Celtic 2-1 Ross County: David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic strike as Celtic come from behind to beat Ross County

Match report as Celtic come from behind to beat Ross County to go nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table; David Cancola gave Ross County the lead from the penalty spot before goals from David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic sealed victory for Celtic

Saturday 12 November 2022 21:04, UK

Premiership leaders Celtic came from behind to beat Ross County 2-1 and move nine points clear of Rangers after conceding their fourth penalty for handball in as many games.

David Cancola put County ahead early in the second half at Celtic Park after Matt O'Riley was penalised by referee David Munro.

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Home manager Ange Postecoglou stood with his hands covering his mouth in shock after Johnson kicked the ball off O'Riley from close range on the side of the box. The midfielder was moving his arm closer to his body but the decision was backed by video assistant referee Euan Anderson.

Celtic were soon denied a penalty claim and the controversy sparked them into life. Goals in quick succession from David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic made it nine consecutive domestic wins since the most recent international break.

The victory ensured Celtic exploited the opportunity presented by Rangers' earlier draw with St Mirren and go into the World Cup break, and their trip to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup, with a commanding lead over their rivals.

Postecoglou made six changes following the narrow midweek win at Motherwell and Celtic lacked a spark to their first-half play, although Kyogo Furuhashi had several chances.

The Japanese striker glanced a header onto the roof of the net with a decent effort, but then dragged a shot wide after being played clean through by Reo Hatate. The centre-forward took a heavy touch after being set up by Haksabanovic and later lobbed an ambitious effort over.

O'Riley shot just wide from 25 yards but County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw survived the half without being seriously tested, although he spilled a long-range effort from Cameron Carter-Vickers, who got a new central defensive partner in Carl Starfelt when Mortiz Jenz went off with a head knock.

The game exploded into life five minutes into the second half as Cancola made it three games from three that County have scored against Celtic this season.

How Celtic mounted a comeback

Celtic immediately found an urgency to their play and Laidlaw produced an excellent diving stop from Turnbull's curling effort.

The home fans' sense of grievance multiplied when Munro waved away appeals for a penalty after Anthony Ralston went down amid close attention from behind from opposite right-back Johnson, a decision confirmed by a VAR check.

Furuhashi volleyed over before Celtic levelled in the 62nd minute. Hatate danced around the outside of the narrow County defence and cut back for Turnbull, who took a touch and stuck the ball through Laidlaw's legs.

The champions were ahead six minutes later. Haksabanovic exchanged short passes with Turnbull and then Hatate before passing the ball just inside the far post from 15 yards.

Jota, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis were waiting to come on as the goal went in but the new forward trio could not add to the lead, the Greek striker coming closest with a close-range effort that was deflected wide.

What the managers said...

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou:

"Look, I've already said that me talking about it (VAR) the last two weeks has done a disservice to my football club.

"It's best I don't really talk about it any more. The only way they were going to score was a penalty and they got it. So, from our perspective, we just have to make sure we score more goals than the opposition.

"I'm just really proud of the players. They are an outstanding group of players. The quality is there but the strength of character is outstanding.

"We have had 13 games in 42 days, Champions League takes a lot out of you with the travel. To be perfect in the league through that time is just a brilliant effort.

"That was indicative of the way we played, really focused, really strong, not deterred by anything."

Ross County boss Malky Mackay:

"I've got nothing but real pride in the players, with the belief they showed to come to Parkhead and limit Celtic to the chances we did.

"We had tactical discipline to play in a way that negated a lot of the real strengths Celtic have, and to threaten and press ourselves.

"That should give us a real bit of belief for the second half of the season.

"I knew after we scored Celtic would come at us. I was delighted that for the next five or 10 minutes we kept them pretty quiet, despite them coming at us strongly. The crowd got up, and at that point it was about trying to see the game out.

"We never quite managed it, but I'm really proud of the team."

What's next?

The Scottish Premiership takes a break for the World Cup with Celtic returning to action away to Aberdeen on 17 December, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12.30pm.

Ross County's first game back is at home to St Johnstone on the same day. That match kicks off at 3pm.