Celtic survive Betfred Cup scare against part-time Alloa with late, late show

It could all have been quite different, too, if Rodgers’s side had been reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time after goalkeeper Craig Gordon took out opposition striker Greig Spence with a blatant foul.

Read more: Alloa boss Jack Ross sees red after Celtic's Craig Gordon escapes with just a yellow

When James Forrest and then Moussa Dembele netted outstanding individual efforts in the closing stages it was a relief for a manager for whom the memory of defeat to the Lincoln Red Imps in Gibralta back in July remains a painful one.

Chris Davies, the Celtic assistant, had insisted the home would take their part-time opponents seriously in the pre-match press conference and he was true to his word. Nir Bitton, Scott Sinclair and Erik Sviatchenko were all rested. But, that trio aside, it was a first choice side.

Scott Brown started as the deep-lying midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 formation that Brendan Rodgers switched to. The captain had Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic stationed just in front of him. The new-look line-up quickly took control of the match.

Read more: Alloa boss Jack Ross sees red after Celtic's Craig Gordon escapes with just a yellow

In the first half, Dembele had a shot well saved by Neil Parry, Kieran Tierney hit the crossbar after cutting inside from the left and striking a fierce half-volley and Forrest fired wide from close-range when he really should have netted.

In reply, Alloa, who are sitting on top of Ladbrokes League One after winning 11 of their 12 competitive fixtures this term, could only muster a speculative attempt from distance by Spence and a soft Ben Gordon header. Craig Gordon gathered both efforts easily.

But when a team dominates without taking their opportunities they always run the risk of being punished on the counter attack by their opponents. That is what very nearly happened three minutes before half-time.

The ball was played upfield into the Celtic half by Jordan Kirkpatrick and Spence became involved in a race for it with Kolo Toure. Sensing that his team mate was going to be beaten, Gordon came charging off his line to clear the danger.

The keeper’s reckless attempt to connect with the ball was badly-timed. He missed his intended target and collided with the player sending him sprawling to the turf. It was the challenge of an individual who had spent the last four games out of the first team.

Spence only had the keeper to beat when he was taken out, but referee Alan Muir only decided to show a yellow card. Gordon could consider himself highly fortunate not to be ordered off.

Patrick Roberts, who had been strangely subdued in the opening 45 minutes, made way for Sinclair at the start of the second half and his replacement certainly injected greater incisiveness into Celtic’s attacks. They could still, though, find no way through a resolute back line. Armstrong, Dembele, Rogic, Forrest and Sinclair all failed to his the target.

Forrest, who was a deserved recipient of the Man of the Match award, secured a place in the last four of the competition in the 83rd minute when he came in off the right wing before cutting a low shot past Parry. Demeble’s goal in the final minute of regulation time was also a screamer. But it was not a comfortable night for the victors.

Helping Celtic to keep a clean sheet in a Betfred Cup tie against part-time Alloa in a stadium that was not even half full offered little indication of how Jozo Simunovic is performing after an eight month lay-off.

Facing Manchester City, Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Raheem Sterling et al, in a Champions League group match at Celtic Park a week today will, it is fair to say, be a far sterner test of his physical fitness and defensive abilities.

Read more: Alloa boss Jack Ross sees red after Celtic's Craig Gordon escapes with just a yellow

Yet, the fact the Croatian centre half started his second game for the Glasgow club in the space of four days was intriguing all the same and suggested that he may feature increasingly prominently in the months ahead.

The 22-year-old’s surprise proposed move to Torino fell through at the end of last month after the Italian club were unable to agree a transfer fee with their Scottish counterparts.

But Brendan Rodgers is adamant he has a future at Parkhead and having started him against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in Sunday and then again last night against Alloa it would appear that he does.

Simunovic looked bright in the 71 minutes he spent on the park and received a warm round of applause from the home support when he made way for Ryan Christie.

Has he done enough to displace Erik Sviatchenko on a regular basis? Time, and perhaps the Ladbrokes Premiership meeting with Kilmarnock on Saturday, will tell.