A deserved 3 points for the Champions against a game Ross County side kicked off the SPL season.
Though ultimately Celtic were the better side, there were still causes for concern in a performance that at times lacked intensity, quality and any sort of tempo.
With the attacking talent at our disposal I was disappointed with the lack of pace going forward especially in the second half. Johansen, goal aside, was poor misplacing a number of passes creating situations that better teams would have punished. Kris Commons, when he came on, I felt offered a lot more to the side. He was involved in creating our best chances in the second half including a blast from outside the box that was just tipped over the bar by their keeper.
Scepovic was disappointing, his lack of mobility ensured we struggled to get in behind, Griffiths at least runs the channels and was able to make the sort of run that led to the penalty on 3 minutes as he was chopped down. The ball sneaked under the keeper from the spot and Celtic were ahead. The second was made as GMS too advantage of a slice of luck to drive into the box and lay the ball on a plate for Johansen who finished well into the side netting. At thiss point I was hoping we might kick on and get a couple more but this as not to be.
Perhaps it could be forgiven with one eye on Wednesday night but we looked poor in the next 45 minutes. Yes, we had chances as County chased the game but there was a real slackness to our play and the men from Dingwall will feel aggrieved that their efforts in that half were not rewarded with a goal.
Janko looked pacey when he came on, Boyata made a few important tackles though needs to work on his passing, Brown played well and Gordon did what he needed to do to keep a clean sheet ensuring that a nervy finish was not on the cards.
Celtic will need to play better than this on Wednesday, offering a more solid rearguard and adding that bit extra pace on the counter attack.
Ambrose did relatively well overall but Stevie Wonder could see that we would stuggle to create on the right hand side with a Centreback playing there who can't cross a ball and a winger in James Forrest who struggles to produce a final product when he is not hiding.
I am pleased that we got the 3 points today and it wasn't as if we were as bad as this time last year but I did feel frustrated watching that, especially the second 45 minutes.
Celtic 2-0 Ross County
posted on 1/8/15
Well even if he does get injured during the season.. i have no faith in Ciftci getting us goals/points.. He, along with Scep, are liabilities
posted on 1/8/15
Can't write Ciftci off only a few games. He needs a goal to get himself going. 1st goal Wednesday would be a great time to start.
Can't disagree about Scep. Doesn't cut it based on what we've seen so far. Might be shipped out on loan before the end of the window.
posted on 1/8/15
Got home about 7pm - don't disagree with most of what UTC says in his OP . Pleased Duke thinks that CG's card was rightly a yellow - haven't seen a replay but was mighty relieved at the time that it wasn't red
Ronny's BBC interview is at the bottom of this post and as always he is refreshingly honest and accurate about his side's performance. For what it's worth, my ratings are as follows:
Gordon - 8 - some really good saves and reassuring to know he is there for at least another 3 years.
Efe - 6 - ok but couldn't deliver a decent cross, even when on the right flank
VVD - 9 - deservedly MOTM and almost scored a wonder goal with a mazy McCourt-esque run.
Boyata - 5 - some decent defensive work but his passing was woeful - there was a 10 minute period in the first half when I counted 5 misplaced passes, one of which led to the Gordon booking.
Tierney 6- looked sharp, keen and pacey with some good interceptions. As UTC said some work to be on his crossing but great to see him getting a great ovation when he was substituted.
Broony 7 - not at his best but still drove the team on.
Johansen 6 - took his goal really well and never hid - passing was not great. We all know he is better in the number 10 role but partnered Broony as DM as best as he could
Forrest 1 - When my good lady who hasn't seen a live Celtic match for 8 years says he is "useless" you can tell how little he added to the party.
Armstrong 7 - one or two misplaced passes but I really like this guy - some good positive runs and he showed his versatility when he stepped back to cover for Johansen when Commons came on. Took a booking for the team.
GMS 7 - always tried to create - was involved in the second goal and showed more passion for the cause in five minutes than Forrest did in the entire 90
Griffiths - 7 Made a good position for the penalty incident and stuck it away (albeit a little luckily) even though he was still in discomfort. We looked a lot less threatening when he went off...which leads me to...
Subs
Scepovic 1 - His big chance and he was a waste of a jersey - hope he, Forrest, Boerrigter & Stokes are all punted by the end of the window.
Commons 8- looked sharp, creative and focussed. Unlucky not to score at least one
Janko - 7 Very fast, direct and positive - I like the look of this guy.
Overall - an ok performance - Ronny will know that better is required in future, starting on Wednesday
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/33749141
posted on 1/8/15
Did Gordon even catch tje boy?.. Looked a dive to me.
Yellow was the correct decision as there was 2 players back covering
posted on 1/8/15
JBJ - he defo caught him
Goals are below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BGHBwwGXPk
posted on 1/8/15
I dunno, I think the boy was looking for it and took a dive.
posted on 1/8/15
Steve, hope you and Tricia had a great weekend and enjoyed the game
posted on 1/8/15
Maheed - yes was great - really good party last night and we both enjoyed the game today - got the wee man some stuff out of the Celtic Shop
JBJ - let's wait until we see the highlights, mate
posted on 1/8/15
Off to kip - see ya bhoys
posted on 1/8/15
comment by Stevethebhoy (U17159)
posted 34 minutes ago
Maheed - yes was great - really good party last night and we both enjoyed the game today - got the wee man some stuff out of the Celtic Shop
JBJ - let's wait until we see the highlights, mate
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I saw the highlights, rewound it a couple of times too.
Not really conclusive either way so hard to say bud.