Caley Thistle were extremely unfortunate to be defeated 1-0 by Celtic at Parkhead, in a match they deserved to take something from.
John Guidetti’s goal four minutes inside the second-half proved decisive, however, Inverness created a host of late chances with the hosts highly thankful to goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska for keeping his side in the match.
John Hughes’ only change for Inverness was to relegate forward Billy Mckay – without a goal since the opening day of the season – to the bench, with defender Carl Tremarco coming in.
Ronny Deila made two changes from the side that thrashed Partick Thistle 6-0 to reach the League Cup semi-finals in midweek, with first choice keeper Craig Gordon replaced by Lukasz Zaluska, while Mubarak Wakaso came in for Callum McGregor.
Caley Jags were first to threaten after winning a corner within the opening minute. The ball eventually reached Graeme Shinnie on the edge of the box, but his powerful right-footed shot was grasped at the second attempt by Zaluska.
Celtic showed their threat at the other end however, with John Guidetti blazing over from Stefan Johansen’s cut-back, before Mubarak Wakaso saw his shot deflected behind by Tremarco.
Scott Brown should have done better shortly before half-time with a low drive from the edge of the area that drifted just wide, however the Caley Jags were undone under controversial circumstances on 49 minutes.
Although Danny Williams appeared to be taken down by Brown in the middle of the park, with the ball eventually breaking for Guidetti in the penalty box to drill low beyond Dean Brill – with nearly the entire Inverness team venting their fury at referee Craig Thomson’s for allowing the goal.
Inverness responded well, with breakaways offering shooting opportunities for Williams and Shinnie, however neither was able to get an effort on target.
John Hughes brought on Billy Mckay, Ryan Christie and Aaron Doran as the visitors pressed for a late equaliser, with Greg Tansey blazing a snapshot over from 16 yards, before Tremarco headed over from a corner.
Under a siege of pressure Zaluska somehow managed to save at point blank range from Mckay and Watkins, however, the Caley Jags could not find a path to goal and were highly unfortunate to leave the game empty-handed.