Celtic 3-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Official TC Match Report
Celtic 3: Commons, Gershon, Miku
ICT 1: Ross
Celtic moved 18 points clear of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the race for the SPL title with a 3-1 win over the second-placed side in the Highlands. Kris Commons was teed up by January signing Tom Rogic while fellow new Bhoy Rami Gershon and summer recruit Miku hit the goals for the Bhoys after they had gone a goal down to Nick Ross' early goal.
It was an understrength Celtic side who took to the field with boss Neil Lennon knowing the threat that is to come on Tuesday night when his men welcome Italian champions Juventus to Parkhead. However, they were caught cold when they found themselves 1-0 down after just nine minutes following a sluggish start.
Aaron Doran crossed from the left and returning goalkeeper Fraser Forster failed to deal with it properly, parrying it into the path of the onrushing Ross who fired into the corner from the edge of the box with a strike that left the Celtic defence helpless.
However, they would not be behind long as just 10 minutes later, Celtic were level after the outstanding Rogic did brilliantly driving at the Caley defence into the area and cut the ball back for Commons who was lurking with intent just inside the area and he lashed a fantastic left foot drive into the top corner past Ryan Esson.
The Australian youngster then fired just over from the edge of the box as did Commons from a free-kick in a dangerous area in the absence of Charlie Mulgrew while at the other end, Andrew Shinnie scooped his effort over Forster's bar when he should have done much better.
It did not take the Hoops long to take the lead after the break when Gershon scored his first goal for the club just three minutes after the interval. Dylan McGeouch showed good feet on the edge of the ICT area before flighting an inviting cross to the back post where the Israeli met it with a powerful header low into the back of the net.
McGeouch was again involved causing Terry Butcher's side problems shortly afterwards when he set up Anthony Stokes and the Dubliner's head cannoned back of Esson's crossbar from a difficult angle and nobody could follow through on the rebound.
The win was wrapped up with eight minutes remaining when Stokes broke dangerously into the Inverness penalty area and squared across goal for Miku to tap the ball home and wrap up an important win for the Hoops ahead of their key Juventus clash and a win in which the fringe players impressed the manager.
"The young lads were exceptional," said the Irishman. "They have earned my trust with that performance. There was a great togetherness about the team and there are places up for grabs for Tuesday and I thought they were magnificent and shows what we have coming from.
"I know what we have got with the young lads but you don't always know how they will react to the first team and the squad will be vibrant and ready to go now for Tuesday."
MOTM: Paddy McCourt - Showed flashes of his brilliance throughout and was unlucky with a first half strike that he was fouled as he struck. ICT defence constantly looked troubled whenever he had the ball at his feet.
Celtic: Forster, Gershon (Matthews 66), Fraser, Rogne, Fraser, Commons (Chalmers 46), Rogic, Kayal, McCourt (Watt 78), McGeouch, Stokes, Miku.
Subs not used: Zaluska, Herron, Lassad, Atajic.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Esson, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tudur-Jones, Draper, Shinnie, Ross (Roberts 76), McKay, Doran (Sutherland 88).
Subs not used: Reguero, Devine, Taylor, Polworth, Pepper.
P.W.
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