Celtic 1-0 Ross County: Scottish Premiership leaders labour to home win as Luis Palma has two penalties saved

Match report as Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic labour to narrow home win over second-bottom Ross County; Alistair Johnston's 56-second opener proved to be winner; Luis Palma missed two first-half penalties as George Wickens saved both; Celtic restore five-point lead over Rangers

Saturday 27 January 2024 22:37, UK

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Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic laboured to a 1-0 home win over second-bottom Ross County to restore their five-point lead over Rangers as Luis Palma saw two penalties saved.

Alistair Johnston's 56-second opener proved to be the difference for Celtic, who struggled to create many chances against the Staggies.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers blamed the pitch for their underwhelming display as he claimed the Celtic Park surface was more like a field than a pitch.

He said: «It's very difficult to play on the pitch and the challenge for us. People were miscuing the ball.

»You look at (Liam) Scales' pass, it comes off the toe and popped off, (Matt) O'Riley's popped up and the fans get anxious but that's the pitch. Then Cal (McGregor) gets ready to take a shot and it pops up and nearly goes up towards the top tier.

«I know speaking to the staff it has been the situation over the last few years.

»It's something as a club we need to address, as a flagship club in Scotland and especially with how we want to play.

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«It's not overloaded with games — it's more a field than a pitch. That's the reality but however it sits, we have to get the job done and thankfully we did that.»

Johnston's deflected first-minute strike looked likely to open the