Ross County 1-3 Celtic: Late Hoops blitz seals the points in the Highlands

Postecoglou on the touchline
Postecoglou on the touchline / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
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Celtic left it late to secure consecutive victories to open their Scottish Premiership campaign as Moritz Jenz and Liel Abada struck inside the final six minutes in a 3-1 away win over Ross County.

The on-loan Jenz met Jota's delivery from a quick corner routine to put the Hoops ahead in the 84th minute, before substitute Abada put the game beyond doubt in injury time.

The champions controlled the vast majority of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but they struggled to find a route through County's resolute defence.

Matt O'Riley had several opportunities to put the Hoops ahead, steering his back post header wide of the target when he ought to have done better.

County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw was forced into a fine stop on the stroke of the interval, getting down expertly to Daizen Maeda's improvised flick from Greg Taylor's cross.

Ange Postecoglou's half-time team talk immediately paid dividends as Kyogo sent a low strike across Laidlaw and into the Ross County net following excellent set-up play from Jota.

However, the Hoops were stunned just shy of the hour mark when Alex Iacovitti, who netted against Celtic in County's famous League Cup victory in 2020, rose highest and sent a downwards header beyond Joe Hart to level proceedings.

Celtic huffed and puffed in search of a winner, and their persistance was rewarded through Jenz and Abada.


Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Baldwin, Iacovitti, Purrington, Callachan, Cancola, Tillson, Samuel, Paton, Hiwula-Mayifuila

Subs used: Edwards-Owura, Loturi, Harmon, Johnson, White


Celtic: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Turnbull, Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Subs used: Abada, Giakoumakis, Mooy