Inverness 1 - 2 Celtic: Celtic defeat spirited ICT

Celtic were fortunate not to be behind after the first half of today's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Inverness.

Young striker Garry Wood was guilty of missing a glorious chance when he shot straight at Artur Boruc with the goal gaping.

However, Caley were lucky to go into half-time with all 11 players on the field as Ian Black looked lucky to escape a second booking for a foul on Aiden McGeady.

Ian Black picked up the first yellow card of the day after 28 minutes for scything down McGeady, who was heading towards the Inverness box at pace.

A terrible pass from Loovens gifted Imrie a chance to run at the Celtic defence and Stephen McManus had no option but to bring down the Caley midfielder 30 yards from goal. Imrie dusted himself down before firing a well-struck free-kick inches over Artur Boruc's goal.

Garry Wood should have given Inverness the lead after linking up well with Cowie but the young striker's shot straight at a thankful Boruc.

As half-time, approached Crosas was booked for impeding Cowie.

Black was then very fortunate to remain on the park after fouling McGeady but referee Iain Brines kept his cards in his pocket.

Scott Brown was booked for a late tackle on Imrie as the game began to get increasingly scrappy.

Maloney had another chance from a free-kick just before the end of the first half but Grant Munro did well to head the ball away from danger.

Celtic had the first chance of the second half but Maloney wasted another free-kick after Robson had been fouled by Imrie.

However, the vocal travelling support did not have to wait too long to see the opening goal of the afternoon.

Robson found Lee Naylor in space and the Englishman delivered a pinpoint ball for Brown, who gave Fraser in the Caley goal no chance with an excellent finish.

Inverness defender Phil McGuire was stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury and replaced by Jamie Duff after 53 minutes.

Black had an opportunity to get his side back on level terms after good work by Ross Tokely and Wood but the midfielder's effort was tame.

Celtic made a double substitution, with Wilson and Cillian Sheridan replacing Gary Caldwell and the tiring McDonald, who had travelled to Australia in midweek.

The change had an immediate impact when Loovens ventured forward to head home his second goal for Celtic from a Robson cross.

Craig Brewster responded by changing to a two-man strikeforce, bringing on Adam Rooney for Black.

But it was Celtic who could have had a third when McGeady exploded down the right before firing a menacing ball across the face of goal that Robson was only inches away from connecting with.

With the visitors still lamenting that miss, Inverness went up the park and scored to make for an interesting finish.

Tokely's cross was well won by Rooney for Wood, who forced the ball past Boruc.