YFS
Another Celtic victory and another display of great one and two touch football, which devastated their Inverness opponents and moved them six points clear of Accies. Thistle found it almost impossible to break from their half, lone striker Andrew Macrea finding precious few touches on the ball. Celtic made the most of it and Thistle paid dearly.
The first goal came after some sustained Celtic pressure, Aidan Nesbitt sent a perfect ball wide to Sam Wardrop on the right, he crossed to the back post, and Regan Hendry hammered home, 1-0. Jamie McCart then sent a good long ball wide into space for Hendry, passed inside to Conor McManus, his twelve yard strike being well blocked.
ICT found it hard to retain possession, and Celtic were merciless. The Bhoys went close, when McManus and Luke Donnelly combined well on the edge of the Thistle penalty area. The ball went wide to Wardrop who passed inside for Donnelly, his first touch letting him down on this occasion and the chance lost.
Celtic broke at pace, Wardrop sent on for Donnelly who curled the ball toward the back post, Cammy McKay however, saved magnificently. Celtic’s second eventually came from a corner kick to the back post. It was headed back inside, Donnelly gathered and shot on goal, and Jamie McCart forced over the line from close range, 2-0.
The third started from a quick break down the left, Aidan Nesbitt sent wide for Tyler Blackett, he crossed into the penalty area and Donnelly finished from ten yards, 3-0. The high tempo game played by Celtic may have taken its toll, as the pace of the game slowed toward the end of the half. Celtic still retained possession and made things difficult for Thistle, but lost some of their edge.