NO RELIEF FOR FON WILLIAMS

BACK aching from a bruising defeat to Celtic, Inverness Caley Thistle goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams expects no respite on international duty. ‘I had a bad back before this game,’ said the Welshman. ‘After a week of shot-stopping against Gareth Bale, it will be even worse.’ It takes bravery to keep goal for Inverness and Wales. Critical of his team’s fortitude at Parkhead, Richie Foran could have no complaints over his keeper. But for a superb fingertip stop from Leigh Griffiths, the margin of defeat would have been worse. ‘I got a little finger on it. It was a good hit and I got it away for a corner. We then had a few words about it. It was a great strike and I was delighted to get a touch on it — and get it over the bar. ‘They are a fantastic side — there’s no hiding that. ‘They were in the Champions League midweek and now they are playing us here. ‘We went down to ten men and that made it easier but, they are a fantastic side. ‘We put ourselves about a bit but we wanted to get on the ball a bit more and be better on the ball — but we weren’t good enough on the ball and we got punished.’ The only team to take points from Celtic in the league, Inverness were stuffy, resolute and physical until the second goal, and the loss of Greg Tansey to a second booking for clattering Callum McGregor. ‘We wanted to show: “Okay, you can play football, but so can we”. ‘However, when we went down to ten men, we had a mountain to climb. ‘They keep the ball for fun and you might not even get a touch when they are like that. ‘It’s very, very difficult. The last half an hour is tough because they are so strong and have the extra player to come at you wave, after wave.’ Better teams than Inverness have lost heavily at Parkhead. After a wretched start to the season under their new manager, the admirable Highlanders have now lost just two in ten matches. ‘It’s a good record, unbelievable for a club like ours. But Celtic are the best team in Scottish football, you come here and you have to fight and prepare for a long afternoon. And, with ten men, it becomes constant waves of attack. ‘It’s tough but you roll up your sleeves and do your best and try to get something but today wasn’t good enough. ‘Luck has to be on your side as they have quality throughout. Organisation, and to work your socks off, is needed as well as things to go your way.’