Ronan Hale has shared what Kasper Schmeichel did to try and distract him just before he scored his penalty in Ross County’s defeat to Celtic on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers had to watch his Celtic side fight for the win against The Staggies after going behind to a first-half penalty.
But a late Celtic double from Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston secured all three points for the Hoops which sent the Celtic fans home happy from Dingwall.
However, the win wasn’t without any drama after Kasper Schmeichel saved Hale’s first penalty attempt but the spot kick was ordered to be retaken after the Celtic ‘keeper moved off his goal line early.
Kasper Schmeichel’s mind games didn’t pay off for Celtic
Ross County striker Hale is a self-confessed Celtic fan, and just before he stepped up to take a second bite at the penalty, Hale shares how Schmeichel tried to put him off with some cheeky games.
Hale told the Daily Record, “I don’t know who did it (to the spot) but there was a lot of kicking around and there was a divot beside it. It was just all about getting a clean connection. Obviously there were some mind games going on, he was just talking about where I was going to put it and stuff.
“He (Schmeichel) guessed right the first time but the second time I think he just stood in the middle and it’s gone in the corner. So, thank God he did. It’s a 50-50 chance he can get his hand on it or it’s going in. Thankfully the second time I did it.
“Obviously, it’s not nice to miss. Once I’d seen the opportunity that he was giving another one, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to take it. Luckily, I scored it.”
What Brendan Rodgers said about Ross County’s penalty retake vs Celtic
To be fair to Schmeichel, it was a superb save from Hale’s first attempt but how did Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, view the decision to retake the penalty?
Rodgers said, “You’ve got to stay on your line, haven’t you? It was clear. I saw it back. I think sometimes when it’s a slow run-up like that, sometimes you want to get forward.
“There is no doubt that when young Ronan took his shot, he was off his line.”
No complaints from the Hoops manager but it was a harsh lesson for the the 37-year-old goalkeeper.
Celtic ‘keeper, Schmeichel, had the opportunity to set a new Scottish record for the most consecutive clean sheets at the start of a league season and that has now gone.
With the international break now in full swing, Rodgers has the chance to reset and prepare Celtic for a tough run of fixtures when the season resumes in two weeks time.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
