Kyogo struck twice as Celtic eventually secured an emphatic victory over Ross County.
The Japanese striker spent spells of the contest on the Dingwall on the right as Brendan Rodgers looked to find a way to cover a lack of wingers. But, when he had to be in his natural hunting ground between the sticks, Kyogo was there for two classy finishes to take his tally for the term to a dozen.
The hitman’s opener just before the interval was a delightful flick from an Alistair Johnston cross and his second a deft and outstanding header from Arne Engels’ centre 10 minutes from time. It was a fully deserved win against a County side who hung in there and icing was added in stoppage time as Rodgers’ team scored two more through Engels for the spot and sub Luke McCowan.
Don Cowie’s team had equalised from the penalty spot themselves on the hour through sub Jordan White as they scrapped to try and halt the visitors. But Kyogo’s magical eye for a goal pushed the Staggies back down as the champions surged 18 points clear in the table. It was a fully worthy triumph, but Rodgers’ team had to work before running away with it in the end.
Kyogo and Adam Idah started in attack and Celtic’s first clear look came when the Japanese’s blocked shot broke to the Irishman who shot into the sidenet.
Johnston’s back-flick from an Idah cross was saved by keeper Jordan Amissah and County got their opening opportunity when Noah Chilvers drove an excellent opening wide.
Referee Matthew MacDermid wasn’t interested in big Celtic penalty appeals when Reo Hatate went down in the box under a challenge from Eli Campbell as he burst towards the County goal.
Rodgers’ team kept pushing with Engels shooting high after Callum McGregor had an effort charged down. Kyogo should have scored when he stabbed an Idah knockdown straight at Amissah, but the Asian made no mistake with his next look five minutes from the interval.
McGregor fed Johnston on the right flank and the Canadian delivered a fantastic ball across the box begging for a finish. Kyogo duly obliged as he darted into the danger area and flicked home a customary and clinical finish.
Celtic’s main marksman should have doubled his and his team’s tally before the interval when denied at point-blank range by Amissah after the keeper had initially done well to push out Idah’s effort.
Yang Hjun-Jun drove at the keeper straight after the restart as Celtic picked it up, out of the blue, County levelled from the penalty spot. Johnston was adjudged to be decked sub Kieran Philllips at a cross ball and, after a VAR check for the award and offside, the spot-kick stood.
White kept his composure through the delays and calmly sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way from 12 yards. Celtic had to try and win it again and only a brilliant last-ditch challenge by Akil Wright thwarted Yang in the box.
Rodgers went to his bench for Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny, who got a debut, and Alex Valle drew another terrific save from Amissah with a deflected shot.
Kenny wasted a tremendous chance as he hit an effort straight at the superb County keeper, but Kyogo’s brilliant header restored Celtic’s lead as he stole into the box to net.
Engels then put the finishing touches on the success at the second attempt from the spot. Celtic were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR check on James Brown’s challenge on Yang.
Amissah superbly saved the Belgian’s first effort, but a retake was ordered as the German had clearly moved off his line. Engels spotted it up again and made no mistake second time to seal the success and there was still time for McCowan to strike.
The midfielder collected possession in the box and adjusted his feet before rolling into the bottom for a fourth to cap the triumph. Here’s three talking points from the Highlands.
Celts flying without wings
Kyogo and Idah started and, with a lack of wingers, Rodgers had to ask the Japanese to drift with Yang taking up position on the left. Johnston showed a willingness to get in areas to deliver crosses and did so for the opener, while others made moves to try and create. Celtic did create plenty of chances and, when it mattered, Kyogo was in centrally where it hurts to do damage. The champions find ways to score goals and make chances no matter the issues that are presented.
County give champs run for their money
Don Cowie’s side had won three straight away games, yet had taken just a single point from the last trio of outings in Dingwall. Having lost the first goal, it would have been easy to go under, but they went at it after the interval and dug deep.
German keeper Jordan Amissah needed to be on top form and he was with a string of saves, but the Highlanders scrapped and gave themselves the chance of a point through White’s penalty. They were undone in the end, but they made the champs fight before the late flurry floored them.
Kenny’s dream
The striker returned from Shamrock Rovers after a hugely-successful loan spell aiming to get an outing and he got his opportunity in the latter stages of the contest for Idah. The 21-year-old had one big chance to score at a crucial time and couldn’t take it, but it was still a day to remember for the Irish attacker. Kenny was involved in the fourth goal and it’s a day he won’t forget. The task now is to try and convince his manager he is worth more minutes and action.