Quality shines through

ROSS County didn’t make it easy for Celtic. Malky Mackay’s men were well-drilled and resolute at Celtic Park.

In the end it was a couple of moments of true quality which would turn the match and see the hosts claim victory.

The Dingwall side were more than happy to sit back and hit on the counter and were rewarded for their efforts when David Cancola slotted home from the spot.

But they were undone by a moment of magic from Reo Hatate to beat a handful of defenders in the box and cut back for David Turnbull to slot home, then Hatate again was involved to tee up Sead Haksabanovic’s terrific curling winner.

Commanding lead at the top

VICTORY sends Celtic into the World Cup break in a truly dominant position. A seven-point gap extended to nine with Rangers labouring to a draw in Paisley against St Mirren.

While it wasn’t quite to buoyant, flashy performance somewhat expected at Celtic Park, this win was just as important to secure a commanding lead in the Scottish Premiership.

Domestic matters will take a back seat for the World Cup, but Ange Postecoglou and his players will be in a dream position to capitalise when the league returns next month.

For Celtic, the league standings will put them in a hugely confident state of mind, for their title rivals it could sap the optimism out of this season.

Another handball spot-kick call

FOR a period, it looked like another handball penalty decision would play a major role in the Scottish Premiership.

There has been a major upturn in handball decisions with the introduction of VAR in the top-flight, but referee David Munro didn’t require a second look to point to the spot at Parkhead.

By the letter of the law it is a stone-waller, but there is more than a chunk of sympathy for Matt O’Riley who could do nothing to pull his arm out the way as the ball ricocheted up from Callum Johnson's tackle.

Thankfully, for O’Riley, it would not cost Celtic any points in Glasgow, but the controversial and heated debate over the handball law will no doubt rumble on after another glaring example this weekend.