Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic travel to Dingwall to face Ross County in the league's opening fixture of the weekend on Saturday lunchtime.

Brendan Rodgers's side returned to winning ways in midweek after two straight draws on the continent and domestically.

Match preview

Celtic left it late on Wednesday, but they just about got over the line to see off an in-form St Mirren side on home soil.

A late goal from Hyeongyu Oh saw them narrowly see off Stephen Robinson's men by two goals to one, having also gone behind in the early stages.

That win keeps Celtic five points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premiership, and it was the perfect response to dropping points for just the second time this season away at Hibernian last weekend.

Coming into this clash though, it is highly probable that Rodgers will have one eye on their Champions League clash in Madrid on Tuesday.

The buffer they have at the top means Rodgers may alter his team selection and tactical approach slightly here, as the second of their back-to-back clashes with Atletico Madrid is likely to take priority.

A draw on matchday three with the Spanish outfit has kept faint hopes alive that Celtic may play European football in the new year.

Making some adjustments should not impact Celtic too much, considering their imperious record over Ross County of late, winning nine in a row against their upcoming opponents.

In 33 historical league meetings, Celtic have lost just twice, and they both came at home in 2013 and 2021, as they have never lost to Ross County here in Dingwall.

Ross County are also hopelessly out of form, having now gone seven games without a win which has seen them slide down the standings.

Two wins from their opening four league games meant a promising season may have been on the horizon, but form since means those six points could prove vital in keeping them away from the bottom instead.

After struggling St Johnstone got their first win of the season in midweek, County need to ensure they continue to get points on the board, and they have drawn their last three to keep them hovering just above the drop zone.

The point Malky Mackay's side salvaged from the jaws of defeat in midweek was much welcome too, as they came from 2-0 down in the final 15 minutes to draw at Hibs.

A brief upturn in form could be so fruitful for any side marooned in mid-table though, as just four points separate fourth from 11th in the Premiership, but too many draws means County are struggling to move.

Facing the strongest side in the division is a daunting prospect too and they are unlikely to move up this week, so County are slightly fortunate that half of the league are not in league action this weekend.

Team News

Ross County will be without Josh Reid (toe) and Ben Paton (knee) for this encounter, but the duo are not too far away from making a return.

Mackay and the County faithful will be looking towards Simon Murray for inspiration, and after netting 10 goals in 16 games so far this season, he registered his first assist in midweek, setting up Jordan White's late equaliser at Hibs.

Rotation is likely in the Celtic side with the trip to Madrid coming up in midweek, but the league leaders remain without a lengthy list of players due to injury.

Marco Tilio is yet to feature since joining the club, while Liel Abada is set to miss the rest of the year with a thigh injury.

Reo Hatate will be a big miss in midfield as his hamstring issue will keep him sidelined for a few weeks, while James McCarthy has been a long-term absentee.

Maik Nawrocki is back in training after a hamstring problem of his own, but Stephen Welsh is set to miss out once more with an ankle injury.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Brown, Baldwin, Leak, Purrington; Loturi, Randall, Allardice, Turner; Brophy, Murray

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Ralston, Phillips, Scales, Taylor; Turnbull, McGregor, O'Riley; Forrest, Kyogo, Maeda

We say: Ross County 0-3 Celtic

Even though Rodgers may change some personnel in key areas, they should still have more than enough to easily see off their hosts and extend their healthy lead at the top with Rangers not in league action.

Having gone seven without a win, it is unlikely Ross County will end that barren run here, especially as they have lost all of the previous nine meetings.


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