Celtic have restored their nine-point lead over Rangers ahead of next week's Old Firm showdown.
But they needed a hotly disputed penalty decision an and a wonderful injury time strike from Alexandro Bernabei to see off Ross County who had stubbornly defended so well in what was not a pretty watch.
The key moment came in first half injury time. VAR Steven Kirkland asked ref Willie Collum to watch a review after a ball into the box grazed Alex Iacovitti on the left arm as he has Cameron Carter-Vickers challenged for the ball in the air. Jota stuck away the penalty.
It was a scrappy second half with Kyogo missing a massive chance and then Jota hitting the bar but eventually the deal was sealed in injury time when Alexandro Bernabei - on for the injured Greg Taylor - hit a terrific left foot shot that flew past Ross Laidlaw.
How they rated:
Joe Hart 6
A risky moment in the first half when he was caught in no man’s land but survived. No real saves to make.
Alastair Johnston 7
Such a driving force for Celtic on the right side in terms of both power and pace. Delivered some great crosses and under no real pressure defensively.
Cameron Carter-Vickers 6
Not much to do in a defensive sense such was Celtic’s control of possession and found himself in high attacking areas as County backed off
Carl Starfelt 6
Looked uncomfortable at times on the few occasions Ross County got forward and made some unforced errors defensively which County couldn’t capitalise on.
Greg Taylor 7
So unlucky with a terrific effort just before half-time when his right foot shot hit the right post and also forced a great save out of Ross Laidlaw but limped off in the second half.
Tomoki Iwata 6
Looked quite comfortable early on at the base of Celtic’s midfield and produced a great pass to set up Kyogo but fell out of the game in a scrappy second half.
Matt O’Riley 6
Back in the side with Mooy and Hatate missing but didn’t really make the impact his manager would have been hoping for. Tidy but not at his normal level.
Callum McGregor 7
Steady and unflustered in midfield, playing slightly further forward than normal and used the ball well.
Jota 6
Scored the vital goal and so unlucky to hit the bar in injury time but overall a poor performance from the Portuguese star who failed to reach his normal levels
Kyogo Furuhashi 6
Uncharacteristically missed a couple of big chances, especially a snip in the second half when he was teed up by Daizen Maeda. Quieter than usual
Daizen Maeda 6
Energetic as always and his pass to Kyogo should have made the game safe earlier but rushed things at times when more precision was needed.
Subs:
Alexandro Bernabei - 6 - Wonderful strike to seal it for Celtic but caught in possession a couple of times
David Turnbull - 5 - Some decent possession and made some good passes
Sead Haksabanovic - 4 - Slashed a shot well wide and no real impct
Oh Hyeon-gyu - 6 - Industrious and unlucky with a couple of efforts after replacing Kyogo.
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