Ross County 0-5 Celtic: Shane Duffy scores on debut

Shane Duffy headed in on his debut when Celtic thrashed Ross County to keep in touch at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Second-half goals from Duffy, fellow central Kristoffer Ajer and substitute Patryk Klimala rounded out Celtic’s biggest win of the season.

They remain six points behind the Rangers leaders with two games in hand.

County, with around 300 local fans watching in a test event for the return of the fans, hit the post on either side of halftime but had no response to Celtic’s attacking power.

Celtic’s move to a back three allowed them to build on their strengths and pair Edouard and Ajeti up front for the first time. The effect was devastating, although it came with a couple of nervous moments on the other end.

County couldn’t take advantage, with Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas impressing. The Greek got the slightest of fingers on a Iain Vigurs free kick, sending it to the post and cleverly saved a Ross Stewart header near the post.

Meanwhile, Duffy was relieved to see the offside flag being raised after being caught off guard by Billy Mckay, who held onto a long ball. But when County forward Oli Shaw hit the wood in the second half, the hosts had been knocked out.

Celtic went 2-0 up in 20 minutes, with both goals a gift. Coll Donaldson hit Edouard, allowing the forward to send Ross Laidlaw down the wrong path from spot, and then Ajeti attacked from six yards after the hosts messed up trying to clear a free throw. Now there are three goals in three league games for the Swiss international.

Vasilis denied Stewart again early in the second half, before Neil Lennon’s side fired up the afterburners. Duffy’s powerful header from a corner by Callum McGregor put the result beyond question on the hour and Ajer soon made it four behind Olivier Ntcham’s low delivery.

Klimala, who failed to convert from close range after a wonderful build-up play from Edouard, made amends by rounding out the champions’ third straight win in the league after a failed pass from Vigurs.

Man of the match – Odsonne Edouard

What did we learn?

Celtic need to stay 3-5-2. Neil Lennon admitted before the game that it is his favorite formation, and only the lack of physical condition of his forwards has prevented him from deploying it so far. Edouard was a good fit with Ajeti, whose predatory instincts came to light again.

And while it may leave them vulnerable on defense, particularly on the flanks where Jeremie Frimping and James Forrest lurked forward, it is worth a trade-off. Duffy made it into the bottom three without problems, gave notice of his goal threat and will only improve when his match fitness is up to the task.

The county, for its part, must eradicate back lapses. They remain in the top six, but have the second-worst defensive record in the league with 11 goals conceded.

Stuart Kettlewell’s team offered plenty of enterprising forward play, only to be undermined by the loss of soft goals.

What did they say?

Stuart Kettlewell, Ross County Manager: “It was a crazy game. We were the dominant team in the first half and created the best opportunities by far in open play. We did it with a free kick and a penalty.

“The big differences came in the 18-yard boxes, we didn’t defend well enough. Other than that, we created so many opportunities and we had to be more ruthless.”

Celtic coach Neil Lennon: “The first half we were a bit offside, which was to be expected with some changes and a different system. As the game progressed, we seemed much more powerful.

“Our goalkeeper also made some great saves, which is something we will have to consider, but I am delighted for him and in the end it was a good team performance in all aspects.”

Whats Next?

Celtic will be looking for another win when they travel to coronavirus-stricken St Mirren on Wednesday, while Ross County will be absent from St Johnstone on Saturday.