Happy Rodgers praises his Hoops grinders

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers felt his side had to grind out the three points for the victory against Ross County.

Leigh Griffiths’ stunning free kick 12 minutes from time settled the match, ensuring the already recrordbreaking Parkhead club extended their unbeaten domestic run to 64 matches.

Rodgers felt his side had to deal with a number of difficult factors in securing the win and he said: “It was a brilliant goal. Their goalkeeper, whatever he had to do today, dealt with things very well. But the free kick must have been near 30 yards out and for Griffiths to get it up and over with that speed and into the corner was amazing.

“It was going to take something like that. We are never going to be at our fluent best all the time. But mentally we’re very strong; if we can’t play perfect football, which was always going to be tough on that kind of pitch then we’ve still got to keep digging in.

“We also have to ensure we’re defensively strong and don’t give anything away. Then when the moment comes we can take it and see the game through, so to come here after the international break and get that kind of result was very pleasing.”

Rodgers reserved special praise for Nir Bitton, the Israeli midfielder who he has shoehorned into a central defensive position this season.

Rodgers added: “This guy gets slated for not being a centre half but I haven’t seen one better outside of Celtic.

“He’s heading it, he’s defending it aggressive and then he goes and he can play. I thought he was outstansding.

“A clean sheet is important for us.

“I’ve had comfort with Nir, I think everyone else hasn’t. That’s why he continues to play. He’s only going to get better in that position.”