Celtic showed tremendous resilience and mental strength to come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory over Ross County, maintaining their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season. In a match where they were far from their best, Brendan Rodgers’ men dug deep to bounce back from a first-half deficit, ultimately grinding out a crucial win.
The victory came at a pivotal time for Celtic, who were under pressure to respond following a midweek Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Manager Brendan Rodgers had publicly called on his players to “bounce back even higher,” and while it took time for his side to respond, they eventually delivered in dramatic fashion.
Slow Start for Celtic
Despite Rodgers’ rallying cry, Celtic were sluggish for much of the match and struggled to assert their dominance against a disciplined Ross County side. For the first 70 minutes, Celtic looked a shadow of their usual selves, struggling to create clear-cut chances and appearing vulnerable at the back. Their opponents, on the other hand, were well-organized, showing exactly how to frustrate a superior team.
Ross County capitalized on Celtic’s slow start with a first-half penalty, expertly converted by Ronan Hale. Michee Efete’s cross struck the arm of Celtic defender Liam Scales inside the box, and after a quick VAR check, referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot. Hale made no mistake from 12 yards out, firing County into the lead and leaving Celtic with a mountain to climb.
Celtic’s response was flat in the first half, and they struggled to break down a resolute Ross County defense. County’s discipline, coupled with their ability to exploit Celtic’s lack of intensity, was the story of the opening 45 minutes. The Hoops lacked urgency, with their passing too slow and their movement off the ball uninspired.
Rodgers’ Halftime Pep Talk
Brendan Rodgers was clearly frustrated with his side’s performance, admitting post-match that Celtic “looked like they wanted an easy game” in the first half. His halftime team talk, however, seemed to reinvigorate his players. The Celtic manager demanded more fight and intensity from his side, and in the second half, they gradually began to show signs of life.
“We deserved to win the game, but we want to win it in the best way,” Rodgers told after the match. “First half, we didn’t quite do that, but the players showed great resilience and mentality to come from behind.”
Celtic’s Late Surge Seals Comeback Victory
It took until the 70th minute for Celtic to truly find their rhythm. A tactical tweak saw Rodgers bring on fresh legs in attack. Celtic began to stretch Ross County’s defense with quicker ball movement and more purposeful attacking play.
Their equalizer came courtesy of Daizen Maeda, whose clinical finish came after an incisive pass from Reo Hatate. Maeda’s strike ignited the Celtic crowd, and the Hoops continued to push forward in search of a winner.
With Ross County tiring, Celtic’s relentless pressure eventually paid off. In the 85th minute, Kyogo Furuhashi, who had been a constant threat in the second half, latched onto a cross from James Forrest and powered a header past County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw to make it 2-1.
Furuhashi’s goal proved to be the decisive moment, as Celtic held on to secure the victory. It was far from a vintage performance, but the three points were vital as they continued their flawless start to the league campaign.
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