Caley Thistle blow title race wide open

Caley Jags striker Adam Rooney grabbed the opener in the 3-2 win against Celtic.

CALEY Thistle sealed a pulsating 3-2 victory over Celtic to blow a massive dent to the Glasgow side’s SPL title hopes on Wednesday night.

The fact this result was achieved without suspended captain Richie Foran is even more impressive and encouraging for ICT. It now also means the Caley Jags are firmly in control of the race to finish seventh, or best of the rest.

Just after the axing of 10 players from the books, including vice captain Grant Munro, it was up to the Highlanders to see if they could have a say in where the title goes in this rearranged game.

The original fixture was set for April 2 and it was called off hours before kick-off due to heavy rainfall. So this was unfinished business for both teams.

For Celtic in particular though, this was a huge game. Trailing Rangers in the SPL title race, they arrived needing a win, or a draw as the worst case scenario to regain control of the championship battle.

There was a strange feel and atmosphere around the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, due to the 6pm kick-off because of live Champions League football on TV less than two hours later. This SPL clash was screened by ESPN, but rules state it can’t clash with another live TV game.

Caley Thistle got off to an explosive start and Adam Rooney back-heeled a cross from Shane Sutherland into the net after just six minutes. What a start for the Inverness side, although there were some reports it went in off Charlie Mulgrey. Kenny Gillet had sparked the attack by sending play out wide. It was a fine goal.

However, that lead lasted just two minutes and a break down the left flank led to Kris Commons firing an unstoppable shot past Ryan Esson into the net after getting the better of Ross Tokely.

A few minutes later, Esson got down well to hold a shot from Anthony Stokes after he was teed up by Emilio Izaguirre.

Both sides kept probing for another and Commons flashed a shot just wide of the right post on 31 minutes when he got a glimpse at goal.

The visitors had the last chance of the first half and it drew a fabulous save from Esson. A free-kick conceded by Tokely was fired goalwards by Shaun Maloney, but the keeper dived to touch the ball over the bar.

Caley Thistle pressed well after the break and nudged ahead again on 52 minutes. A clearance from Daniel Majstorovic and Munro unleashed a stunning drive high into the net.

The Highlanders were playing with confidence and this was a real test for the Celts, who were chasing a point at the very least.

The evening in the sun just got even better on 61 minutes when ICT added to the scoreline to make it 3-1.

Chris Innes sprayed the ball from the left to the right side and Sutherland beat Izaguirre and cracked a low drive in off the post and into the net with goalkeeper Fraser Forster beaten.

Celtic were on the ropes, but no team in the country is better at responding to these situations normally than the Hoops.

Commons pounced as the ball was fed to him by Hooper, but Esson got down smartly to gather it.

On 66 minutes, Paddy McCourt was introduced to spark life into their attack, with Hooper coming off.

McCourt scored cracker in Inverness on the first day of the season, so they were looking to him again for inspiration.

Esson was called on once again and he dived to divert a close range effort from Beram Kayal.

At the other end, Tokely went close with a header from an Aaron Doran free-kick.

Kayal then picked up a nasty injury and was stretchered off, replaced by Ki Sung Yueng.

Caley Thistle attacked again moments later when Rooney beat the offside trap, but his drive was blocked by Forster and Doran’s connection sent the ball high over the crossbar.

It was nearly four though on 79 minutes when Doran’s drive was blocked and Ross’s follow-up was well saved also by the Celtic number one.

With time against them, Celtic knew they had to get back into it, and quickly.

A late Scott Brown header was as close as they came within the regulation 90 minutes.

Celtic, however on 92 minutes, got their chance when Tokely tripped Maloney in the box for a penalty.

Commons kept his cool and buried a shot past Esson to set up a nervy finish.

They had appeals for another spot kick deep in stoppage time when Munro seemed to illegally halt McCourt, but referee Stevie O’Reilly waved play on.

The full-time whistle was greeted with loud cheers from the majority of the 6,702 crowd to cap an unforgettable night in the Highland capital.

Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Duff, Cox, Rooney (Morrison 90), Munro, Innes, Ross, Sutherland (Odhiambo 82), Gillet, Doran. Subs not used: Tuffey (GK), Golabek, Duncan, Sanchez, MacDonald.

Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Brown, Stokes (Murphy 58), Wilson, Maloney, Commons, Mulgrew, Kayal (Ki Sung Yueng 70), Hooper. Subs not used: Zaluska, Samaras, McCourt, Forrest.

Attendance: 6,702.

Referee: Stevie O’Reilly.