Champions Celtic restored their nine–point advantage over Rangers with an action–packed 2-0 win over Ross County in Dingwall.
The league leaders made it an incredible 28 wins out of 30 when Jota was on hand to to fire home from the spot after VAR flagged up a handball on Alex Iacovitti as he duelled with Cameron Carter-Vickers in the dying seconds of the first half. Willie Collum was given the signal to have a look and he duly pointed to the spot. Alexandro Bernabei then strengthened his case for a start against Rangers with a late cracker amid Greg Taylor's injury worry.
The second half was a breathless affair with both teams passing up big chances as the actioned ebbed and flowed. If County were hoping for some early respite it wasn't forthcoming as the champions almost pounced within the first 60 seconds as Kyogo manufactured a half yard of space but his pounce at the near post didn't come off but the intent was there.
That doesn't mean there was moments of optimism for the hosts and that was underlined as Carl Starfelt got himself in a tizzy as he fired a back pass to the on-rushing Hart who did well not to catch it from two yards away. Cameron Carter-Vickers was cursing his luck as he proved unable to cushion Alistair Johnson's looping header across the six yard box down.
More pressure followed but the next chance didn't arrive to the 23rd minute where Kyogo capitalised on Tomoki Iwata's slide rule pass into the box swivelling and firing past the post. That was followed by Daizen Maeda beating the offside trap but he miscued his cross with the dangerous Kyogo lying in wait.
A lull in the action followed before Eamonn Brophy was left miffed after Starfelt was not adjudged to have fouled him after good hustling from the former Kilmarnock forward. That sparked Celtic into action at the other end but Jota overcooked his shot after great work from Alistair Johnston. He then fired a free kick over the bar moments later. But the best attempt of the first half up until that point was reserved fo Taylor who produced a howitzer on his right foot which had Ross Laidlaw scrambling before it cracked the post. He then had another go seconds before the interval but this time Laidlaw was on hand to turn away.
The half time oranges were delayed when Willie Collum was asked to consult with VAR and a spot kick was awarded for a handball on Iacovitti. Late drama in the first period and Jota duly finished from 12 yards out. To sum up the last gasp nature of it, Malky Mackay was already down the tunnel.
If Celtic were buoyant with the breakthrough then it wasn't showing on the pitch with a slack spell after the interval which was highlighted with Starfelt's loose pass to Carter-Vickers and Gwion Edwards reverse strike from the edge of the box trickling past Hart's near post. George Harmon was next and his thumping header was palmed clear by Hart amid increasing pressure for the hosts.
Despite Mackay's men believing Kyogo could have put the game beyond doubt but he contrived to push Maeda's cutback wide of the post. Taylor hobbling off did little to ease the nerves but Celtic proved adept as counter–punchers and Oh was two shots blocked by Laidlaw after smart work from subs Sead Haksabanovic and Bernabei. Oh was at it again and fired a howitzer low past Laidlaw's post.
County were still in it but it was Celtic dealing out the hayemkakers and Jota thought he bagged a brace but watched his effort crack the post. However, the game was put beyond County when Bernabei fired home an effort five minutes into injury time.
Here's three talking points from Dingwall.
Reo difference
Tomoki Iwata's first start was smart rather than sizzling and there a notable difference with Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy absent and Callum McGregor in a further lying position. Celtic enjoyed dominant possession but there was a lack of their usual devilment when it comes to breaking down a low block. Postecoglou believes both will be back next week for the game with Rangers and that's good news for a side who are at their best when their midfield axis of Hatate, Mooy and McGegor are in full flow.
Malk that down
Celtic's dominance stretches all the way back to last season so any moments of ingenuity from the opposition will likely be seized upon by other Premiership sides in the search for an edge. County were keen to engage both Taylor and Johnston when the pair drifted inside as part of their inverted full-back remit. Did it work every time? No, however, it did force Celtic into more backwards passes back to Starfelt and Carter Vickers than they are used to. For a team which has won 28 games out of 30 any small crumb for the rest to grab will likely lead to it being replicated again. But it takes more than ingenuity to keep Ange and his charges off their rivals
Decisions looming
The conundrums facing Postecoglou have been few are far between – the perks of winning on a weekly basis. But the Celtic boss might have to get creative if Taylor is absent for next week's clash with Rangers. Bernabei replaced him in Dingwall but the former Lanus man is a work in progress – could the left–footed Yuki Kobayashi be the call in a formation tweak? If that thought was in his head then Bernabei strengthened his case with his last–gasp goal.
READ NEXT:
