Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice as Celtic had to work for a 4-1 win at Ross County to move 18 points clear in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hoops dominated from the start as they looked to extend their 2025 winning streak to three games after upsetting the Old Firm, Kyogo firing home from Alistair Johnston’s brilliant pass to send them through.
However, Jordan White gave the county a result at the stoppage after a lengthy VAR review following Johnston’s foul on new signing Kieran Phillips.
After Kyogo’s powerful header put Celtic back in front, they were awarded a spot-kick in stoppage time for James Brown’s challenge on Reo Hatate and Arne Engels converted the second try.
Luke McCowan hit the back of the net for a fourth time after taking three touches in the box to send the Hoops beyond the reach of Rangers, who play on Sunday. Ross County remains 10th.
Kyog’s key to Celtic’s versatility
Brendan Rodgers replaced Kyoga after Daizen Maeda joined James Forrest and Nicolas Kuhn on the injured list and Luis Palma was given compassionate leave.
Visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel looked braced for the -5C temperatures but faced two strikes in the first two minutes as Celtic conceded the ball twice on a frozen pitch. Neither of them were on target.
Adam Idah slotted the ball into the side netting as Celtic settled down and the Irishman set up Johnston to force the first save with a shot towards goal.
Matthew MacDermid denied a Celtic penalty claim when Reo Hatate found himself in front of Elijah Campbell and was knocked off balance after the two collided.
Kyogo missed a good chance when he poked the ball straight at Jordan Amissah from close range, but opened the scoring in the 40th minute when he tapped Johnston’s inch-perfect cross after a clever move.
Amissah stopped Idaho and Furuhashi twice after a cross from left-back Alex Valle before home boss Don Cowie made a double change at half-time, bringing Kieran Phillips and White on target.
Hyun-jun Yang forced a save early in the half, but County’s substitution paid off when White tapped in after Johnston had pushed Phillips into the post.
Rodgers brought on 21-year-old striker Johnny Kenny for his debut following the Irishman’s prolific loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, but he shot straight at Amissah from 10 yards on his first opportunity.
Celtic went back in front when Engels crossed from the left and Furuhashi headed into the top corner despite Amissah’s hands.
Engels then scored from the penalty spot after James Brown was eventually booked for a tackle on Yang following a VAR review. Amissah saved the first attempt but was adjudged to have moved off his line after another VAR intervention.
McCowan soon scored eight minutes into stoppage time after a fine piece of skill.
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