GREEN FOR MO
Jenz is instant hero with crucial goal
Celtic fans didn’t know much about Moritz Jenz when he arrived on loan from Lorient.
But with one nod of his head in Dingwall he got their seal of approval – and became an instant Hoops hero.
With 84 minutes on the clock the champions were in serious danger of dropping their first Premiership points of the season.
Ange Postecoglou had thrown on Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis in a desperate attempt to grab a winner. But instead it was Jenz who popped up to seal victory over Ross County – before Abada put the icing on the cake in injury time.
Celtic had led in the Highlands through Kyogo Furuhashi ’s opener but Malky Mackay’s men levelled through Alex Iacovitti and must have felt they were going to earn a draw.
No one – not even Postecoglou – could have predicted Jenz would be Celtic’s matchwinner
The Celtic boss said: “He was great today. He’s been training well. If I have to make a change to the line-up I’m really confident about the guys coming in.
“Obviously they have to take their opportunity but they’re ready for it and Moritz was today.
“It was a different game for him. There were a lot of contests in the air he needed to win and he had a lot of the ball. I thought he showed good composure, considering he’s only been here a couple of weeks. It’s a great way for him to start his Celtic career.”
Postecoglou had to make that change at the back after Stephen Welsh called off due to illness pre-match. But the Celtic gaffer was boosted by the return of Carl Starfelt who made the bench.
David Turnbul l slotted in seamlessly to Celtic’s midfield three in place of Reo Hatate.
County had gone for Hearts’ throats at Tynecastle last week and were unlucky to leave with no points. But Mackay was more conservative against the champions. Wide men Josh Sims and Owura Edwards were left out, with Ben Paton and David Cancola drafted in.
One thing you know about any Mackay team is how well drilled they are and that was certainly the case in what, for the neutral at least, was a pretty drab affair.
That was largely down to County’s military organisation – Cancola was excellent as their midfield anchor – but also a lack of tempo about Celtic’s passing.
Jota was the away side’s main danger man but the Portuguese winger isn’t as effective playing off the right flank. Daizen Maeda, on the other side, flashed a header over from a Jota cross but Celtic were struggling to create clear-cut chances.
Towards the end of the half they stepped up a gear. Kyogo stung the palms of Ross Laidlaw with a left- foot drive after being picked out brilliantly by Turnbull.
Then Maeda thought he’d scored with another header from Greg Taylor’s centre – but the County keeper pulled off a super save.
At half-time Mackay would have been pleased to still be well in the game. But he introduced Edwards and Victor Loturi to try to pose more of an attacking threat. What happens then?
They’re breached defensively inside the f irst f ive minutes of the second half – although Postecoglou has to take plenty of credit for that.
He also changed it at the break, bringing Abada on for Maeda and shifting Jota to the left.
And almost immediately he produced a superb nutmeg on the touchline, slalomed into the box and found Kyogo.
The Japanese striker, who had been quiet until that point, produced a clinical finish past Laidlaw for 1- 0.
It was magnif icent set- up play from Jota who suddenly looked in the mood.
County’s best opportunity to cause Celtic a problem in the first half had been set-pieces. And
that’s how they unexpectedly got level.
Edwards’ corner should have been dealt with by the Hoops defence but while they were static Iacovitti hung in the air to send a downward header beyond Joe Hart. It was a poor goal for Celtic to lose but priceless for the home side in giving them an injection of belief.
Mackay’s subs were having a positive impact. After Jordy Hiwula had been hauled down by Jenz, which earned the German a booking, Edwards’ free- kick forced a save out of Hart.
But as the game wore on of course, Celtic went in search of the points and put the Staggies’ backl ine under pressure.
Giakoumakis was thrown on beside Kyogo to give them a twin threat up front.
But it was big defender Jenz who was the unlikely hero.
Jota worked a short corner with Taylor before clipping in a delicious cross that was begging to be put away.
The German rose above everyone to bul let a header past Laidlaw and send the Celtic support behind that goal wild.
Even at 2-1 Mackay’s men felt they could still get something out of the game. But as they tried to push for an equaliser they were picked off and Abada put it to bed.
After pickpocketing County at the back he exchanged passes with Jota then curled an injurytime wonder strike into the corner.