CELTIC 5 ROSS COUNTY 0
UNSTOPPABLE Celtic pulverised Ross County in a first-half goal procession at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Highlanders, who made life so tough for Brendan Rodgers’ men in Dingwall last month, were blown away on this one-sided occasion.
The match was over as a contest before the interval as the rampant Hoops blitzed in five goals without reply.
A green and white hurricane surged through the visitors’ ranks and the champions’ stars queued up to put the ball in the net.
Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paul Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah piled the misery on Don Cowie’s struggling side who had no answer to the tempo of their opponents who were utterly ruthless.
The home side eased off in the second period with an eye to some important encounters coming up next month including, of course, a League Cup Final against Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden on December 15.
It took a mere 10 minutes for the champions to gain the advantage when comeback Bhoy Scales, starting in place of Auston Trusty, thumped in his third goal of the season.
McCowan, another enjoying a rare start, whipped in an inviting right-wing corner-kick and the Republic of Ireland international defender rose to powerfully head past the stranded Ross Laidlaw, the ball rattling over the line off the underside of the crossbar.
HEAD BHOY…Liam Scales celebrates another goal for Celtic.
Unsurprisingly, Celtic were in control as they moved the ball around with purpose as the visitors chased shadows.
The hosts celebrated a second goal in the 26th minute and this time it was McCowan who claimed his third goal since arriving from Dundee on deadline day.
The busy middle-of-the-park performer snapped onto a pass from Scales, dragged the ball back from his right foot onto his left to have a crack at Laidlaw.
It took a nick off Elijah Campbell as the ball flummoxed the County keeper and nestled in the back of the net.
Relentless Celtic fired in two in two minutes as they made it 4-0 and this time it was Bernardo and McGregor on target.
The Portuguese playmaker was quick to take advantage of a cutback from Daizen Maeda to whip a deadly drive into the inviting net.
Next up it was skipper supreme McGregor with another breathtaking long-range strike that sizzled beyond the flapping Laidlaw for the inspirational midfielder’s sixth goal of a prolific campaign.
The club’s anchorman is presenting his own Goal of the Season contenders with every strike a thing of beauty.
HAPPY DAZE…Callum McGregor celebrates another wonder strike.
Idah added to the hosts’ joy five minutes from the interval with a thunderbolt from just outside the box and once again Laidlaw was helpless.
The County netminder hirpled off before the interval with Jack Hamilton taking his place and facing the unenviable task of trying to repel the incessant raids of Scotland’s title kings.
Rodgers made a change at the start of the second-half as he sent on Yang Hyun-jun for Maeda.
Idah flicked one off the crossbar as the Hoops hunted down a sixth goal.
McGregor and Alistair Johnston were given a breather by the manager on the hour mark as he sent on replacements Arne Engels and Anthony Ralston.
Ten minutes later, McCowan went off to a round of applause with Reo Hatate moving in beside Engels and Bernardo.
Greg Taylor joined the action when he took over from Alex Valle 11 minutes from the end.
Remarkably, the Scotland international left-back came so close to joining the goal parade with a low shot that struck the inside of the post before being scrambled clear.
The Hoops are now five points ahead of Aberdeen who play Hearts at Tynecastle tomorrow afternoon.
All eyes are on Pittodrie on Wednesday evening when the champions are the visitors in what is certain to be an eventful confrontation.
On the evidence of this afternoon’s ruthless exhibition from the champions it is well nigh impossible to see them faltering in the north east.
TEAM: Schmeichel; Johnston (sub: Ralston 60), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Valle (sub: Taylor 79); McCowan (sub: Hatate 70), McGregor (sub: Engels 60), Bernardo; Forrest, Idah and Maeda (sub: Yang 46).
