Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw bigs up Celtic talent

By David Walton

October 21, 2019

Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw has been bigging up Celtic’s quality, and claimed that we “killed” them on Saturday.

Celtic managed to rack up a highly-convincing 6-0 rout over the Staggies at Parkhead. Despite the goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi (x2), Odsonne Edouard (x2), Callum McGregor, and James Forrest, it could’ve been so much more.

The Hoops seemed to cut Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson’s men open with the simplest of ease. It almost felt as though there was a chance every minute. It’s said far too often in one-sided games that it could’ve been 10. On Saturday, however, it could’ve been even more than that.

Odsonne Edouard could’ve had four goals on another day (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Laidlaw must’ve felt like he was being punished for his sins. And, speaking in the Scottish Sun, he was quick to big up the Hoops’ display.

“We caught Celtic on a really good day, they were brilliant. We just couldn’t live with them. It was just the speed of them, they had players everywhere — standing in the goals, I could have sworn they had two or three more players than us, at least.

“They came at us from every angle, they absolutely killed us in behind. They had so many players in different areas who were brilliant. Thing is, we were pretty positive to come in just 1-0 down at half-time after them having had so many chances.

“We were still in the game, but we lost a poor goal straight after the restart and next thing it was 4-0 after 50 minutes.”

A classy response from a fine performer on the day

Laidlaw may not be everyone’s cup of tea as a goalkeeper, but he’s showed real class here. He’s not going to make a fool out of himself and pretend that County could’ve done much to stop the Hoops.

Ross Laidlaw signed from Hibs in the summer (Hibernian FC via Getty Images)

He can also be delighted with his own performance. He denied the in-form Odsonne Edouard on several occasions, as well as halting efforts from the likes of James Forrest and Tom Rogic respectively.

Had it not been for Laidlaw’s fine display, County could’ve had a real embarrassment on their hands. But it wasn’t to be regarding double-digits. Celtic will hardly lose sleep over it, but Laidlaw can be pleased with his contribution. He saved a shred of respectability for his club on the day.

He’s right to also concentrate on how we done County in behind on so many occasions. The accuracy of Celtic’s passing on the day was a joy to behold. It’s exactly the kind of high-tempo display Neil Lennon will be after consistently at Parkhead.

Neil Lennon was delighted with what he saw yesterday (Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There were no downsides on the day. You could maybe point to some of the finishing in the first half and be frustrated. But how picky would that be?

It subsequently piled the pressure on Rangers to great effect. And, considering the garbage they mustered up at Tynecastle yesterday, that pressure worked a treat.