Celtic returned to Scottish Premiership action from their Champions League midweek draw against Club Brugge with an emphatic win over Ross County yesterday afternoon.
Any fears of a European hangover were quickly brushed aside after Brendan Rodgers named a much-changed Celtic side to face Don Cowie’s Ross County.
It took Celtic just ten minutes to open the scoring against The Staggies in a 45-minute first-half blitz that saw the SPFL mid-table team get absolutely blown away at Celtic Park.
And when Luke McCowan, added a second in the 27th minute, the next 13 minutes of the game will be a period of football Ross County will be desperate to forget as rampant Celtic put the game beyond them and more as the Hoops raced to a 5-0 lead.
Reacting to the result, County manager Don Cowie admits that Celtic suffocated his team as Brendan Rodgers’ side now goes 13 games unbeaten in the league and five points clear of Aberdeen in second-place.
Don Cowie admits ‘Champions League’ Celtic ‘didn’t let us breathe’ in Ross County’s Parkhead mauling
Cowie told the Press & Journal, “We were playing against a Champions League team and it’s (about) having that realism that if they play really well, that it’s a really tough afternoon.
“They had a 15-minute spell where they didn’t let us breathe and they were relentless and that’s what they do, that’s why they’re playing at the level that they do.
“Yes, we can stand up to it better and do better in those moments, but at the same time, we’re playing against a top-quality team.
The biggest frustration is conceding the first goal from a set piece because, like I say, you’re playing against a top-quality team who can cut you open and hurt you.
“It’s imperative when they do get set plays that you stand up to that.”
Don Cowie’s half-time message to Ross County after first-half Celtic Park beating
“In saying that, the quality of balls that were coming in from their set plays were as good as I’ve seen in a long time,” continued Cowie, “So that’s a challenge in itself, but it’s still something we need to do better.
“Liam Scales attacks the ball really well and it’s a good header, but I would far rather if I’m going to concede against Celtic, it’s in a different manner.”
“You get to a stage where you’re playing for pride. It’s 5-0, and Celtic showed how relentless they are and it’s about making sure when you come out at half-time that that doesn’t go beyond that.
“Jack Hamilton (sub keeper) came on in a really difficult situation right on half-time, and made three or four excellent saves.
Celtic have now opened up a sizeable gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership table over Aberdeen and Rangers this weekend.
Jimmy Thelin’s side face up to Hearts at Tynecastle in their 3pm kick-off whereas Rangers travel to Perth to play St Johnstone in the lunchtime kick-off at McDiarmid Park.
Both teams know that any dropped points this afternoon will mean that Celtic will be virtually uncatchable as the Hoops continue their relentless defence of their Scottish Premiership crown.
