Scottish Premiership
Global Energy Arena, Dingwall
Sunday, February 21, 2021

ROSS COUNTY… 1
(White 70)

CELTIC… 0

A Jordan White header with 20 minutes of the match remaining was enough to give Ross County a 1-0 victory and all three points as Celtic’s winning run came to an end in Dingwall.

It was a disappointing game for the Hoops, who had chances in either half, but they were unable to breech Ross Laidlaw’s goal.

After a couple of early chances at either end, Celtic suffered a blow in the seventh minute when Greg Taylor was forced off with an injury, to be replaced by Diego Laxalt. And while Neil Lennon’s side pressed forward down either flank, they were unable to fashion a goalscoring opportunity.

However, in the 24th minute they had a great chance to take the lead. Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie put pressure on the County defence, winning possession inside the area, but the Frenchman was unable to direct his effort on target after being set up by Christie inside the six-yard box.

Two minutes later, and it was Scott Bain who came to Celtic’s rescue when he pushed a Blair Spittal shot behind for a corner. And from the resulting set-piece, Tony Andreu headed just over the bar. Celtic had further efforts from Christie, Edouard and David Turnbull, but they could not get the opening goal.

Into the second half, and Spittal had an early chance for the home side, but his curling effort from the edge of the area was comfortably handled by Bain. Celtic went straight up the park and Tom Rogic fired a ball into the area that Christie headed just wide.

Diego Laxalt then had an effort from just outside the area before Christie shot just over in the 58th minute. Laxalt and Christie combined well again just two minutes later, and this time the Scottish attacker’s near post shot was saved by Laidlaw.

But on 70 minutes, Ross County scored what proved to be the only goal of the game. A free-kick from the left-hand side was headed home by Jordon White and left Celtic battling to get back into the game.

The Hoops had a late claim for a handball penalty before Mohamed Elyounoussi’s goalbound header was brilliantly saved by Laidlaw, ensuring a win for Ross County.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Tremarco, Morris (Watson 41), Gardyne, Iacovitti, Kelly, Lakin, Spittal (Paton 59), Naismith, White, Andreu.
Subs: Hilton, Draper, Shaw, McKay, Hylton, Charles-Cook, Tillson.

Celtic: Bain, Taylor (Laxalt 7), Brown, Turnbull, Kenny, Christie (Elyounoussi 82), Rogic (Griffiths 66), Edouard, Ajer, McGregor, Welsh.
Subs: Hazard, Ajeti, Klimala, Soro, Henderson, Ralston,

Disappointment in Dingwall as Celts lose to Ross County