The game started off with chances coming for both sides with Ross County troubling the Celtic back four forcing a corner for the Staggies at the start of the match. The first opportunity fell to Liam Boyce after a pin point pass was slipped through to him from Christopher Routis.
After that Celtic began to grow into the game with chances coming for Griffiths and Christie, County always seemed to be a threat on the break which was shown when Boyce went through on goal only to shoot wide of the mark, luckily for Celtic.
It looked as if Scott Sinclair had given the Hoops the lead after a beautifully whipped in ball from Izaguirre was connected by the winger only to go wide of the target. After some scrappy play from both sides the breakthrough did eventually come for the Bhoys when Erik Sviatchenko scored an absolute screamer from thirty-five yards after picking up the ball to drive forward to then unleash a low shot into Scott Fox’s bottom right hand corner.
The Celts then seemed to step up a gear playing some beautifully crafted football causing Ross County many problems. The lead was then doubled when Stuart Armstrong netted his ninth goal of the campaign after intricate footwork in the box led to him shifting the ball onto his left foot to tuck the ball past the despondent Fox in the County goals.
Celtic seemed to take full control of the game after the interval with calm dominant possession, this play nearly led to a third goal when a searching ball picked out Leigh Griffiths at the edge of the six-yard box who rose well but only to head over the bar. County never really posed a threat to Celtic until the seventy minute mark, when Gordon had to act fast to parry a County effort away from his goal. The Staggies again did have an opportunity when Martin Woods came close only to be denied again by an excellent Gordon save. It did though look as if County had pulled one back when the ball knocked around the Celtic box after a corner when a shot was a fired at the goal only to be saved by Gordon’s chest. The Game was nearly wrapped up though when Dembele had a chance only to diverted away by Fox in the last minute of the game.
Overall, the game was widely open at times with opportunities for both sides. Though Celtic dominated most parts with the majority percent possession and amount of shots. They seem to be well prepared for the upcoming game against Rangers at Ibrox giving some much needed game time to Scott Sinclair and James Forrest who have recently returned from injury. Though today it was confirmed that due to an ankle injury picked up against Dundee after a horrifying challenge from Darren O’Dea, Tom Rogic will miss the match alongside Kieran Tierney who is still recovering from injury.
Declan McConville
