Celtic 2-0 Ross County

Griffiths (second right) opened the scoring

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish title with a workmanlike win over Ross County that was tinged with opening-day controversy.

It looked ominous for County when Leigh Griffiths fired the hosts into the lead with a penalty after only three minutes before leaving the field injured.

But Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for a foul on Jackson Irvine.

And Stefan Johansen fired the Glasgow side's second before half-time.

It started and ended as a day of celebration for Celtic, with John Clark, the present kit man and former member of the Lisbon Lions side that won the European Cup in 1967, unfurling the title flag before the kick-off.

More important than that, or even the start to their pursuit of a fifth-straight title, was further preparation for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Qarabag on Wednesday.

With that in mind, Nir Bitton and Mikael Lustig were rested from the likely starting line-up in Azerbaijan, with 18-year-old Kieran Tierney handed only his second start at left-back in the absence of the suspended Emilio Izaguirre and with Charlie Mulgrew just short of match fitness.

Of course, summer arrival Nadir Ciftci was another absentee as the striker started a six-match domestic suspension for biting Dundee's Jim McAlister and replacement Griffiths showed early determination to make the most of the Turk's enforced absence.

The former Wolves striker ghosted behind Andrew Davies to meet an intricate Virgil van Dijk through ball, forcing a clumsy challenge from the defender who last season helped Bradford City to a famous win over Chelsea.

Griffiths had failed with a penalty in the Champions League qualifier against Stjarnan and his spot-kick this time only just squeezed under the body of goalkeeper Scott Fox.

An explanation for the less than convincing nature of the strike perhaps came moments later as Griffiths slumped to the ground still nursing the knock that came from the original challenge before eventually limping off after 18 minutes.

By then, County had nevertheless started to work their way back into the game against a side who had the added advantage of three competitive games behind them.

Jim McIntyre's starting 11 only featured two players who began last season under his predecessor, Derek Adams, but five of the 10 new faces added this summer - including the unfortunate Davies and Fox.

Irvine established himself on loan with County before making his move from Celtic permanent during the close season and he was unfortunate not to make his mark against his former club.

A moment of slackness by former Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata allowed Craig Curran to thread a ball to Irvine, who was upended by Gordon on the outside edge of the penalty box to deny the midfielder a shot at a beckoning net.

With referee Willie Collum choosing yellow instead of red, it was the green light for Celtic to breath a sigh of relief with a second goal as Gary Mackay-Steven neatly set up Johansen to power home from 15 yards.

Rather than crumble, County responded by making the hosts work for their victory in a second half of more vigorous end-to-end action and fine saves from both goalkeepers.

However, Celtic finished with composure restored, three points in the bag and a record intact of not having lost on the opening day since 1997.

Stefan Johansen scored Celtic's second goal against Ross County