Kyogo Furuhashi scored a double as Celtic were made to work for an eventual 4-1 victory at Ross County to move 18 points clear in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hoops dominated from kick-off as they looked to extend their winning run in 2025 to three games after their Old Firm upset, and Kyogo fired in from Alistair Johnston’s brilliant pass to send them on their way.
However, Jordan White pulled County level from the penalty spot after the break following a lengthy VAR check on Johnston’s foul on new signing Kieran Phillips.
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Kyogo Furuhashi’s instinctive finish opened the scoring for Celtic against Ross County
After Kyogo’s powerful header put Celtic back in front, they were then awarded a spot-kick in stoppage time for James Brown’s challenge on Reo Hatate with Arne Engels converting at the second attempt.
Luke McCowan knocked a fourth into the net after managing three touches in the box to send the Hoops further out of reach of Rangers, who play on Sunday. Ross County remain 10th.
Kyogo’s versatility key for Celtic
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Kyogo’s cute header put Celtic ahead for the second time
Brendan Rodgers shifted Kyogo wide after Daizen Maeda joined James Forrest and Nicolas Kuhn on the injured list and Luis Palma was given compassionate leave.
Visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel looked like he had layered up for the -5C temperatures but he faced two shots inside the first two minutes as Celtic twice gave the ball away on the frosty pitch. Neither were on target.
Adam Idah stabbed a shot into the side-netting as Celtic settled down and the Irishman then set up Johnston to force the first save with a flick towards goal.
Celtic had a penalty claim rejected by Matthew MacDermid when Hatate got in front of Elijah Campbell and was knocked off balance after the pair collided.
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Jordan White’s clinical penalty drew Ross County level
Kyogo passed up a good chance when he stabbed the ball straight at Jordan Amissah from close range but he opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he steered home Johnston’s inch-perfect cross after a slick move.
Amissah made a double stop from Idah and Kyogo following left-back Alex Valle’s cross before home boss Don Cowie made a double switch at half-time, bringing on target men Phillips and White.
Hyun-Jun Yang forced a save early in the half but County’s substitution paid off when White netted after Johnston had pushed Phillips in the goalmouth.
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Take a look at Celtic’s third goal which included VAR controversy, a retaken penalty and a bullish celebration from Arne Engels!
Rodgers brought on 21-year-old striker Johnny Kenny for a debut following the Irishman’s prolific loan spell with Shamrock Rovers but he shot straight at Amissah from 10 yards with his first chance.
Celtic got back in front when Engels crossed from the left and Kyogo headed into the top corner despite Amissah getting his hands to the effort.
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Luke McCowan scores Celtic’s fourth goal at the death
Engels then netted from a retaken penalty after Brown was eventually penalised for a challenge on Yang following a VAR review. Amissah saved the first effort but was adjudged to have moved off his line after another VAR intervention.
McCowan completed the scoring when he slotted home eight minutes into stoppage time after producing some good skill.
Johnny Kenny made his Celtic debut in Dingwall
Rodgers praises ‘fantastic mentality’
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaking to Sky Sports:
“You can see the players, how they kept going.
“In games like today you’ve got to find a way to win. Really, really cold day, pitch very bobbly, very bumpy and you just have to have that mentality to get through the game.
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Brendan Rodgers praised his side’s mentality
“The players showed a fantastic mentality and ended up really good winners in the end.
“Lots of players out that have been really creative players for us, but we still end up with four goals and play them well on a really, really difficult day.
“I thought all round he [Kyogo] adapted to that position really, really well.”
‘We put our bodies on the line’
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Ross County manager Dan Cowie praised his players for putting their ‘bodies on the line’
Ross County boss Don Cowie on Sky Sports:
“I feel for the boys in terms of the scoreline.
“Disappointed that we conceded two goals in stoppage time because I’ve seen a group of players putting their bodies on the line to prevent Celtic from scoring.
“I thought big Jordan [Amissah] was excellent in net, so I don’t think he quite deserved to concede the four goals but it is what it is and we accept that and we move on.”
Kyogo ‘sensational’
Sky Sports’ pundits look at Kyogo’s impact in Dingwall:
Chris Sutton:
“He’s such an intelligent footballer and in times in games when he plays as an out-and-out centre forward he doesn’t get enough touches but he’s so clean and so aware.
“His movement is sensational.”
Kris Boyd:
“His movement is scary, it would terrify you if you were a defender.
“When you’ve got balls like that coming in you’re always going to get chances but his movement is unbelievable.”
