Ange hails fightback as Celts go nine points clear
CELTIC 2
Turnbull (62), Haksabanovic (68) ROSS COUNTY 1
Cancola (pen. 50)
Ange Postecoglou praised his players’ never-say-attitude as Celtic head into the World Cup break with a nine-point lead at the top.
The Parkhead side had to come from behind to beat Ross County, who moved in front early in the second half through a David Cancola penalty.
But Celtic dug deep and goals from David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic ensured they took full advantage of another Rangers slip-up.
Postecoglou was never going to admit the title was in the bag as he prepares to take his team to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup.
Instead, he hailed his players’ fighting spirit at the end of what has been a challenging period on the domestic and European fronts.
He said: “I am just really proud of the players. They are an outstanding group of players. The quality is there but the strength of character is just outstanding. We’ve had 13 games in something like 42 days.
“Champions League takes a lot out of you with the travel and to be (almost) perfect in the league through that time is just a brilliant effort.
“We were really focused, strong and not deterred by anything. The players know what they need to do and they really believe in themselves.”
The Celtic fans had arrived in good spirits following the news that Rangers had dropped points again in the early kick-off at St Mirren.
The Green Brigade section was notably empty during the minute’s Remembrance silence, those supporters filing into their seats afterwards.
But the tribute was still interrupted by a number of other Celtic fans singing as others around them booed disapprovingly.
There wasn’t a huge amount to cheer in the first half either for the home support. Their team predictably dominated the ball with most of the action unfolding in the County half.
All that possession, however, didn’t lead to much in the way of scoring opportunities as the visitors’ defence held firm.
Celtic had a few half-chances but only one effort on target from Cameron Carter-vickers, who ambled forward from defence before unleashing an effort that was saved by Ross Laidlaw.
Kyogo Furuhashi was the worst sinner, dragging his shot well wide after being picked out by a piercing pass from Matt O’riley
County were happy to soak it up and looked to play on the counter whenever they could get out. They too had just one first-half effort on target, a George Harmon back-post shot that Joe Hart clutched comfortably.
The half-time whistle was met by more boos from the Celtic fans, this time aimed at the match officials for some of their decision-making.
Those jeers got even louder when County were awarded a penalty just four minutes after the restart.
Alexandro Bernabei’s clearance struck Callum Johnson and then rebounded onto O’riley’s arm on the edge of the box. Ref David Munro, to his credit, gave it right away rather than taking the easy way out and VAR backed him up. Cancola was the coolest man in the stadium as he rolled home his kick.
Falling behind, however, seemed to finally rouse Celtic. Turnbull was denied an equaliser only by a brilliant save by Laidlaw before the home side hollered hopefully for a penalty after Tony Ralston fell in the box. It looked a dive and VAR wasn’t interested.
But the pressure was ramping up and it seemed only a matter of time before Celtic claimed an equaliser. And it came around after 62 minutes.
Reo Hatate showed great composure to dribble deep into the County box before picking out Turnbull, who applied a composed finish.
The tide had well and truly turned by then and a second goal arrived just six minutes later.
Postecoglou was waiting to change his entire forward line but, just seconds before he was hooked, Haksabanovic worked a great 1-2 with Hatate before firing a shot beyond Laidlaw for the winner.