Celts freeze out County threat in 4-1 win | OneFootball

Scottish Premiership

Saturday, January 11, 2025

The Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall

ROSS COUNTY…1

(White 60)

CELTIC…4

(Kyogo 40 & 81, Engels 96, McCowan 98)

The Celts overcame sub-zero temperatures in the Highlands and a Ross County team in good form to secure a 4-1 victory on the road today thanks to goals from Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and a double from Kyogo.

The first chance of the match fell the way of the Hoops when, in the eighth minute, a ball from Arne Engels cut through the Ross County defence and reached Kyogo.

The Japanese striker used his quick footwork to fashion a shooting opportunity, and although his shot was blocked, the rebound reached Adam Idah who was unfortunate to hit the side netting with his effort on goal.

A few moments later, Alistair Johnston had an effort on goal saved after a dangerous ball in to the box from Idah, as the Celts began to find their rhythm in the game.

However, against the run of play, the hosts squandered a massive opportunity to make it 1-0 with 16 minutes played after a mistake from Auston Trusty led to Noah Chilvers having a strike at goal but his effort went wide of the post.

That chance seemed to give Ross County confidence that they could trouble the Celts, and they began to put pressure on Celtic’s midfield as they hunted for the ball and the chance to create more openings.

In truth, Ross County’s willingness to get forward and attack the Hoops’ backline made for a more entertaining match than if they had sat back and waited to be picked off.

A half chance fell the way of Engels with 30 minutes played when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box. Given his recent form, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if his shot had sailed in to the top corner, but on this occasion, it drifted just over the bar.

Seven minutes later, Kyogo had a massive chance to give the Celts the lead from a few yards out but Jordan Amissah, the Ross County keeper, made two impressive blocks to prevent the goal.

However, with his next chance, Kyogo made no mistake. In the 40th minute, Johnston whipped a brilliant ball in behind the County defence and the Japanese striker only had to turn it towards goal from inside the six-yard box to give the champions a first-half lead, which he duly did.

Early in the second half, Yang found himself with a shooting opportunity after a lovely passing move from the Celts which went from back to front, but Amissah made a strong stop at his near post to deny the winger.

With 60 minutes played, the hosts equalised after they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kieran Phillips in the area. Jordan White, who has been in good goalscoring form for Ross County this season, converted from the spot to level the game.

With 15 minutes left, Brendan Rodgers introduced Johnny Kenny to the match from the bench and immediately he was involved in a move which almost led to a goal for the Hoops, with Alex Valle’s effort from distance drawing a great save from the Ross County keeper.

Kenny then found himself with a scoring opportunity from six yards out, but, under pressure from the county defence, he was unable to make a clean connection with the ball and the keeper was able to gather.

The champions regained the lead with 10 minutes of the match remaining and once again it was Kyogo who was the difference maker for the Celts.

An excellent cross from Engels evaded the hosts’ defence and reached Kyogo who bulleted a header towards goal which not even a strong hand from Amissah could prevent from reaching the top corner.

With two minutes of the match remaining, Celtic had a massive shout for a penalty after Yang was bundled to the ground by James Brown as he tried to connect with a great searching ball that had been sent in by Kyogo.

The referee initially deemed there to be nothing wrong with the challenge, but after what seemed like an eternity he was sent to the VAR monitor and eventually awarded the Celts the penalty.

Engels stepped up to the spot and sent the ball to the keeper’s left, but the effort was saved by Amissah.

However, the penalty was retaken after VAR spotted that the goalkeeper had moved off of his line, and, opting to go to the opposite corner with his second attempt, Engels found the back of the net and secured the three points for the Celts.

Luke McCowan then added gloss to the victory by adding a fourth in the 98th minute after another excellent passing move from the Hoops, with the final pass to McCowan coming from Kenny.

Brendan Rodgers and his men will now begin their preparations for visiting Dundee at Dens Park on Tuesday.