Ross County vs Celtic

Celtic are back in Premiership action as they travel to Dingwall for the lunchtime kick-off trying to get the gap over Rangers back to nine points at the ...

A shock win for Malky McKay's men would put them five clear of Dundee United at the bottom but it's going to be a very difficult task against a [Celtic](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc) side that have lost just once in the league all season. [Ross County](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/ross-county-fc) are desperate for wins too as they try to avoid relegation or the playoffs and after Kilmarnock's win over Hearts on Saturday, they are four points behind their rivals. [Ange Postecoglou](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/ange-postecoglou) will know he needs to have team ready for this one but they have been all season so you'd expect Celtic to play in a similar way to what they often do.

The champions are in the Highland and know a win over the Staggies will restore their nine-point advantage at the top of the table.

Ross County 0-1 Celtic. Still Ross County 0-1 Celtic. After Eamonn Brophy robs Carl Starfelt at one end, Celtic retrieve the ball and break down the right, with Alistair Johnston riding an strong challenge from Iacovitti to then find Jota who fires over from a promising position. Celtic win a free kick 25 yards from goal, but Jota's effort isn't troubling Ross Laidlaw. His arm is definitely outstretched as he challenges for the header and you can see why it was given. When comparing it to a similar incident involving Andrew Considine before the international break, Boyd said: Thankfully the youngster is back to his feet quickly and play continues. It seems a bit of an overreaction by the officials as it the manager was calm in his approach. The Korean striker then rolls young Dylan Smith before racing towards the box and firing just wide. Celtic's subs have certainly added a freshness and a big threat to since coming on, but they've been unable to add the second goal to kill this game off. The players are celebrating in front of their jubilant travelling support, but were not without their issues today. The J-League Player of the Year is primed to start with Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy toiling.

Manager Ange Postecoglou has named his Celtic team vs Ross County for today's Scottish Premiership clash.

It could be a chance for the captain to show off his versatility. There’s no Hatate or Aaron Mooy, who are both expected back for the visit of Rangers, so it’s the natural choice to give Iwata an opportunity. It is the Japanese midfielder’s first-ever start for the club after seven substitute appearances.

CELTIC travel to Dingwall this afternoon to face Ross County as Ange Postecoglou looks to close in on his second Scottish Premiership title.The Hoops.

- Ross County vs Celtic is live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event. - The referee for the match is Willie Collum whilst Steven Kirkland is on VAR duty. - Sky customers can stream the game live on Sky Go.

Ross County FC haven't scored in 5 of their 15 home matches in Premiership this season.

As a result, Malky Mackay is expected to continue with Victor Loturi and Nohan Kenneh in the middle of the park, with Josh Sims operating behind Eamonn Brophy and Jordan White in attack. To make matters worse for the Staggies, they have only managed to win two of their past 14 league outings, so it is easy to understand why they find themselves second from bottom in the table. Given their lowly league position, Ross County would have been desperate to enter the international break on the back of a positive result, but Malky Mackay’s men ended up suffering a 2-1 defeat to Livingston.

The former Rangers striker blasted VAR as a "shambles" after the decision in Dingwall.

He continued: "You don't know what you are going to get, do you? Let's go to the break." "You look at the one at Kilmarnock that wasn't given, that one is given. There might be an argument over whether it's natural or unnatural but it's a penalty kick. "You can't have it outstretched like that in the box, so it's a penalty. "As soon as you put your arm out and make that motion to header the ball, then if it strikes your arm it's a penalty kick.

The Premiership champions are on course for a second successive title as they kept their nine point lead over Rangers.

Even if it did, it was an incredibly harsh decision to award the spot kick but Jota wasn't going to complain as he stepped up and fired it into the back of the net. Nobody claimed for anything at the time and when a VAR check was first mentioned, it was believed to be for an incident with Kyogo which happened just outside the box. It's fair to say the handball rule has caused controversy and it was the same again today as Celtic were awarded a penalty for an incredibly harsh incident right at the end of the first half. And they might be a bit angry about the goal that Celtic did score given it came from the penalty spot with the final kick of the first half of the game. And Football Scotland take a look at the two big VAR calls on the day. Malky McKay's men are sitting in the relegation playoff place but they didn't just sit in and they showed some attacking quality as well during the second half but couldn't find an equaliser.