Five-star Celts light up Paradise

Scottish Premiership
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Celtic Park

CELTIC... 5
(Scales 10, McCowan 27, Bernardo 35, McGregor 36, Idah 40)

ROSS COUNTY... 0

It was an afternoon to remember at Celtic Park as the champions proved why they are the finest team of Scotland with a brilliant 5-0 victory over Ross County.

Brendan Rodgers made six changes to his starting XI for today’s Scottish Premiership clash, and the first-half performance highlighted the depth of quality in the Hoops’ squad, as the Bhoys controlled all of the possession and linked up wonderfully well all over the pitch.

Just before the 10-minute mark, the Celts were rewarded for their early dominance as Luke McCowan, claiming his first of three assists in the match, whipped a dangerous corner-kick into the box which was headed in off the bar by Liam Scales to give the champions the lead.

With 25 minutes played, Ross County, who had been chasing shadows up until that point, had a half-chance to equalise as they picked up on a loose ball outside the Celtic penalty area, but Charlie Telfer blazed his shot high over the bar.

A moment later, Celtic’s lead was doubled in superb style, as Liam Scales and Luke McCowan switched roles, with Scales returning the favour and clipping a perfect through ball in to the penalty area to set up McCowan.

The midfielder’s touch to bring the ball under control was classy, and his finish from inside the area was emphatic as he drove it across the keeper and in to the net to make it 2-0.

With just shy of 35 minutes played, the points were secured as Paulo Bernardo made it 3-0 to the Hoops. Once again, Luke McCowan was involved, slipping the ball through to Daizen Maeda with a cute flick.

The Japanese forward then set up Paulo Bernardo who fired home from close-range to put the Celts out of sight.

The celebrations for the third goal had barely subsided when Callum McGregor, who has made a habit of scoring from distance so far this season, smashed the ball beyond Ross Laidlaw to make it 4-0.

Luke McCowan, who had set up Callum McGregor’s goal, was on hand again a few minutes later as he slipped the ball to Adam Idah on the edge of the area.

The Irishman capped off an incredible first-half performance from the Celts with a sensational strike from outside the box, which Laidlaw could do nothing about as the ball thundered in to the net, making it 5-0 to the champions.

Brendan Rodgers made one change at half-time, bringing Yang in to the action in place of Daizen Maeda.

However, there was no change to the Celts’ attacking intent at the start of the half and with 55 minutes played, Adam Idah almost made it six as his header from a Luke McCowan corner crashed off the crossbar.

Alex Valle then went close to extending the Celtic lead as he burst in to the box with the ball, but the Ross County keeper made a good stop to keep the left back’s effort out.

For the most part, the second half was a quieter affair than the first 45 minutes. However, Brendan Rodgers’ men continued to dominate the match and carve out opportunities against a Ross County side who were desperately trying to keep the scoreline down.

In the final few minutes of the match, Greg Taylor, who had been brought on for Alex Valle, hit the post with a shot from inside the box.

Adam Idah then drew a brilliant save from the County keeper after his volley looked like it would flash into the back of the net.

Unsurprisingly, Luke McCowan was named as Man of the Match after his brilliant goal and three assists in the first half which helped the Hoops to victory.

The Celts will now spend the next few days preparing for the trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday night where they will face Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.