Ross County 0-4 Celtic

The score on the night fails to tell the tale of a tough nights work for Celtic.

Brendan decided to ring the changes during what has been and continues to be a demanding fixture list. He chose to keep the prowess of Dembele and Sinclair on the bench whilst offering an opportunity to a number of squad players to stake their claim. Most notably he included Leigh Griffiths, last years main man reduced to cameos from the bench by the bhoy wonder Dembele. Much like Griffiths, Stuart Armstrong earned his place in the side after a strong showing off the bench at Hampden and was looking to impress once more alongside young prospects Ryan Christie and Liam Henderson in midfield.

The mercurial Patrick Roberts on the wing brings his own brand of trickery to the side and it was the Englishman who opened the scoring, picking up the ball on the right hand side after good work by Armstrong to win the ball, cutting inside his man and curling a composed finish into the keepers far left hand corner.

The perfect start and you could see the confidence it gave the team as they began to pass and move the ball in the attractive style that has won Rodgers many plaudits this season. Henderson impressed with his technical skills on the wing (if he had pace he wouldn't be at Celtic- see Tam Rogic) the highlight of which was a flicked ball lofted over the top with the outside of the boot for Griffiths to slam a shot that Fox did well to react to and acrobatically claw past the far post.

Ross County were not spectators in this game and posed problems of their own. The ball was coughed up in midfield by Celtic and a crisp passing move allowed Liam Boyce through on goal but Craig Gordon saved low to his left with his feet, a smart save. In another instance the ball was centered from the right all the way over to Gardyne on the left hand side. Gamboa sold his jersey and Gardyne was unfortunate to see his effort curl away past Gordons left hand post.

A number of Celtics problems came from the height in the County team, set pieces in particular you were watching from behind the sofa. The save of the night came from one such instance and flick on from a long throw caused panic in the Celtic ranks, the first to react was a County player who drilled a shot in on Gordons goal. Gordon did incredibly well to react to the ball moving at such pace and put the block in although the ball bounced free and looked like it might be going in, but Gordon reacted quickly to claim the ball before it went over the line.

Another set piece delivering, another header won in the box and it cannoned off Gordons left hand post. County were creating good chances. Next to come was a pivotal moment in the game, a long pass from the back wasn't dealt with by the Celtic defence but to my surprise out came Gordon from nowhere to make the first challenge on Liam Boyce close to half way inside the Celtic half in the wide channel. He was never getting there but had his knee raised making contact with the top of Boyces back and his neck. It was never a question of last man or a goal scoring opportunity but it was reckless and I don't think there could have been too many complaints if he had been shown red.

Speaking of red cards, Griffiths was clearly frustrated at not taking his opportunity of a rare start and could easily have seen a second yellow for squaring up to a County defender after a tangle near the corner flag.

Brendan had seen enough and turned to a star studded bench (by SPL standards). Christie was swapped out for Dembele, Sinclair brought on for Henderson as Rogers went for the jugular to kill the game. Griffiths was brought off as well for Nir Biton to try and shore up the midfield. Leigh looked gutted but that is the attitude you want from your striker, who was last season watching the likes of Kazim-Richards and Carlton Cole "compete for a starting jersey with him.

County for their part also went all in to salvage a result eventually going to 3 at the back. Whilst Rodgers unloaded talent from the bench it was Armstrong who seized the day with a superbly composed shot from the edge of the area curling away from a stranded goalkeeper to nestle in the bottom corner.

After that the game was sealed and with Dembele, Roberts and Sinclair up against 3 defenders they all combined to add that extra gloss to the scoreline that such quality brings. Both Sinclair and Dembele found time to miss 2 one on ones but atoned with a measured volley into the top corner from the former and a real poachers effort after good work from Roberts for the latter in stoppage time.

The scoreline flattered Celtic but that extra bit of quality in this years squad won it in the end. Last season this would be a vintage 1-1 or 2-1 loss. Ronny didn't have the sort of options off the bench and probably wouldn't have changed it up