DUFF & READY
The 300 Staggies fans, among the first allowed back in Scotland as part of a Covid-19 test match, were left with little to cheer about.
Not that they would have been allowed, given strict guidelines for returning supporters.
It was a significant day for Scottish football punters.
But it was the Hoops faithful who were missing out on seeing their side rack up the goals.
They were forced to watch a third consecutive Scottish Premiership win on television from the comfort of their homes.
In normal circumstances, the long trip north on the A9 would have been well worth it with Neil Lennon’s nine-in-a-row champions running out emphatic winners with new Bhoy David Turnbull making a late debut.
Celts remain six points behind leaders and rivals Rangers with two games in hand – the first of those against a Covid- hit St Mirren on Wednesday that could see them cut the gap to three points.
That will be odds- on given the Buddies keeper crisis and on the evidence of this rout where the Hoops netted five but had capacity to still move up the gears.
Odsonne Edouard won and coolly converted a third-minute penalty as he made a scoring return to the Celtic line-up.
Partner Albian Ajeti doubled the lead with his third goal in as many Scottish Premiership games.
Shane Duffy marked his debut with a goal on the hour before Kris Ajer and sub Patryk Klimala completed the hammering against a County side who will feel the scoreline was harsh on them.
Stuart Kettlewel l ’s men had chances and hit the woodwork twice but met Vasilis Barkas in inspired form as the Greek answered any of his critics with a solid show.
It was a huge day for the smattering of Staggies fans lucky enough to be selected for a ticket for this, one of two Premiership test events, which boss Kettlewell admitted was a “big motivation” for his players.
Not since the other half of the Old Firm were the visitors 188 days ago had supporters been allowed through the turnstiles – and the 300 present yesterday was the first small step to getting crowds back regularly.
They were dotted around the Global Energy Stadium’s South Stand with a list of rules that were always going to make it a difficult afternoon.
Ireland skipper Duffy was thrust straight in for a quickfire Celtic debut in a back three with Ajeti handed his first start alongside Edouard in a two-pronged attack – and all three were on target.
And it took Celtic’s talismanic Frenchman just three minutes to make his mark after missing the Euro defeat to Ferencvaros and win over Motherwell.
Edouard had netted a couple of penalties for Les Bleus Under-21s against Georgia and Azerbaijan last week so had plenty of practice from the spot – and it showed with his coolly taken opener.
The striker won the penalty after Jordan Tillson tugged his shirt as he made his way into the box after a neat one-two with James Forrest.
He dusted himself down to tuck the ball low into the corner, sending Ross Laidlaw the wrong way. It was a blow for the Highlanders but they refused to let their heads go down and were the width of the post away from a leveller.
Iain Vigurs’ free-kick was allowed to travel all of 40 yards and Barkas got a fingertip to touch it onto the woodwork.
But if that gave the home side a bit of hope then they were left with a mountain to climb when the champions doubled their advantage with 20 minutes on the clock. Callum
Turnstiles are open and so are floodgates as Shane fires up Hoops
McGregor swung in a corner from the left that the County defence failed to deal with. Ajeti pounced to fire beyond Laidlaw who got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.
It kept up the Swiss international’s impressive strike rate with his third goal in just 56 minutes of domestic football since his £ 5m switch from West Ham.
That kind of finishing showed the difference between the sides.
Barkas made a superb save at the other end from Ross Stewart’s header after a great cross from Billy Mackay who later limped off. He was replaced by Oli Shaw and he was almost gifted a golden chance.
Barkas slipped as Christopher Jullien passed back to him but the keeper managed to stick out a leg to clear.
The Greek goalie urged fans to give him time to show what he can do and he certainly made big saves at key times here – pulling off another fine stop to deny Stewart early in the second half.
Celtic again made the Staggies pay for their profligacy when they added a third to kill off any chance of a comeback. It was a dream debut goal for Duffy who got on the end of McGregor’s corner to power a header beyond Laidlaw.
The Irishman’s fellow stopper Ajer then got in on the scoring act just a few minutes later when the Norwegian tapped home from close range from Olivier Ntcham’s cut back.
Klimala – on for Ajeti on the hour – should have added a fifth but his shot was blocked on the line by Alex Iacovitti after good work from Edouard. The Pole soon made up for that when he converted from om fellow sub Moi Elyounoussi’s si’s perfect assist.
Still the home side kept going ing as they searched for that goal oal for their fans to cheer but the wait will continue until they’re ’re allowed back in after Shaw’s w’s late free-kick came back off the woodwork.
SHANE SAILING Duffyfy heads home and (right) Ajeti, Ajer, Edouard and Klimala share the goals