Ross County 0-4 Celtic: Hoops go seven points clear

Celtic have moved seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 4-0 win over Ross County but they were pushed hard before taking control at the Global Energy Stadium.

Patrick Roberts scored the opener after just three minutes but the visitors had to wait until the closing stages before adding to their tally.

Stuart Armstrong slotted home on 83 minutes before Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele scored in injury time to make the scoreline more comfortable for the Hoops.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made eight changes from side that beat Rangers in the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup at the weekend but his side appeared to have made a seamless transition as Roberts gave them the lead.

The on-loan Manchester City player cut in from right, beat a couple of defenders and advanced into the area before firing home left-footed past Stags goalkeeper Scott Fox.

But rather than succumb to the threat posed by the Scottish champions they rose to it, with Hoops 'keeper Craig Gordon forced to save well from Liam Boyce.

The visitors continued to threaten in attack, however, and almost doubled their lead through Leigh Griffiths.

Liam Henderson slipped the ball into him on the edge of the box but Griffiths' powerful shot was turned behind superbly by Fox.

Both sides continued to trade blows after the break, with County going agonisingly close to drawing level.

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Chris Burke's powerful effort was blocked by Gordon before looping up and towards goal, only for Gordon to recover in time to retrieve it.

Erik Sviatchenko then spurned a golden opportunity for the Hoops when he headed wide from eight yards after being left unmarked at a corner.

County defender Andrew Davies did better with his header from a corner, with Gordon beaten, but the ball came back off the inside of the post before being cleared.

But Celtic went on a scoring frenzy in the final 10 minutes, with Armstrong popping up in the area seven minutes from time to finish neatly past Fox.

Two goals then followed in stoppage-time, Sinclair volleying home after Roberts' shot had been blocked.

Dembele then added a fourth when he tapped in from close range but the final scoreline was harsh on the hosts, who were the better side for periods of the game.