Kyogo Furuhashi fired Celtic back in front in DingwallSNS

Kyogo Furuhashi fired Celtic back in front in Dingwall

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Brendan Rodgers hailed Celtic's "mentality and resilience" after they survived a scare at Ross County to stretch their lead at the Scottish Premiership summit to 18 points.

Kyogo Furuhashi put Celtic in front just before the break but Jordan White's penalty levelled for the hosts early in the second period.

With time running out, Kyogo added his second to nudge Celtic back in front before a retaken Arne Engels penalty in stoppage time and Luke McCowan's strike added gloss to the scoreline.

"We dominated the first half and should have been more than one goal ahead," manager Rodgers said.

"When they scored and pulled it back we showed that mentality the team have. That resilience we have as a team, it's about finding a way to keep going.

"I thought the players were fantastic in cold, cold conditions. Today is about mentality and commitment. I'm just delighted for the three points."

Both sides had their chances in the first half and there were screams for a penalty from Celtic when Reo Hatate went down in the County box under pressure from Eli Campbell, but play was waved on and the video assistant referee (VAR) was happy to let the action continue.

Kyogo fired Celtic into the lead minutes after missing a gilt-edged chance as he poked in a lovely cross from right-back Alistair Johnston.

The Japan forward was flying as the half drew to a close, forcing County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah into an incredible save.

Johnston's foul on County debutant Kieran Phillips gifted the hosts a second-half penalty, which was dispatched by White for the equaliser.

Furuhashi fired a bullet header at Amissah who, despite getting a hand to it, could not keep the ball out of the net as Celtic regained the lead in the closing stages.

Engels' penalty - awarded following a VAR review of James Brown's challenge on Hyun-Jun Yang - was saved by Amissah before the spot-kick was retaken because the County keeper had strayed well off his line.

Engels stepped up again and fired into the opposite corner, then McCowan made it 4-1 when he popped the ball into the bottom corner.

County can take confidence despite defeat

The 4-1 scoreline does not do justice to the performance Don Cowie's side put in for 80 minutes. The late drama in Dingwall cancelled out the good work County did up until Celtic's second goal.

Amissah will deservedly get plaudits for his performance. Celtic ended the game with almost 80% possession and despite several clear-cut opportunities in the first 45 minutes, County made it to the break just a goal down thanks to a few cracking saves from Amissah.

Cowie's shift to a 4-4-2 formation in the second period caused problems for Celtic, particularly in the difficult conditions, and White's penalty got them rightfully level.

It took until late on for Celtic to get back in front and then they really kicked into gear. This game will not define County's season, but the display for much of the 100-plus minutes can give Cowie's side confidence,

Celtic craft champions performance

Celtic did what champions do best and, despite being under the cosh for much of the second half, they found a way to win - and win comfortably - even playing with only one fit winger in the starting XI.

Kyogo, despite being deployed out wide, looked back to his scoring best as he turned in two goals while Engels' willingness to retake the penalty sums up the confidence Rodgers' side are playing with.

Celtic are now a huge 18 points clear at the top, before Rangers take on rock-bottom St Johnstone on Sunday, and are not showing any signs of easing off despite a hectic domestic and European schedule.

What they said

Celtic penalty award 'harsh' - Cowie

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "Always disappointed to lose the game but I'm seeing improvements in terms of the team we've got.

"It's now about putting this to bed and getting ready for the cup next week."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "That resilience we have as a team, it's about finding a way to keep going.

"I thought the players were fantastic in cold, cold conditions. Today is about mentality and commitment. I'm just delighted for the three points."

'Celtic still looking to strengthen' - Rodgers

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