Ross County 0-3 Celtic: Scottish Premiership leaders coast to win over 10-man hosts
- Published
James Forrest has now scored for Celtic in 15 successive seasons
Brendan Rodgers was impressed by his Celtic side's "persistence" after they moved eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership by breaking down 10-man Ross County.
The hosts lost James Brown to a 10th-minute red card when an ugly, mistimed tackle was reassessed via the monitor.
County retreated into a defensive shell, frustrating the champions until David Turnbull powered in a shot in first-half stoppage time.
The one-way traffic continued, with Luis Palma adding a stunning strike and setting up a James Forrest header.
"The persistence impressed me," Rodgers said. "Credit to County because they defended well, made it difficult for us, defended man-to-man.
"But I was pleased at the guys who came in, they gave us great energy at the beginning. The guys who came on gave us extra energy and made an impact."
A 10th consecutive win for Celtic over County in all competitions was never in doubt after such an early sending-off.
The home side, who are now winless in seven league outings, played with commendable spirit but could not get up the pitch to pose any kind of threat.
The early exchanges were played in a shroud of mist, with Jordan White nodding wide for the hosts and Liam Scales prodding the ball home only for Oh Hyeon-gyu to be penalised for the preceding aerial joust.
David Munro had a good view when Brown lunged into a late challenge on Yang Hyun-jun, catching the winger above the ankle, but the referee was encouraged to review his yellow-card decision and a quick look at the replays resulted in a change of colour.
Depleted County fell into an ultra-defensive formation, camped in protecting their penalty area.
When Celtic did find a way through Ross Laidlaw saved well from Callum McGregor, Scales, Paulo Bernardo and Turnbull, while Oh's finish was disallowed following a VAR ruling for offside against provider Daizen Maeda.
However, the Highlanders' resolve was broken in the sixth minute of added time before the interval as Turnbull's drilled strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner.
The pattern of play was duplicated in the second half, with County pinned back and Laidlaw kept busy.
The goalkeeper made an impressive double save to deny Kyogo Furuhashi and Yang, then tipped over an effort from Odin Holm.
He could do nothing about Palma's wonderful goal though, as the Honduran sent the ball dipping and swerving into the net from 25 yards.
Palma enjoyed the moment and was soon celebrating again as he dinked in a clever cross for Forrest to crash in a close-range header, ensuring that he has scored in each of the past 15 seasons for Celtic.
Player of the match - Luis Palma
The substitute had a big impact in his half hour or so, cracking home a special goal and providing a smart assist
Celtic win at a canter - analysis
County may have fancied their chances of an upset on seeing six changes in the visitors' line-up, but any such thoughts were soon dispelled after a moment of rashness from Brown.
With Celtic averaging around 80% possession throughout, the match resembled an attack v defence training exercise for long spells.
Oh had the chance to impress his manager but could not find a goal on his first league start of the campaign.
The striker was perhaps unfortunate to be pulled up for the challenge that led to Scales' effort not counting and the offside TV lines were far from convincing when his first-half celebrations were cut short.
He could scarcely believe it when Laidlaw produced yet another good stop in the dying throes of the game.
Turnbull took his tally for the season to five - three against County - and played a leading role, along with captain McGregor, in the patient dismantling of their opponents.
What they said
Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "It was a sending off. I've spoken to [Brown] and he didn't actually see him. He has apologised to the group, and that's fine because there was no malice.
"It then causes us a problem playing against a really good team with 10 men. But on a day like this, if we don't get our tactics right, and the discipline, organisation, and fitness from the players; that could end up seven or eight.
"We had to make sure it didn't run away from us today, and it didn't. That is something that will stand us in good stead against the rest of the teams. They have done themselves proud today."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: " It's never easy when a team goes down to 10 men - believe it or not - because the spaces are minimal afterwards.
"Celtic are used to quality, and Luis [Palma] has quality. Celtic have always had wingers who can get you off your seat and he certainly does that."
What next?
Celtic visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00 GMT), while County make the trip to St Johnstone next Saturday (15:00).