ROAD BLOCK IN THE HIGHLANDS
Fon Williams and Fisher deny Celtic in Inverness
ALEX FISHER was an unlikely name to add a further bruise to Celtic at the end of a week in which they had been bashed black and blue by Lionel Messi and his divinely gifted cohorts.
With 89 minutes on the clock at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Brendan Rodgers’ side were poised for a soothing success in the wake of that record European defeat in Barcelona.
They had conceded seven in the Nou Camp, yet could easily have scored as many here. A second-half onslaught had made a hero out of Inverness goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams. The Welshman produced a succession of quite excellent saves to somehow keep the Highlanders within touching distance.
They had hardly been out of their own half since the break as Celtic pressed relentlessly, also striking the frame of the goal three times. But then came the most extraordinary denouement. A cross from Greg Tansey. A header from Fisher. And a point that ended Celtic’s flawless domestic start under Rodgers.
A summer signing from Torquay United, Fisher had made eight previous appearances for Richie Foran’s men without finding the net. This time, he had only been off the bench for eight minutes. The 26-year-old, who numbers Mansfield and Oxford among his former clubs, cared not a jot about the smash-and-grab nature of his intervention.
In contrast, the Parkhead players had plenty of time for head-shaking reflection on the long journey back to Glasgow. They may never again this season dominate a half of football to such an extent without claiming victory. Fon Williams was their nemesis.
Inverness, though, could point to a first-half controversy in which Erik Sviatchenko dodged a red card for a challenge on Ross Draper as he broke into the area. Foran certainly felt the Dane should have been dismissed.
It was 1-1 at that point, with Billy King’s spectacular strike cancelling out a Tom Rogic opener. Scott Sinclair promptly ensured a half-time lead for Celtic and, in doing so, claimed a little piece of history. He is the first Celtic player since the great Jimmy McGrory to have scored in each of the first five league games of a season.
Sinclair would doubtless have traded that distinction for a win, yet the point still leaves Rodgers’ side three points clear at the top with a game in hand. For Inverness, it lifts them above Partick Thistle at the foot of the table.
The most noteworthy inclusion in the Celtic squad was actually on the bench. After an eight-month absence due to a knee injury, and following the collapse of a proposed switch to Torino, Jozo Simunovic was back in contention. The Croatian centre-half would be introduced for the final 22 minutes.
Rodgers’ side struck first after 17 minutes. Kieran Tierney injected real incision by burrowing into space on the left flank. Collecting a pass from Sviatchenko, he twisted away from Liam Polworth before clipping in a cross with the outside of his boot. Rogic met it first-time, sending the ball bouncing off the turf and into the net. It was the Australian’s midfielder’s fifth of a season in which he has further established his merits.
The standard narrative suggested Celtic would swiftly move through the gears, settling the contest with the minimum of fuss. Inverness, though, immediately redoubled their efforts to find a leveller. Lonsama Doumbouya tested Dorus de Vries from the edge of the area. The Dutch goalkeeper was equal to that effort but he was left flailing as King struck back in a quite stunning manner.
On loan from Hearts, the winger’s connection was exquisite. From fully 25 yards out on the left flank, the ball arced and dipped as it sped towards the Celtic goal. De Vries got a hand to it, but with insufficient strength to prevent the score from being tied.
Foran’s side were buoyant. Celtic looked a little uncertain. Within four minutes, the key controversy of the opening period arrived.
Callum McGregor gave life to it as he was dispossessed by Draper, allowing the midfielder a free run towards the penalty area.
Three Celtic players pursued him, with Sviatchenko making a clumsy challenge right on the line. Draper certainly seemed to take a step across to invite the foul, but the home fans were outraged when Don Robertson simply waved play on.
The referee was well behind play and had an awkward view. His decision to award neither a red card nor a penalty counted as an escape for Celtic. And it was one they swiftly maximised to regain the lead.
Again, a defensive error lead to the opportunity, as Josh Meekings’ stray pass went straight to Sinclair. The difference here was the speed of the Celtic winger.
Racing forward, there was no chance for back-tracking Caley Thistle defenders to make up the ground. Moussa Dembele was inside him, but Sinclair was happy to take the responsibility. A crisp finish into the corner of the net proved him right in doing so.
Rodgers would have been demanding greater control and composure at the interval to see out the assignment. The first part of that equation was promptly delivered as his team dominated the second period.
Only the excellence of Fon Williams stood in their way. He beat away a Dembele drive before giving a Tierney thump similar treatment.
Rogic and Dembele combined to set-up McGregor, whose fizzing effort was deflected on to the bar. Celtic were punching holes in the home backline time and time again.
Still, though, the third goal remained elusive. And so it stayed after more fine play from Sinclair. Curling in a tremendous shot from the fringe of the area, he was crestfallen to see Fon Williams again come up trumps. The goalkeeper was a one-man resistance army.
His left-hand post was actually required to keep out Sviatchenko’s downward header from a Lustig cross. Fon Williams, though, was soon back to the fore.
McGregor could hardly have done more at the end of a sprightly run, evading defenders en route. He went for a dinked finish that looked perfectly judged until the moment a gloved hand tipped it over.
Tierney cracked a shot off the bar, before Celtic were left shellshocked by Fisher.
Even then, there was one last chance for Dembele to win it in injury-time. Inevitably, however, Fon Williams clung on to his header.