CELTIC 0 ROSS COUNTY 0 CELTIC struggled to a scoreless stalemate with rock-bottom Ross County as they bought down the curtain on an eventful 2014 at Parkhead. Remarkably, Ronny Deilas side managed only four shots on target throughout a dismal 90 minutes against a side that had conceded an avalanche of goals before this encounter. It was a frustrating and disappointing afternoon for the Hoops supporters, but, at the end of the day, the club actually INCREASED their at the top of the Premiership to five points. With Dundee United losing to St Johnstone and Aberdeen playing tomorrow, the champions missed the chance to open up a more substantial advantage. Celtic dominated possession, but lacked creativity. Callum McGregors shot against the bar just after the break the closest the hosts came to a breakthrough - as they were held to their first goalless draw in 120 matches, a run stretching back to October 2011. Having lost 5-0 at home to Celtic earlier in the season, the visitors were determined not to capitulate again, although they lost Graham Carey in the build-up to a back spasm - Michael Gardyne replacing him in the starting eleven. Celtic were forced into a reshuffle of their own just nine minutes in when Anthony Stokes limped off for McGregor, but they soon took control. County keeper Antonio Reguero was forced into a good point-blank save from Nir Bittons header on 25 minutes. But chances were difficult to fashion for Deilas side with John Guidetti deflecting Leigh Griffiths drive just wide. They should have taken the lead in the 51st minute. McGregors curling effort from the edge of the box beat the flapping Reguero, but bounced back off the bar to Guidetti, who fluffed the opportunity. The Swede has now gone five successive games without a goal and it was no surprise when he was substituted with Stefan Scepovic in the 67th minute. Celtic survived a late scare when a drive from Filip Kiss beat Craig Gordon only to strike the post and rebound clear. Hoops supporters have every right to expect better from their team in the new year. TEAM: Gordon; Matthews, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Stokes (sub: McGregor 9; sub: Commons 67), Griffiths, Johansen; Guidetti (sub: Scepovic 67),
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:29:03 +0000
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