Inverness CT vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Tulloch Caledonian StadiumAttendance5,976.
Monday 30 November 2015 10:10, UK
Celtic restored their seven-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-1 victory over Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium.
Following their disappointing exit in the Europa League in midweek, Celtic returned to winning ways but were made to work hard in torrid conditions which saw the match go ahead only after a morning pitch inspection.
Celtic's pre-match preparations were interrupted by a controversial social media outburst from Anthony Stokes who was unhappy he had been omitted from the starting line-up.
An early goal from Callum McGregor was cancelled out before half-time by Miles Storey who reacted quickly after Celtic lost possession in midfield.
While he may have struggled during the week against Ajax in the Europa League, it was Leigh Griffiths who bagged his 19th goal of the season to restore Celtic's lead before a bizarre Danny Devine own goal in the dying stages sealed the points for the visitors.
McGregor broke the deadlock after just three minutes when Inverness were caught out while pressing forward in numbers.
The young midfielder was given too much time and space by the home side to travel with the ball from the middle of the park before placing an effort brilliantly past Owain Fon Williams from the edge of the box.
Inverness looked keen to respond immediately and were unlucky not to draw level a few minutes later.
Iain Vigurs' corner found Gary Warren whose header struck the chest of Craig Gordon in the Celtic goal before Josh Meekings followed up after a scramble to curl his effort just wide.
Chances were few and far between after that with Mikael Lustig and Jozo Simunovic heading over from Celtic corners.
Inverness enjoyed some decent possession and knocked the ball about well but struggled to find an incisive pass in the final third to cause Celtic any problems.
That all changed five minutes before half-time, however, when Stuart Armstrong was unable to control Stefan Johansen's heavy pass in midfield allowing Liam Polworth to pick up the scraps.
He found the run of Storey, who got in between Dedryck Boyata and Simunovic, and, although his initial effort was blocked by Gordon, he followed up to tap the ball into the empty net.
Celtic had one last chance in the opening 45 minutes when Nir Bitton nearly added to his fine collection of goals from distance but his effort from 25 yards whistled just wide.
Ross Draper had a decent chance to put the home side in front after the break when he got on the end of Josh Meekings' cross but could only head wide.
It was the away side who struck next, however, when substitute Scott Allan fed Kieran Tierney down the left and his cutback was met by Griffiths six yards out who slammed the ball into the net.
Carlton Cole replaced Tom Rogic just after that and he could have made an instant impact but for a good save from Fon Williams.
A quick Celtic break caused Inverness all sorts of problems with McGregor beating Danny Williams before holding the ball up at the back post for Cole but his downward header was clawed away by the goalkeeper.
Cole did have an influence in Celtic's third of the afternoon, although it will go down as one of the most bizarre goals scored all season.
Griffiths' powerful effort from the edge of the box was blocked by Fon Williams into the path of Cole whose mis-control led to a scrap in the box with the striker accidentally handling the ball while on the deck on to the foot of Devine who turned the ball into the net.
