PREVIEW | Ross County v Celtic

With the cinch Premiership campaign now underway, County are finally home in the league for the first time.

Form

Following a successful summer which saw the Staggies top their group in the Premier Sports Cup, it was a trip to Tynecastle to open the league season against Hearts. After a superb first half performance, Malky Mackay’s side were disappointed not to go into the break with the lead – particularly with Dominic Samuel and Owura Edwards hitting the woodwork. In the second half it was Hearts quickest out the block as Alan Forrest struck first just before the hour mark, followed by a sensational Barrie McKay effort. Moments later Jordan White halved the deficit just three minutes after coming on but the score ended with the Jambos taking three points.

Celtic began their title defence on Sunday as they played host to Aberdeen at Celtic Park. Following the pre-match ceremony to celebrate last year’s success it took the Hoops no time at all to get going, with Stephen Welsh heading home on just three minutes. They doubled the lead in the second half with a stunning solo effort from Jota.

Key Players

County attacker Owura made quite the impression at Tynecastle last weekend giving the Hearts back line a real headache in the first period. The Ghanaian-born attacker showed signs of real quality throughout before being replaced in the second half. The highlight surely his excellent work to knock the ball past a defender before smashing the bar from distance. Inches from the perfect league debut.

Celtic have a plethora of star names from their title victory last term, but no signing met more attention than that of Jota in the summer. The Portuguese winger signed on a permanent deal in July having spent the season on loan in the Green half of Glasgow last year. 10 league goals last term and a stunner last weekend alludes to this already being a great piece of business for the Bhoys.

Head-to-Head

Last season the two sides met four times with the latest meeting coming back in April. It was Celtic who took three points with goals from Kyogo and Jota in Dingwall. Celtic took four wins from four last term, with a theatrical end in December in the Highlands when – with the score at 1-1 in stoppage time – Anthony Ralston scored a 97^th minute winner for the visitors, cancelling our Jack Baldwin’s second half leveller.

County’s last victory over Celtic came in February 2021 when Jordan White’s strike was the difference at the Global Energy Stadium. It followed on from a superb Premier Sports Cup win at Celtic Park four months prior with goals from Ross Stuart and Alex Iacovitti.

Keep Up

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