Celtic “made it more difficult” for themselves with another penalty miss as they restored their five-point lead in the Scottish Premiership thanks to a narrow win over Ross County.
Alistair Johnston scored what proved to be the winner in the first minute with a shot from the edge of the box that took a wicked deflection and spun into the corner of the net.
Celtic could and should have scored more on an afternoon where Luis Palma had a spot-kick and retake saved – Celtic’s fourth penalty miss from 10 this season – but Brendan Rodgers’ side were far from their best.
The win maintains Celtic’s five-point lead over Rangers, who have a game in hand, while County stay 11th.
“These can be tough games and we maybe made it a bit more difficult when we miss the penalties,” manager Rodgers said.
“We made a great start with the early goal, which was really good, we force errors from them to get the penalties and I think the penalties maybe took a bit out the crowd and the team as well.”
Rodgers’ opposite number Derek Adams would have hoped for a response after such a poor showing last time out in the cup defeat by Partick Thistle, but it took only 56 seconds for Celtic to hit the front.
Johnston let fly after Liel Abada’s shot was blocked, and his shot crept over the line to leave County goalkeeper George Wickens helpless and give the hosts a dream start.
It could have got even better just minutes later when Matt O’Riley’s shot was parried into Paulo Bernardo’s path, but the Portuguese midfielder somehow put his effort over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Celtic continued to press and were given a golden chance to double their lead when Simon Murray tripped Callum McGregor in the box.
However, the league leaders’ penalty woes this season continued, as Palma’s weak spot-kick was easily saved by Wickens.
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