ROSS COUNTY 1 CELTIC 4
KYOGO FURUHASHI snapped up a double as sheer perseverance from Celtic saw them see off the determined challenge of Ross County in Dingwall this afternoon.
The champions left it late with the game deadlocked at 1-1 in the 81st minute before the Japanese ace struck with his second goal which was followed by stoppage-time strikes from Arne Engels, with a twice-taken penalty-kick, and substitute Luke McCowan.
It was breathless excitement as Brendan Rodgers’ side surged into an EIGHTEEN point lead at the Premiership pinnacle.
HIGHLAND FLING…skipper Callum McGregor and his triumphant Celtic team-mates celebrate Luke McCowan’s goal to seal the 4-1 triumph in Dingwall.
The only surprise in a fairly lopsided first-half was that it took the visitors until the 39th minute to overcome the stubborn resistance of the Highlanders.
The home goal had led a charmed life with keeper Jordan Amissah making a couple of instinctive saves and other efforts either blocked or off target.
But it was Kyogo who came up with the answer to unlock the barrier after an excellent build-up and unerring finish from the Japanese hitman.
Adam Idah flicked a cute pass inside to Callum McGregor and the skipper fed out a pass to Alistair Johnston who had spent most of the contest camped in enemy territory on the flank.
The Canadian international right-back delivered a low ball with exquisite precision and Kyogo arrived with perfect timing to whip a drive past Amissah, left helpless on this occasion.
NUMBER ONE…Kyogo Furuhashi swoops to whip the opener past County keeper Jordan Amissah.
The County netminder, snapped up on a free transfer from Sheffield United, then produced two brilliant stops to prevent the champions from doubling their advantage before the interval.
Alex Valle set up Idah with a fine cross from the left, but Amissah was down swiftly to block the drive from the Republic of Ireland international frontman.
The ball broke loose to Kyogo who worked an opening in the crowded penalty area to fire an effort on target, but once again the shotstopper was alert to the danger and diverted the effort to safety.
County had been pinned back right from the off and Idah had a good opportunity to get the opener in the eighth minute after a drive from Kyogo ricocheted in his direction.
It looked a goal all the way, but, unfortunately, the powerhouse attack-leader rushed his finishing effort and flashed the ball into the sidenet from six yards.
NUMBER TWO…Kyogo Furuhashi flicks in a brilliant header.
Two minutes later, Idah sizzled over a low left-wing cross and Johnston attempted a clever back-flick, but Amissah showed impressive reflexes to get down to his left to hold the ball.
It was practically one-way traffic, but there was a reminder County could pose a threat on the breakaway when Auston Trusty slipped and the ball was shifted wide to Noah Chilvers on the right and the forward had a clear sight of Kasper Schmeichel, but hit his shot waywardly off target.
Celtic kicked off the second period on the front foot, but Yang Hyun-jun spoiled a good opportunity by shooting straight at the grateful keeper.
The Parkhead men were stunned in the 57th minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty-kick after a shove from Johnston into the back of Kieran Phillips at the post as a cross from the right dropped into the box.
NUMBER THREE…Arne Engels makes no mistake with his retaken penalty-kick.
VAR official Greg Aitken took two minutes to decide onfield referee Matthew McDermid’s decision was correct and Jordan White levelled with a crisp drive to Schmeichel’s left as the keeper took off for his right.
Celtic huffed and puffed with a lot of industry and precious little invention against opponents who were up for a toe-to-toe struggle.
Rodgers took off Idah and the ineffective Hatate in the 73rd minute to throw on Johnny Kenny and Luke McCowan as he attempted to reinvigorate his side.
A minute later, Amissah denied Valle when the Spaniard fired in a drive from just outside the box. It took a wicked deflection, but the netminder managed to spring across his line to touch the ball over the bar.
NUMBER FOUR…Luke McCowan (half-hidden by Arne Engels) slots in the points-clincher.
It was all Celtic as they piled forward and debutant Kenny wasted the ideal opportunity of sealing his big day with a goal when he stabbed a six-yard effort right into the grateful arms of the relieved keeper.
However, the County hero had to admit defeat again in the 81st minute when Kyogo got his head to a superb cross from the hard-working Engels to power an attempt high over the shotstopper’s right-hand shoulder.
Four minutes later, Liam Scales came on for Valle as Rodgers looked for extra height in his defence to deal with the aerial menace of White and Co at set-plays.
The Hoops eventually got a third goal in stoppage-time from the penalty spot after Yang had been bowled over by a clumsy challenge from James Brown.
Incredibly, the referee didn’t see it, but once again VAR stepped in and after a four-minute delay the stick-on spot-kick was awarded.
The drama did not stop there. Engels’ low drive to Amissah’s left was pushed away, but images proved the keeper was well off his line and a retake was ordered.
CHAMPIONS TO THE FOUR…Luke McCowan celebrates as Alistair Johnston prepares to join in.
This time, the industrious midfielder made no mistake with a drive deep into the right-hand corner of the net.
Rounding off a well-earned victory in the eighth minute of added-on time, Yang and Kenny combined to set up McCowan and he swept an unstoppable drive low past Amissah to his left.
Next up, it’s Dundee at Dens Park on Tuesday.
Bring it on!
TEAM: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle (sub: Scales 85); Engels, McGregor, Hatate (sub: McCowan 73); Yang, Idah (sub: Kenny 73) and Kyogo.
