ICT dash Celtic's title hopes

CALEY Thistle inflicted what could potentially be a damaging defeat on Celtic's title aspirations with a fine display in the Highland Capital.

Inverness showed only one change from the team that lost 1-0 against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, Chris Innes coming in for Alex MacDonald, while there was a place on the bench for Dani Sanchez, out since February after breaking his hand.

The game was only six minutes old when Caley Thistle took the lead.

Kenny Gillet's ball over the top found the run of Shane Sutherland and his cross from wonderfully dispatched by Adam Rooney's at the near post, albeit with a deflection off Charlie Mulgrew.

It was an advantage, however, that lasted only two minutes as Celtic delivered an immediate riposte.

Kris Commons surged past Ross Tokely before unleashing a dipping effort from 25 yards that evaded the reach of Ryan Esson, who was at full stretch.

Inverness thought they had a chance to restore their lead moments later, but Fraser Forster surged quickly from the visiting goal to clear the danger as Aaron Doran's through ball almost found the run of Rooney.

After an early spurt of opportunities for both sides, it was Celtic who enjoyed more of the possession and Commons came close again with a low effort from the edge of the box that almost crept into the corner of the goal.

Esson has been in imperious form for Caley Thistle this season and it was his fine fingertip save from Shaun Maloney's 30-yard free-kick that kept the scores level at the interval.

minute after Celtic had failed to clear a corner.Inverness upped the tempo after the break and it was Grant Munro – one of 10 players whio have been told they can leave the club at the end of the season – who doubled the hosts tally, firing in a superb volley in the 53

minute, Shane Sutherland firing home from 14 yards with aplomb after being picked out by Chris Innes.It got even better for Caley Thistle in the 61

Both Rooney and Nick Ross had chances to put the game beyond Celtic before the Hoops were given a lifeline in the third minute of injury-time, Commons scoring from the spot after Tokely had pulled down Maloney inside the area.

Celtic then had another appeal for a penalty as substitute Paddy McCourt's mazy run eventually ended following a clash with Munro, but referee Steven O'Reilly waved away the claims.

CALEY THISTLE - Esson; Tokely, Gillet, Innes, Munro, Cox, Sutherland (Odhiambo, 82), Duff, Rooney (Morrison, 90), Ross, Doran. Subs unused: Golabek, Duncan, Sanchez, MacDonald, Tuffey. Booked: Sutherland, Tokely.

CELTIC - Forster; Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Brown, Stokes (Murphy, 58), Wilson, Maloney, Commons, Mulgrew, Kayal (Ki, 70), Hooper (McCourt, 66). Subs unused: Samaras, Rogne, Forrest, Zaluska. Booked: Brown, Majstorovic.

Attendance: 6702.

Referee: S. O'Reilly.