Caley Thistle defender Gary Warren reckons he cost his side the chance of a memorable victory at Parkhead.
Inverness dominated the first half against Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic on Saturday and should have been in front at half-time when Warren somehow headed wide with an open goal at his mercy after Hoops goalkeeper Craig Gordon misjudged an Iain Vigurs free kick.
Jordan Roberts missed another great chance after the restart before goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and a Leigh Griffiths double gave Celtic a 3-0 win.
Reflecting on his missed chance, a frustrated Warren said: “The goalkeeper came out, flapped and missed it.
“That’s usually his bread and butter and I was expectied him to catch it. I think if it had hit me straight on the nose it would have gone in. But, unfortunately, it was just one of those things.
“If we had gone in 1-0 I think we would have won the game, but if we don’t take chances we always leave ourselves open, in the second half especially.
“They’ll always have half a chance and fair to play to them, they had three good chances and took them.
“We’re disappointed. In the first half, the way we played we deserved to be in front.
“But we go on to Dundee next week and we have to pick up three points.”
The result moved Celtic six points clear of nearest challengers Aberdeen, who Caley Thistle defeated 3-1 last Monday.
After facing both title rivals, Warren expects the Hoops to be too strong for Derek McInnes’ Dons.
He said: “Yes, I think so. At the start of the season people always look at Celtic as being the main contenders to win the league. I know Aberdeen have pushed them close – and all credit to them this season – but I think Celtic have strength in depth and it will carry them over the line.”
Griffiths’ goals – took his tally to 32 for the season with his latest double – could help tilt the title in Celtic’s favour.
Warren added: “In the first half I don’t think he had any chances at all but then in the second half, as soon as he got half a chance, he put it away.
“He’s scored 32 goals now and it’s only February, so credit to him.”