed an interest in Indian spirituality.
Now a Hare Krishna community that calls a remote Irish island its home is beginning to grow.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness have had members on Inish Rath in County Fermanagh since 1986.
But a new generation of people from the Indian community based in Belfast have been discovering what locals call “Krishna Island”, for the first time.
SLÁINTE ANGE on 24TH APRIL 2022 3:21 AM
Great knowledge shared SA as we are open to all.👍
The borders has a retreat centre too I recall from walking down there.There is also one at the Holy Isle of Arran.beautiful spots both of them
Peace.
HH
AN TEARMANN on 23RD APRIL 2022 7:14 PM
Wee Bit of positive news for Celts
As you all know in the last year we lost our fellow Celt Delaneys Dunky(Garry).Well today his son Ryan and his partner Kirsty were married:-)))
The very best of luck to both.
Hail Hail to Ryan and Kirsty.
God bless their future
………………………
Congrats to Ryan and Kirsty.
Love is a many splendid thing.
Garry would be so proud.
HH.
MODERATOR1888 on 24TH APRIL 2022 12:54 AM.
Big jimmy,Voguepunter,Emerald Bee,Friesdorfer,Lefti,all the Celts
Nice one,👏
Positive remembering his belief in Ange from the off.
HH
I see the media in Scotland are talking up a potential Ibrox appeal against Balogun’s red card in time for him to face Celtic next Sunday. The basis for the appeal? Nothing to do with the red card being unjust or an over-reaction by the referee. The appeal would be based on the absence of a red card for a “similar” offence by a Motherwell player a few minutes later.
To be fair, nobody from Old Firm FC has uttered a word about an appeal. It is purely paper talk.
The point is, if they were to appeal, it would almost certainly be fast-tracked for this week and if rejected, the 1-game ban would become a 2-game ban.
I’d love them to follow the msm’s lead. Can’t see it though.
Good morning all from a lovely sunny morning in the Garden of God.
To Dingwall we March.
I see Drew1967 and a few others saying Biton in for Hatae, I think that slows the game up, yes he could probably break a few forward runs up but he is not mobile enough. Although I think Ange might go with him for stability I would not. That’s how I am not the manager.😂
I do not think we are going to be over run with RC, so go with forward thinking players.
Anyhoo time for shave, shower and shum caffeine obviously not at the 1 time.
D :)
Looking forward to this afternoon’s game. Got my son and two grandsons visiting for the TV showing. No doubt the youngsters will be wearing their Celtic tops, fresh from Friday’s stadium tour. I have seen lots of photos of two happy and excited bhoys in the Celtic dressing room, posing in front of the shirts of their favourites.
I am confident of 3 points this afternoon, setting up a big day next Sunday for the faithful.
2-0 Celtic ☘️
Tom same here, grandkids and their dad coming to the house with a good few of my mates.
Done the tour with my 10 year old grandson many times, in fact not done it for a while, might book it for the summer and take the 3year old as well.
Hope you enjoy being among the family watching the Glasgow Celtic play. I know I do. I always have an extra big smile when I’m with them and watching the bhoys.
D :)
Any recommendations for best pub to watch game in Largs today ? 🍀
⚽
Good morning all from Govanhill. Gerrintaethum Celtic!!!!
I heard chat on radio 5 yesterday about the potential all British Europa lg final. Nothing was said about the nightmare scenario it would bring about. I’ll leave West Ham to one side, they’ll have their lout element but will be no worse than any other big English club. The other mob though are second to none when it comes to violence in Europe. I could rhyme off their 60 year back catalogue of horror and I don’t just mean the big ones, Barcelona 72, Manchester 08 and the double wrecking of George Square (while celebrating).
UEFA and the Seville authorities must surely be aware of what’s possibly coming their way. The Hun do not need Catholic churches and holy statues to fire them up into bigot hooligan mode, but it will help.
Leipzig can end all Uefa and Seville worries.
Congratulations to Ryan and Kirsty. Similarly my sadly missed big mate Squire Danahers daughter Kate was married last week. He would have had a wonderful time had he been able to attend, everyone had a great day.
Morning all
I see there’s a mystery over the absence of Tom Rogic today.
Well, I can partially clear it up. I was golfing at the King’s Course at Gleneagles on Wednesday. If you’re not a golfer you can scroll past the next bit:
I started reasonably enough with 5 5’s – 4 putts for par (all just missed) then fell away and carded a 97 🙄
Anyway, I went into the hotel for lunch and spotted Mr Rogic entering an elevator. So, either Tom is injured and was up there for some R&R or he’s still trying to get oot of wan ae they bloody bunkers!
You heard it here first! 😉
Timmy 7 Noted
Thanks for the post re Squire Danaher’s sad passing. Congratulations to Kate, and hope she has a long, happy and healthy future together with her new husband. The Squire will be beaming down from above.
HH
AN TEARMANN on 24TH APRIL 2022 5:28 AM
SLÁINTE ANGE on 24TH APRIL 2022 3:21 AM
Great knowledge shared SA as we are open to all.👍
The borders has a retreat centre too I recall from walking down there.
###
I think that’s a Tibetan Buddhist place rather than a Hare Krishna one. Only thing they have in common is the orange clothes.
‘Saturday night before an important game and you post an example of ignorance.’
Friesdorfer he most certainly will.
Never like this kind of pressure.
Personally or for my team.
Too many are invested in our failure. There’s a collective will in Scotland for Celtica defeats.
I hope the team handles pressure as well as The Boss. I rarely do.
I hope the team over-performs to a degree that obviates whichever one of Hugh’s pawns are in charge of interpreting the rools today. We’ll have to be better than malky’s maulers to such a degree that they are rendered dud, hopefully without leaving their marks on our team sheet and score sheet.
I’m already delighted with what Ange has achieved in such a short time, today his players take centre stage.
HH.
Whilst I’m on I have another very happy 😊 announcement. My first grandchild Thomas Patrick Winnie was born last week, a fine healthy bhoy. 7lb 13 mum and baby very well.
For the first time there are now 4 generations of my family on the planet at one time.
Another generation of tims!!!
Tim – well played bhoy. Congrats.
Sad news on Squire Danaher……
HH
1 nil will do me
Sorry if I caused some confusion there, Squire passed away last year I was sharing his daughters recent marriage.
Whatever 11 we put on the pitch today , should be good enough to beat County.
As long as Bitton isn’t one of them.
Congratulations Timmy7.
Wonderful news.
My carefully, ok luckily, designed schedule to get home from Split in time for today’s game appeared to be in tatters this morning when the flight was declared delayed but is now back on schedule.
Being on a plane when Celtic is playing is torture.