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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Nice on Arbroath!
bhoyjoeybelfast
From earlier. Wee bit of a mystery as to what happened to the apparently agreed match against Santos back in October 1962. Moreso when as you have pointed out they played Sheffield Wednesday around the same time. Checked back, Santos were in effect the World champions at the time having beaten Benfica, Europe’s finest, home and away, 3-2 in Rio 19-9-62 and 5-2 in Lisbon 11-10-62. Pele scored twice in the first game and a hat trick away from home against Eusebio et al. Can’t fault the Board for lack of imagination back then, or good intentions re the beneficiaries of the Real Madrid game. Still curious re Santos, wonder if Tontine Tim can shed any light on what happened there.
The ‘Billie Boys’ being belted out at Rugby Park.
Temporarily silenced by Red Lichties opener.
And now back again.
Cheatin’ Beaton officiating.
Dick Campbell taking off the bunnett exposing his bear-head – let’s hope he keeps his kecks on…..it’s no a training session tonight!!!
that dick, Campbell epitomises most o’ the worst bits o’ scoddish fitba’.
BawBag.
a new one –
Jimmy Johnstone Was Even Better Than You Think | Rare Footage
4,022 views18-Apr-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AUQW1Ticoo
https://twitter.com/LilZe_7/status/1517561370157453312
Naka magic
VP – 😂😂😂 true.
D :)
Saint Stivs on 22nd April 2022 8:08 pm
a new one –
Jimmy Johnstone Was Even Better Than You Think | Rare Footage
4,022 views18-Apr-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AUQW1Ticoo
………………………………………………………….
Fab – thank you.
INIQUITOUSIV
They sing “We are the Killie boys”.
I believe the Real Madrid and proposed Santos friendlies were completely separate. The former was the brain child of a Jewish business man for fundraising.
Santos was a proposal for the following month based on the success of the Real encounter, we offered a substantial amount of money, it just didnae pan oot.
Personally, the Real game was more appealing to our support based on their European win at hunden and Pele notwithstanding Santos we’re not that appealing to the support back then.
Is that Mcfadden commentating on killie game?……….arsehole!
SAINT STIVS
“Jimmy Johnstone Was Even Better Than You Think.”
————————————
Naw, he wiznae.😊
As the Argentinian commentator Norberto Long ( GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!! ) says, “Imposseeeeeeebly!”😊
TOM MCLAUGHLIN
The second line sounds awful like “We’re up to our knees etc”
Am I missing something here?
Lafferty talks his way into Beaton’s book.
That awkward moment when you realise wee Sheryl is 60
Killie with quite a few hammer throwers on show here.
Does anyone know why the stand behind the Arbroath goal is empty?
Wanted Arbroath to win,saw big Rab Douglas on touchline …..Doesn’t forget when they kicked us of the park after Seville game…….into thems Rab.
INIQUITOUSIV
Because the clueless Ayrshire zombie re built the stadium far to big with nobody to come?
St Stives,
Happyh/sad to say I was there,
triggered memories
hail hail
INIQUITOUSIV
We’re up to our knees in Ayr blood…
JHB on 22ND APRIL 2022 7:46 PM
LIAR.
QuickDraw,
Thanks mate.Was doing my head in.Flamenco.Celtic were so keen to get Savio,they offered Flamenco the transfer cash the next day,knowing they needed the money badly.Very nearly paid off.One of Andy Walkers best games for us.
Nice to see Big Rab – he never gave less than 100% – OK he was no Lev Yashin, but no Barkas either!!!
Inquitosiv,
There’s a few hammer throwers in the Arbroath team too.
Watching the Killie game.A bruiser.God forgive me,but Beaton is Reffing it well.Hysterical Killie fans and idiotic commentary team.C,Mon Arbroath.
McFadden has prattled on about the Killie penalty claim for 10 minutes solid.
Haha Tom. And he still hasn’t given an opinion whether it was a penalty or not.
it is strange they didnt fill the away stand from bottom tier up,
Cracking game actually
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 22ND APRIL 2022 8:29 PM
That awkward moment when you realise wee Sheryl is 60
================================================
Cracking tune and very pleasing on the eye :)
Brian
Never want that hun bastard Lafferty to be on winning side …scumbag !
Scottish cinemas to let HUNS in to watch Europa league tie.
What could possibly go wrong.
D :)
So who wants to fight 😉
Iniquitous TV
Same tune ,different Lyrics .
It’s anti Ayr not anti Catholic.
TT
DAVID66 on 22ND APRIL 2022 9:05 PM
Scottish cinemas to let HUNS in to watch Europa league tie.
What could possibly go wrong.
D :)
—————-
They’ll be shitting in the aisles….that’s on way in.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 22ND APRIL 2022 8:29 PM
Nothing wrong with being sixty . I can just about remember it!