LENNY PRAISE FOR GRIFFITHS
HOOPS MAKE MOST OF AN EMPTY
as a trialist, was Celtic’s Ross Doohan. Parkhead chiefs are set to sanction a switch for the youngster to Dingwall once they get a new keeper of their own into the building and this was an opportunity afforded to him.
Unfortunately he hadn’t touched the ball before picking it out of the net.
Lennon’s team moved the ball from side to side with purpose and crispness.
When it was shuttled out to Taylor, his cross was driven low towards the six-yard line. Donaldson attempted a clearance but the defender’s wild swipe sliced high into the air and looped over the head of Doohan.
It would soon be 2-0 as Elyounoussi finished sweetly after terrific build-up work down the right side from the Frimpong and Forrest combination.
The right-sided raiders worked a one-two and the full-back’s splendid pick-out of the Norwegian in the box was given the treatment it deserved by the Saints loan man, who guided it into the net with precision.
Forrest hit the bar with a deflected shot and Frimpong was denied by Doohan. Scott Bain, who started last term before Forster arrived and could do so again when Accies visit if no keeper is signed this week, made one first-half save from Connor Randall but had nothing else to do.
Randall was one of three Staggies signings who started and got a severe test from Taylor and Elyounoussi at right-back.
Alex Iacovitti had to deal with Edouard and Regan Charles-Cook spent most of his time tracking back runners from wide midfield positions.
The sight of Taylor limping off just before the interval to be replaced by Kerr McInroy was a concern for Lennon. The left-back was clattered by a Randall tackle that could have copped a severe punishment from referee Greg Aitken. But Lennon revealed it is not serious and he should be ready for Hamilton.
The second half was a box-ticking exercise. Forrest, McInroy, Ryan Christie, Christopher Jullien and McGregor all came close for the home side, while Oli Shaw screwed a County chance wide. Bain also saved from impressive Staggies kid Josh Reid, Lee Erwin and sub Ross Stewart.
None of that late trio of saves would have done Bain’s confidence any harm.
On the whole it would have been similar emotions for Lennon.
Bain, Frimpong, Ajer, Jullien, Taylor (McInroy 44), Brown, McGregor, Forrest, Christie, Elyounoussi, Edouard. Subs not used: Hazard, Klimala, Connell, Welsh, Dembele.
Doohan, Randall, Reid, Iacovitti, Donaldson, Vigurs (Mackinnon 89), Charles-Cook, Draper (Stewart 77), Shaw (Wright 89), Erwin, Paton. Subs not used: Williamson, Kelly, Munro.
CELTIC – ROSS CO –
FROM BACK PAGE for returning from lockdown out of shape.
He was dumped for the Hoops’ Loughborough training camp and trip to France but has grafted hard to win back the confidence of his boss.
Lennon said: “While I gave him a bit of criticism, I’ve got nothing but praise because he has got himself in great condition.
“I was delighted to see the condition he has got himself in when we came back this week. There is a massive difference. Huge.
“It’s all down to him. He has to maintain that but it’s been a great response.
“Leigh can give us so much – goals, link-up play and game intelligence.
“It’s a great boost. He has got himself to a really good level and it’s now important he maintains that because he will be an asset to us.”
While Griffiths is back in the fold, Lennon is still assessing the capture of an additional attacker with Ajeti firmly in the mix.
The Swiss international will be allowed to depart the Hammers having failed to make a major impression following his transfer from Basel last summer and Celtic are eyeing a potential deal.
Although West Ham would prefer a transfer fee, it is understood they are open to a loan move for Ajeti, 23. And Parkhead is a possible destination with Irons boss David Moyes aware of the interest from his old club.
Peterborough United’s Ivan Toney has been scouted while the club is also aware of the availability of Scotland striker Steven Fletcher, who is a free agent after being allowed to leave Sheffield Wednesday.
Lennon simply said Fletcher would be on “a long list of players that I am sure a lot of clubs are looking at” as he refused to be drawn on any specific target. Celtic are also hunting a goalkeeper with AEK Athens ace Vasilios Barkas firmly on the radar.\
Lennon said: “I am hoping to add to the squad. There’s no question about that.
“Hopefully this week we’ll see a couple of things coming through.
“We’ll see. Sometimes these things can take a bit of time
“I am happy with the squad. But we can improve it and that’s what we are looking to do. We do want to bring players in and I don’t think we are a million miles away.”
Lennon, meanwhile, was thrilled at how his team coped with their first experience this season of playing at an empty Parkhead as they defeated Ross County.
Club chiefs used fake crowd noise to try to break the silence and the boss, who confirmed full-back Greg Taylor’s injury is not serious after he limped out of the 2-0 win, said: “You miss the noise and the colour.
“We all have to find a self-motivation and a motivation for the team.
“It’s important to have that real drive and, if we need to drag a few along with us, then we will.
“The players have to get used to this new environment and make sure they don’t let their levels drop.
“I was pleased with the intensity. We played with good speed.
“The workrate and general fitness levels were pretty good. I got everything we wanted out of it.
“We have another game against Hibs and it will be a totally different team.”