The incident that left Ross County boss fuming in defeat to Celtic

The Celtic Star

·7. Oktober 2024

The incident that left Ross County boss fuming in defeat to Celtic

Ross County manager Don Cowie was left frustrated with Kevin Clancy’s decision to award Celtic a free-kick in the build up to Nicolas Kuhn’s winner…

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic shoots and scores in the 88th minute to make it 2-1 to Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Nicolas Kuhn, who now has 14 goal contributions to his name so far this season scored the all important winner at the death as Celtic rallied from one behind with 15 to play to grab three points.

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Gamechangers Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan gave a new lease of life to a Celtic side who looked deprived of ideas heading into the last half hour but provided the team with a spark, and were influential in the victory. Former Dundee man McCowan has impressed every time he has featured in a Celtic jersey and was at the forefront of the winning goal in Dingwall.

His tenacity won the free-kick inside Celtic’s half leading to Callum McGregor kickstarting a quick free kick followed up by Alistair Johnston who played a well-executed pass to Kuhn who fired home.

Ross County versus Celtic; Nicolas Kuhn celebrates after he shoots and scores in the 88th minute to make it 2-1 to Celtic

Staggies manager Don Cowie was far from impressed with referee Kevin Clancy who adjudged a clear foul on McCowan, “the equaliser was a bit fortunate, and then they score a goal from a foul that I didn’t think was a foul. At that stage, we were a little bit out of shape, and then a good team punishes you which is what happened. At the time I didn’t think it was a free kick, and I’ve seen it again and it’s not. We can still react and prevent the goal, but it’s disappointing that the goal goes against us,” the County boss told Sky Sports.

“I asked the referee about it and got no response. He’s got his opinion, and I’ve got mine. I don’t think they can check it, because once the free kick is given it’s a new phase of play. It’s up to us to react to that situation. We were slightly stretched, and two passes later they score. We could go gung ho and try and attack Celtic, and that’s how the winning goal comes.”

Celtic in the end were well worth their three points, but Cowie’s side are the closest any Scottish opponent has come at taking points off a domestically relentless Hoops side.

Ross County versus Celtic; Ronan Hale of Ross County celebrates after he scores from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute to make it 1-0.

Boyhood Celtic fan Ronan Hale gave the Highlanders the lead on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Liam Scales had handled the ball inside his box. The young Irish striker required a second bite at the cherry following Kaspar Schmeichel saving his first attempt. VAR intervened as the Danish goalkeeper was slightly off his line as Hale stepped up.

With budgets being a key component of debates last week subsequent of Celtic’s drubbing in Germany, Don Cowie was keen to bring up the financial disparity between County and Celtic, “we’re playing against a massive team with a massive budget compared to what we have. How do we compete against that? It’s about good organisation and working hard, and I saw that in abundance. I’m disappointed for the group but really proud of them.”

Maybe Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers can emulate a compact style approach like the one Cowie implemented against teams who outweigh your finances. It can be done. Yet it ultimately proved to be unsuccessful as Celtic left the Highland town with all three points, and that’s all that matters really.

Ross County manager Don Cowie and Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers shake hands at the final whistle

Nonetheless, Celtic made it 12 consecutive victories against their opponents, a record spanning three years. Cowie can be delighted with his sides effort at nullifying a free-flowing Hoops but should hardly feel aggrieved at what was actually a nailed on foul in the lead up to Kuhn’s winner.

Sometimes it’s better to admire the quality of the pass from Alistair Johnston followed by Nicolas Kuhn’s outstanding composure and finish.

⏱️ "Better late than never and not for the first time!" Nicolas Kuhn scores as Celtic come from a goal behind to lead 2-1 at Ross County ⚽️
– Sonntag, 6. Oktober 2024