Ross Co 1 – 4 Celtic happymamay

Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice as Celtic beat Ross County 4-1 to take an 18-point lead in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops were in control from the start as they looked to extend their winning run in 2025 to three matches after an Old Firm upset, and Kyogo fired in from a brilliant pass from Alistair Johnstone to set them on their way.

However, Jordan White pulled an equalizer for County from the penalty spot after the break following a lengthy VAR check on Johnstone’s foul on debutant Kieran Phillips.

After Kyogo’s powerful header put Celtic back in front, they were then awarded a stoppage-time penalty for a James Brown challenge on Rio Hatta, with Arne Engels scoring at the second attempt.

Luke McEwan slotted home the fourth goal after managing three touches in the box to put the Hoops out of reach for Rangers who play on Sunday. Ross County remains in 10th place.

The key to Kyojo’s versatility for Celtic

Brendan Rodgers moved Kyogo out wide after Daisen Maeda joined James Forrest and Nicholas Kuhn on the injured list, and Luis Palma took an emotional leave.

Visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel looked as if he had prepared for temperatures reaching -5 degrees Celsius but faced two shots in the first two minutes as Celtic lost the ball twice on the frozen pitch. Neither of them was on target.

Adam Idah curled a shot into the side netting as Celtic settled and the Irishman then set up Johnston to force the first save with a quick flick towards goal.

Matthew McDiarmid turned down Celtic’s penalty claim when Rio Hattat got in front of Elijah Campbell and lost his balance after the pair collided.

Kyogo missed a good opportunity when he shot the ball directly past Jordan Amisah from close range, but he opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he converted a perfect cross from Johnston into the net after a smooth move.

Amisah made two saves from Idah and Furuhashi after a cross from left-back Alex Vale before coach Don Cowie made a double substitution in the first half, bringing on both Kieran Phillips and White.

Hyun-Jun Yang was forced into a save early in the first half but County’s substitution paid off when White scored after Johnstone pushed Phillips past the goal.

Rodgers brought on 21-year-old striker Jonny Kenny for the first time following the Irishman’s prolific loan spell with Shamrock Rovers but he shot straight at Amissah from 10 yards with his first opportunity.

Celtic went back in front when Engels crossed from the left and Furuhashi headed into the top corner although Amisah headed the ball home.

Engels then scored from a penalty kick that was retaken after James Brown was eventually penalized for a challenge on Young following a VAR review. Amissah saved the first attempt but was ruled off the goal line after another intervention from the Video Assistant Referee.

McEwan quickly slotted home eight minutes into stoppage time after some good skill.

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