Live on Sky: Ross County vs Celtic
Watch Ross County vs Celtic live from 11am on Sky Sports Football; kick-off 12pm. Match highlights available shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports website and app
Sunday 1 December 2019 11:28, UK
Neil Lennon wants Celtic to park their burgeoning Europa League aspirations and quickly focus on the home front at Ross County on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The Hoops boss was delighted that the emphatic 3-1 win over French side Rennes on Thursday night confirmed the Scottish champions as group winners for the first time with one fixture remaining.
Breaking the 10-point barrier for the first time by moving on to 13 ahead of the final Group E match against Cluj in Romania next month was also pleasing for the Northern Irishman.
However, there is no respite for Lennon's side as they face the long trip to Dingwall, where they will resume their quest to win nine titles in a row in the Ladbrokes Premiership, in which they lead Old Firm rivals Rangers on goal difference.
"We are in good form," said the Parkhead boss, who will assess striker Odsonne Edouard after he missed the Rennes game with a niggle.
Live SPFL
"It is difficult. It is away from home, a quick turnaround and obviously a long travel on Saturday, so we will get the players recovered as quickly as we can.
"We'll get them in on Saturday, get some second day recovery and then we'll travel.
"It's a difficult game. We know our priority is the league so we can finish with the European in terms of competitiveness and maybe we can fully concentrate on domestic duties.
"Ross County had a really good start to the season. They have just come off a little bit but they are at home.
"Teams raise their game when we are in town so we know how fraught the game could be. But we're in a good place, not taking anything for granted, and we have to stay really focused now because the games are coming thick and fast."
Team news
Ross County have reported no new injury problems. Tom Grivosti (foot), Iain Vigurs (foot) and Don Cowie (knee) are working their way back to fitness. Back-up goalkeeper Jack Ruddy has been struggling with illness.
Odsonne Edouard will be assessed for Celtic ahead of the trip to Dingwall. The Frenchman missed the Europa League win over Rennes on Thursday night with a niggle.
Jeremie Frimpong, who was not registered for European competition by boss Neil Lennon, will return and Mohamed Elyounoussi is working his way back from a foot injury but Jonny Hayes (shoulder), Boli Bolingoli (hamstring) Hatem Abd Elhamed (abductor), Vakoun Issouf Bayo (knee) and Jozo Simunovic (knee) are still out alongside Daniel Arzani (knee).
Opta stats
- Ross County have only tasted victory once in 21 Scottish Premiership meetings with Celtic (D6 L14) and are winless in 18 such contests (D5 L13) since a 3-2 win in March 2013 under Derek Adams.
- Celtic have won six of their last seven league trips to Ross County, drawing the other 2-2 in April 2017.
- Newly promoted clubs have won just one of their last 24 league meetings with the reigning Scottish Premiership champions (D8 L15 - all 24 being against Celtic); current Celtic boss Neil Lennon was in charge of the promoted club in that sole triumph, leading Hibs to a 2-1 win over Brendan Rodgers' Celtic outfit in April 2018.
- Celtic have won each of their last five league games without conceding a single goal, their best such run since Neil Lennon's return to the club, with the Hoops last doing so in February last season with Brendan Rodgers in charge.
- James Forrest has bagged five goals in his last five league games for Celtic, as many as he had across his previous 28 such appearances beforehand.
Watch Ross County vs Celtic live from 11am on Sky Sports Football; kick-off 12pm. Match highlights available shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports website and app
