Ross County 1
Celtic 3
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Source unknown.

A valiant County fought-hard but couldn’t take a point from the reigning champions in Dingwall.

A trio of goals from Kyogo, Moritz Jenz and Liel Abade saw off the Staggies who had initially leveled via a superb Alex Iacovitti header.

It leaves Ross County yet to earn a point but have much to take away from their initial two matches of the campaign – against two of last season’s top three.

Malky Mackay made two changes to the side that lost at Hearts a week previous with David Cancola and Ben Paton replacing Josh Sims and Owura Edwards.

The early stages saw both sides get a feel for the game with a corner each the best either could muster, though Cancola picked up an early yellow for pulling back Callum McGregor in midfield.

The first real flash at goal came the way of Celtic as Jota shrugged off three defenders before hitting an effort from the centre of the box which deflected wide.

With 20 minutes gone Celtic had another big chance with a free-kick 25-yards out just right of centre, which was taken by O’Riley but easily dealt with by Ross Laidlaw. Minutes later more good work down the right from Jota saw him cross perfectly for Maeda who couldn’t direct his header on target.

County responded well forcing an error in the Celtic half, a long throw from Jack Baldwin bundled across the box before Ross Callachan fired over the bar.

Goalkeeper Laidlaw was called into action again on 38 minutes when Kyogo had sight of goal inside the box, but his thumping effort was well saved before a follow-up sailed wide. A minute later Cameron Carter-Vikers made a marauding run through the County defence before a shot deflected wide.

County’s defence was standing tall as Cancola made a brilliant goal-saving block before O’Riley sent a follow-up cross wide after meeting it with his head just yards out.

Half-Time: County 0-0 Celtic

Mackay made two changes at half-time handing a league debut to Victor Loturi who came on alongside Owura, replacing Dom Samuel and Paton.

Just minutes into the second period Celtic finally broke the County backline. Jota made a run down the left before firing a low ball into the mixer which Kyogo finished into the bottom left corner to give the visitors the lead.

With Celtic seemingly in control, County won a corner and a chance to pull things level – and so they would. Iacovitti met the cross with a powerful header that whizzed past Joe Hart. All square.

Moments later Celtic would reply, Jota on the turn just left of centre sent a shot just inches wide of Laidlaw’s goal.

County didn’t sit back following the goal and pressed for another, Callachan sent through Hiwula and with three defenders to beat in the Celtic half was dragged down on the edge of the box by Moritz Jenz who picked up a booking. Owura stood over the free-kick and drove it through the wall before Hart just about managed to stop the score-line being reversed.

Both sides searched for the next breakthrough and with seven minutes remaining it was the visitors who found it, with Jenz meeting a cross to head a net-bursting effort to restore the Celtic lead.

County looked to reply as best they could but as injury time began to tick over it was the reigning champions who sealed the game once and for all as Abada added a third.

* Match report courtesy of Ross County Football Club *.