Griffiths’ moment of class proves the difference for Celtic
BRENDAN Rodgers hailed Leigh Griffiths’ free-kick winner as ‘amazing’ after Celtic’s close-run win over Ross County.
The Scotland striker returned to the bench after recovering from a calf injury, but was called upon in the second half as the SPFL leaders struggled against Owen Coyle’s men.
And when Griffiths got his opportunity from 30 yards, he curled the ball past keeper Aaron McCarey to give the visitors all three points and extend Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run to 64 games.
Afterwards Rodgers said: ‘It was a brilliant goal and anything their keeper had to do today, he dealt with it really well.
‘But the free-kick must have been nearly 30 yards and to get it up and over with that speed and into the corner was amazing.
‘You are never going to be at your fluent best all the time but mentally we are very strong. Okay we can’t play perfect football, it was tough on that pitch today.
‘But you still have to keep digging in, ensure you are defensively strong and not give anything away and so that when the moment comes you can take it and see the game through.
‘So it is a brilliant victory for us and clean sheet.’
Ross County boss Coyle acknowledged the talent of Griffiths and Celtic but claimed his side were deserving of a point.
He said: ‘It was going to take a bit of magic to beat us and we all have to concede that he is more than capable of doing that. But it was hard to take. I felt we deserved a point from the game.’