Caley Thistle came into this game on the back of a superb win over Hearts; a run that has seen them amass 14 points from a possible 18. A run that included a win over Hibs and a draw at Ibrox. Last night, however, they came up against the champions, fresh from inflicting a humiliating score line on Dunfermline.
Caley Thistle were quick to show their intent, when Roy McBain tested Rab Douglas from 25 yards, after just 30 seconds on the clock. It was a warning that Celtic seemed to heed and it is a testament to the strength of the Jags defence that Celtic failed to test Mark Brown during a good 20 minutes of almost constant pressure. Slowly, Caley started to come back into the game and although Celtic’s superior ability was on show, Inverness looked more organised and it was no surprise that the first half ended with honours even.
Celtic looked more fired up as the second half began and it took them only 5 minutes to test Mark Brown. The Caley keeper brilliantly parried a trademark free kick from Alan Thompson on to the bar. The pressure from Celtic was relentless and it paid off in the 63rd minute when Bellamy and McGeady combined to unlock the Caley Thistle defence.
In days gone by Celtic would have used Bellamy’s goal as a platform to destroy a club from Inverness but it is a sign of just how far we have come that Celtic were content to hold there lead while trying to hit ICT on the break. However it was all over as a contest when, with just 6 minutes remaining, Celtic were awarded a soft penalty. Bellamy was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and Thompson dully despatched the resultant spot kick.