Celtic too strong for ICT
TWO goals in either half helped Celtic ease to victory over Caley Thistle at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
There was an enforced change for Terry Butcher to make with Richie Foran suspended following his straight red card in the 2-2 draw at Hearts last weekend.
Nick Ross, a substitute in Caley Thistle's last three games, was promoted from the bench to come into central midfield.
Celtic were making the trip to the Highlands for the second time in seven days, while having also made the trip to Helsingborgs in the week for a Champions League qualifier.
Yet there were no signs of tiredness as Gary Hooper forced Ryan Esson into a smart save at his near post.
From the result corner, however, the Hoops took the lead with only four minutes gone. Adam Matthews corner found Victor Wanyama unmarked and his header was too powerful for Esson to keep out.
Charlie Mulgrew then struck the top of the crossbar with a curling 25-yard free-kick, while at the other end Fraser Forster had to look lively to turn away Aaron Doran's long range shot.
This was a rare bright spot for Caley Thistle in an otherwise poor first half that became worse after 25 minutes.
Gary Warren was turned by Tony Watt 30 yards out, before the young Celtic forward raced in and beat Esson emphatically.
Andrew Shinnie was close to turning home a Doran cross, but Celtic remained dominant and Watt came close to scoring his second only to strike the upright from close range after good work by Filip Twardzik.
Inverness survived until the interval, but they were undone again only three minutes into the second half.
A quick free-kick caught the home defence static and Mulgrew took full advantage with a low drive from 14 yards into the bottom corner.
Moments later, Esson had to be out quickly to deny Hooper with Caley Thistle once again in disarray at the back.
Celtic were rampant and they increased their lead in the 64th minute. Emilio Izaguirre escaped the attentions of Ross to get in a cross that Matthews attempted to turn goalwards. His first effort was blocked, but he got up quickly to lay the ball back for Watt to powerfully drive past Esson.
Inverness did manage to halve the deficit courtesy of two late goals from Ross Draper, but they were little more than consolations.
CALEY THISTLE - Esson; Raven (Meekings, 54), G. Shinnie, Warren, King, Draper, Sutherland (Morrison, 54), Ross (Pepper, 66), McKay, A. Shinnie, Doran. Subs unused: Laing, Polworth, Whyte, Reguero. Booked: Draper, King, Morrison.
CELTIC - Forster; Matthews (Bangura, 68), Izaguirre (Chalmers, 76), Wilson, McCourt, Mulgrew, Lustig, Watt, F. Twardzik, Wanyama, Hooper (Forrest, 65). Subs unused: Slane, Irvine, McGregor, Zaluska.
Attendance: 6100.
Referee: W. Collum.
