Betfred League Cup
Celtic Park
Sunday, November 29, 2020

CELTIC… 0

ROSS COUNTY… 2
(Stewart 38pen, Iacovitti 83)

CELTIC’S run of consecutive domestic cup wins came to a halt today as Ross County inflicted a 2-0 defeat on the Hoops, knocking Neil Lennon’s side out of the Betfred Cup.

A goal in either half from the Highland side ensured their place in the quarter-final draw, while Celtic exited a competition they had won for the past four years.

It was Ryan Christie who had the first chance of the match after four minutes, starting the counter-attack down the left flank and combining well with Albian Ajeti before firing a shot that County keeper, Ross Laidlaw, dealt with. And five minutes later, the visitors had their first opportunity when Harry Paton latched on to a header from Ross Stewart, but his volley hit the side netting.

Celtic’s best chance came on 16 minutes and, again, Christie was involved. The midfielder weaved his way through the Ross County defence before being brought down inside the ‘D’. But Laidlaw saved well from Odsonne Edouard’s resulting free-kick.

Tom Rogic had a chance just after the half-hour mark which hit the side netting before Paton tried his luck from 25 yards, but Vasilis Barkas dealt well with the shot.

But on 38 minutes, Ross County got the breakthrough from the penalty spot. Josh Reid surged down the left flank and when he crossed to the near post, Ross Stewart was brought down inside the six-yard box. The County striker took the spot-kick himself, slotting it beyond Barkas to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Just two minutes later, Neil Lennon’s side had a great opportunity to equalise. A ball threaded through to Tom Rogic on the edge of the area was flicked on to Ajeti, but the Swiss striker’s shot hit the post and was cleared away.

The Hoops came out in the second half looking for the equaliser and there were a quick succession of half chances, with Diego Laxalt, Ryan Christie and Kris Ajer are trying their luck from in and around the box. At the other end, Stephen Kelly had an effort from 25 yards out, but it didn’t trouble Barkas.

In the 69th minute, substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi came close with a header from a Tom Rogic cross, but his effort flashed just wide. Nine minutes later, Edouard had a snapshot on the bounce from eight yards out that went narrowly wide before, on 83 minutes, Ross County doubled their lead.

An Iain Vigurs corner found its way to the far post, and Alex Iacovitte headed the ball home. It was to prove decisive, and there was no way back for Neil Lennon’s side.

CELTIC: Barkas, Jullien, Bitton (McGregor 67), Brown, Ajeti (Elyounoussi 67), Christie, Rogic (Klimala 86), Edouard, Ajer, Elhamed (Duffy 79), Laxalt.
Subs: Bain, Taylor, Ntcham, Henderson, Ralston

ROSS COUNTY: Laidlaw, Morris, Vigurs, Watson, Iacovitte, Kelly, Lakin (Tillson, 11), Paton (McKay 88), Donaldson, Stewart, Reid (Randall 75).
Subs: Gardyne, Hylton, Wright, Williamson, Munro.

League Cup disappointment as Celtic lose out to Ross County