Celtic 5 Ross County 0: Five-star first-half as McCowan and fringe men impress

A much-changed Celtic tore a ragged Ross County aspect aside to maneuver 5 factors away from Aberdeen on the high of the Premiership desk, as their fringe males grasped their alternative to impress.

A primary half blitz noticed the champions 5 objectives to the nice by the interval, with Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah all on the scoresheet to place Celtic Park into celebration mode.

Their heroes quite had the cigars out within the second half, however the job was lengthy completed.

Listed here are the speaking factors from a Saturday afternoon stroll for Celtic…

Celtic flex their muscle with illustration of squad power

Beforehand, this appeared to have the potential to be a sticky afternoon for Celtic, with Brendan Rodgers making six adjustments to the line-up on the again of their Champions League exertions towards Membership Brugge on Wednesday evening, and a visiting aspect that might be coming with a gameplan to frustrate the hosts.

These fears would show to be spectacularly unfounded.

An early aim was clearly the intention to blow away the cobwebs, and Celtic didn’t half come flying out of the traps. Any fears that the disruption to the beginning XI would upset their rhythm have been rapidly dispelled, with the perimeter males who have been handed an opportunity clearly in a temper to take advantage of it.

There was an actual verve and power about them, they usually obtained the early aim they craved to grab away any hope from a visiting aspect who appeared completely shellshocked by what they have been going through.

And sure, the feeble resistance put up by the opposition and the usual of the County defending must be factored in, however this was basically a Celtic reserve aspect, they usually completely wiped the ground with the beleaguered Staggies to the extent that it hardly appeared sporting.

It’s stating the apparent to say that the hole between Celtic and the relaxation is a yawning one, however on this proof, it’s solely getting larger.

Bernardo strengthens declare to oust Arne Engels, and McCowan shines too

Okay, it’s a must to place this within the context of who Bernardo was up towards, as a result of Membership Brugge, County definitely ain’t. However all of the Portuguese midfielder can do is shine when he’s known as upon, and he definitely did that when extra right here.

Past his well-taken aim, he appeared sharp in his urgent and his passing and there was high quality oozing from nearly his each contribution.

Engels however has struggled to indicate the undoubted high quality he too possesses over latest weeks, and whereas he might really feel that he might have completed simply that up towards such restricted opposition, Rodgers concurred with the bulk view that the Belgian was in want of a relaxation.

The dilemma for the Celtic supervisor could also be whether or not he goes again to his £11m signing although after this for the go to to Pittodrie on Wednesday evening, whereas the excellent McCowan – with a aim and three assists – would additionally doubtless really feel arduous completed by have been he to be relegated to the bench as soon as extra after one other spectacular show.

Reo Hatate coming again in for the previous Dundee captain is likely to be a extra simple name although than the one between Bernardo and Engels.

Might Alex Valle oust Greg Taylor?

In an identical vein, one other place on this Celtic aspect that could be a level of debate is at left again, the place on-loan Barcelona teen Alex Valle once more impressed along with his power and optimistic strategy.

The 20-year-old changed a jaded-looking Taylor within the draw with Brugge in midweek, making an instantaneous impression as his ahead move teed up Daizen Maeda to equalise, and he drew heat applause from the gang for his efforts each in an attacking sense, and for his need to defend his aspect’s clear sheet even deep into the second half.

Taylor has been a improbable servant for Celtic, and has surpassed all expectations since his transfer from Kilmarnock. It will be a courageous man who would guess towards him seeing off this newest problem to his place from Valle, however this might be the stiffest one he has confronted.

County a shambles towards large two as soon as extra

Having shipped six objectives to Rangers throughout their Hampden residency earlier within the season, the dimensions of the defeat right here shouldn’t maybe have been too stunning. However my phrase, what a shellacking Don Cowie’s males took right here within the first half.

The Staggies supervisor will little doubt stress that the destiny of his staff this season received’t relaxation on video games like these, and he could be proper, besides, they did not muster even a token resistance to Celtic.

To rub salt into their wounds, they misplaced keeper Ross Laidlaw to a knee damage simply earlier than half time, although, as 5 objectives had already flown previous him by that stage, he may have wished to be faraway from the firing line. Poor Jack Hamilton (who truly did effectively, in equity) should have been delighted to be approaching in his stead.

The one comfort that Cowie and County can actually take is that they didn’t appear to be overly affected by their drubbing by the hands of Rangers, and he’ll hope that they pull themselves collectively for his or her bread-and-butter matches.

Idah again to his finest?

The massive striker gave a candid evaluation of his performances up to now this season within the lead as much as this match, admitting he might have gotten just a little carried away with himself after his profitable mortgage final time period.

He’s unlikely to be getting too carried away about his single aim in a 5-0 win – as spectacular a strike because it was – however there was a lot to love about his normal play too.

He might need added one or two extra objectives, with a second half header coming again off the bar, however he’s beginning to look sharper.