Celtic stroll on, but Brown injury mars easy win over ICT
Fans all over scotland will have groaned when they heard scott Brown had to leave the field because of injury.
It takes a lot to make the Celtic captain admit he can’t go on.
His departure, with his side just 1-0 ahead, had to happen because he was suffering from a numb foot.
The knock seemed to come after a crunching challenge with Greg Tansey of Inverness.
Celtic went on to beat the only team to have taken a point from them this season, but there is now a doubt over Brown’s involvement in the Scotland squad.
He had just ended his 70- day international retirement with the intention of facing England at Wembley on Friday.
Parkhead boss Brendan Rodgers was reluctant to predict whether or not Brown would be able to play.
He said: “We’ll know in the next 24 hours. I am sure he will report, we probably just need to assess things over the next couple of days.
“It looked like a problem with the top of his foot.
“When he came off he said his foot was numb, so I think he’s taken a fair whack because he doesn’t come off easily.”
An earlier injury saw Celtic change things when Mikael Lustig was forced off with an ankle injury.
Stuart Armstrong went into a defensive role and that had Rodgers comparing him to a Brazilian.
He said: “He was like the blond Cafu. “He was up and down the wing. “The boy did brilliantly to adapt to the position because he’s played a central role for me.
“I can see him developing and getting confident.”
After a frustrating first half, the Hoops went ahead just after the break.
Callum McGregor slipped the ball into the path of Sinclair and he evaded two defenders before slotting home.
Celtic’s second goal was a double whammy for Inverness.
Greg Tansey was given a second yellow card and sent off for taking out Callum McGregor in the build-up.
Crawford Allan sensibly allowed the play to flow and a Dembele shot was pushed out into the path of Leigh Griffiths by Fon Williams.
The striker didn’t hesitate and smacked the ball into the net.
Forget any debate about his size or hold-up play, Griffiths is surely the man best equipped for his country’s No 9 role against England.
He was delighted to get 90 minutes for Celtic but he’s not convinced he will be lining up for the national anthems at Wembley.
He said: “It’s always nice to score before an international game but if you’re asking me if it’s enough to get me into the starting 11, then I’d say probably not.
“That’s down to Mr Strachan and what system he prefers to go with.
“I’ll be chomping at the bit to start the game but if not, I’ll sit on the bench and wait my turn.”
He is, however, optimistic that Scott Brown will be involved.
He went on: “Broony is a warrior, so I’m sure he’ll be fine.
“He’ll be fired up to go to Wembley and make amends for the last time we there when we got beaten.
“Having him around the place gives the squad a big boost.”
Celtic wrapped things up with a goal created by the impressive Stuart Armstrong.
He pulled the ball back from the byline and Tom Rogic fired home.
The visitors emerge with credit for keeping the score down but manager Richie Foran wasn’t impressed.
Last week he maintained there wasn’t a big gap between Celtic and rest, but has now changed his mind.
He said: “I thought we were nervy. We weren’t brave enough. We didn’t believe.
“I had said I didn’t think the fear factor was at Parkhead like it was years ago, but maybe Brendan has created that.
“I’m disappointed but maybe one of our better performances might not have been good enough for Celtic today.
“I can see them going through the season unbeaten.”
Foran had no complaints about the red card shown to Tansey but had a grumble about the referee.
He went on: “I don’t want to see players being booked but there was a nasty tackle on Liam Polworth and he’s now on crutches.
“The referee didn’t lose us the game but I don’t think we’ve got fair decisions against some of the bigger teams this year.”