Match ends, Ross County 1, Celtic 4.
Ross CountyRoss County1CelticCeltic4
Celtic regained their six-point lead at the top of the Premiership with a second-half double from Leigh Griffiths providing the platform for victory.
A brilliant Tom Rogic strike found the top corner to put the visitors ahead.
Griffiths demonstrated his quality by reacting fastest to defender Scott Boyd's slip to curl home, and he then converted a James Forrest cutback.
County gave themselves a chance when Tony Dingwall slotted home, but Nir Bitton's header ended the contest.
As well as a return to winning form following Europa League defeat by Molde in midweek, the Dingwall triumph was Celtic's fifth league win in a row, with nearest challengers Hearts having won on Saturday. County remain fifth, five points off St Johnstone in fourth.
Rogic stunner leads the way
The pattern was set early on with Ronny Deila's side enjoying possession and territory but unable to breach a well-organised and disciplined County side.
The best chance fell to the hosts' Liam Boyce as the striker connected with a header from eight yards, but he was off target.
A series of long-range efforts were the most Celtic could manufacture, but that eventually provided the catalyst to their opener.
Rogic received the ball from Celtic defender Mikael Lustig and sent a powerful left-foot shot that was instinctively struck sweeping past Gary Woods.
Set pieces offered Jim McIntyre's men their best opportunity and a well-worked corner gave Martin Woods plenty of space, but his execution was lacking.
Ross County midfielder Ian McShane broke into the Celtic box early in the second half but a heavy touch cost him dearly as the chance came to nothing.
Griffiths goals keep coming
Celtic reasserted their authority and Griffiths took a lovely touch in the box to create space for a shot, but Woods saved.
The pressure was mounting and when Griffiths seized on Boyd's mistake the inevitable occurred as he bent a lovely curling left-foot shot into the net.
An 18th goal for the season for Griffiths arrived almost immediately. Forrest used all of his pace to outstrip the defence on the right and Griffiths was ill-advisedly left all alone to fire home.
The Premiership player of the month for October's target of 30-plus goals this season looks well within reach.
Forrest went close again when he cut inside, only to drag his shot narrowly wide.
At the other end, Michael Gardyne went close with an angled drive which Craig Gordon did well to tip round the post. From the corner, the ball fell to Boyd but once again the target was missed when a goal looked likely.
Celtic's unimpressive defending offered County some hope when they failed to clear from their own box. Dingwall was the beneficiary as he danced across the box and converted.
Jackson Irvine thought he had brought his side back into contention with a header that Gordon brilliantly tipped away.
Efe Ambrose then produced a last-ditch challenge to prevent Gardyne from touching home before Irvine missed with another header.
However, when Stuart Armstrong delivered a corner on to Bitton's head, the Israel midfielder settled the match by glancing the ball into the far corner.
It was a deserved three points for the champions but County might feel a marginally improved overall performance could have produced a tighter margin than a 4-1 defeat.
Line-ups
Ross County
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 21Woods
- 2Fraser
- 6Robertson
- 5Boyd
- 12Foster
- 26Woods
- 7Gardyne
- 36IrvineSubstituted forMurdochat 78'minutes
- 8McShaneSubstituted forCurranat 59'minutes
- 19Dingwall
- 10BoyceBooked at 61minsSubstituted forSchalkat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Curran
- 14Holden
- 17Franks
- 18Murdoch
- 23Schalk
- 24De Vita
- 31Severn
Celtic
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Gordon
- 23Lustig
- 20Boyata
- 4Ambrose
- 3Izaguirre
- 25JohansenSubstituted forMackay-Stevenat 71'minutes
- 6Bitton
- 49Forrest
- 18RogicSubstituted forMcGregorat 80'minutes
- 14S Armstrong
- 9GriffithsSubstituted forCiftciat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Ciftci
- 16Mackay-Steven
- 19Allan
- 24Cole
- 26Bailly
- 42McGregor
- 63Tierney
- Referee:
- Kevin Clancy
- Attendance:
- 6,042
Match Stats
Home TeamRoss CountyAway TeamCeltic
- Possession
- Home35%
- Away65%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away10
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ross County 1, Celtic 4.
Post update
Attempt saved. Chris Robertson (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Richard Foster (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
Post update
Attempt saved. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Chris Robertson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Craig Curran (Ross County) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Callum McGregor replaces Tomas Rogic.
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Nadir Ciftci replaces Leigh Griffiths.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Stewart Murdoch replaces Jackson Irvine.
Post update
Attempt missed. Alex Schalk (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
(Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Chris Robertson.
Goal!
Goal! Ross County 1, Celtic 4. Nir Bitton (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Michael Gardyne.
Post update
Tony Dingwall (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
