DINGWALL, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 11: Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1 during a William Hill Premiership match between Ross County and Celtic at the Global Energy Stadium, on January 11, 2025, in Dingwall, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
What could have been a tough encounter turned into a pleasant Saturday afternoon stroll for Celtic as we put four past Ross County and extended our lead at the top of the league to 18 points.
Let me say that again, just in case the media isn’t paying attention: 18 points clear at the top of the league on the 11th of January. And the good news doesn’t stop there—the Ibrox board has confirmed they’re giving Clement more time. More on that later, but for now, let’s focus on the Champions.
Yesterday, I wrote about how many goals our wide players have contributed, easing the burden on the strikers. With nearly 30 goals between them, it’s been a critical part of our success. That’s why it was especially good to see Kyogo today assume that burden with aplomb. With several wide players out injured, he stepped up magnificently, scoring twice and covering every blade of grass. It was a superb display.
Our strikers are more than capable of picking up the slack when required, but the structure of this team often means they don’t have to.
Today, when it was necessary, Kyogo delivered. I’d have liked to see Idah get on the scoresheet, but I’m not worried about his form. He contributes more than goals when he’s on the pitch. His confidence might be a little low right now, but one goal will get him back to the player we all know and love.
Nobody has to wait to see Arne Engels emerge anymore—we’re now seeing the £11 million footballer we paid for.
He had an outstanding game today, capped by a brilliant assist for Kyogo’s second goal. He also got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, albeit on his second attempt. Credit to the Ross County keeper for the initial save—he had a great game too. Engels is starting to look like the player we all hoped for, and although he hasn’t added open-play goals to his game yet, the work being put in will pay off.
Alex Valle had an excellent game, and Rie Hatate delivered his best performance in a Celtic jersey for a while. There was much to like about this match, but the impact of our substitutes was especially pleasing.
Luke McCowan scored a composed fourth goal, and John Kenny made his debut appearance. On another day, Kenny would have buried his chance, but he played very well regardless. His clever football in the buildup to the fourth goal showed exactly why he’s now training with the first team and why he was recalled from loan.
I was a bit disappointed that Daniel Cummings didn’t get on the pitch, but Kenny has shown he’ll be a valuable asset in the coming months.
Hopefully, Cummings will get his opportunity soon.
So, three points, four goals, and we got JK rolling.
That’s how you move 18 points clear while giving your so-called title rivals even more to worry about. The defeat at Ibrox is firmly in the rearview mirror now, fading fast.
I’ve just heard that if we go into the match against them at Parkhead in March with a 22-point lead, we could win the title that day.
At the rate they’re dropping points and we’re racking them up, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. What sweet revenge that would be.
That we’ll win the title isn’t even a debate anymore—it’s just a question of when.
People are already marking their calendars, which shows how much confidence has hardened into certainty. And today’s game, played on a tough pitch in a challenging environment with key players out injured, should eliminate any lingering concerns about the Ibrox performance.
Yes, tough games lie ahead. Dundee on Tuesday will be challenging, but this squad is in great shape. With a few new signings, it will be in even better shape. We should be thrilled with how things are shaping up.
Congratulations to Brendan and the team today.
They didn’t just meet expectations—they exceeded them with a professional, disciplined display.
One final note: James McFadden’s commentary. I get that he’s trying to keep his job, but his performance behind the mic was lamentable, particularly his reaction to Celtic’s penalty. Too many Celtic-affiliated pundits overcompensate to the point of embarrassment. We’re not asking for cheerleaders, just neutrality.
For God’s sake, son, don’t veer into Andy Walker territory.
Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images
A mention too for Yang had his best game in a Celtic shirt.
McFadden…. how he thinks that was not a penalty I will never know but then again he has to keep in with his BBC bosses.
Well done bhoys on that turnip field.
As I said in the comments after your previous article, today was a brilliant 3 pts.
Full credit to our team, yet again as they bounced back from Ross County’s penalty award.
I thought wee Kyogo was fantastic today, as was Engels!
I also thought Yang made some positive contributions today and great to see Kenny get some valuable minutes! I’m sure we’ll see Cummings in the fullness of time !
Big Idah needs a goal, but I’m sure his confidence will still be high !
I do agree re J McFadden’s comments and reluctance to agree it was a stonewall penalty. He’s usually good, and we can give him the benefit of the doubt on this one !
Govan is freezing over as they experience -18 conditions!
Well done Hoops! HH
Never give a BBC (Certainly Scotland) Scummy the benefit of the doubt Gerry…
Even if he is perceived to be one of our own –
Fine post tho that apart…
To match a fine win of our own !!!
Clach, you’re a hard man lol! As much as i denigrate these biased and hugely pro Sevco pundits in our media, I’ll always give some of them the benefit of the doubt!
McFadden is a Celtic fan but they’re all entitled to opinions, regardless of how wrong they may be, on certain decisions!
We’ll leave the real vitriol to the Boyds and Jacksons of this world lol
A lot more pleasing on the eye compared to Wednesday night. Well done. Usually a tricky fixture but well navigated. Thought Yang merits positive comments. Maybe more game time will lift his confidence.
So season ticket holders may boycott Mordor tomorrow. So apart from pies, programs and merchandise their board do not lose much?
I’m fortunate to be living in Lanzarote for a few months so I use Celtic TV for the games. It’s refreshing not having to listen to the Sky eejits on commentary and analysis. Peter Grant and Simon Donnelly are excellent on Celtic TV. Fair but with a Celtic angle.
J K rolling!!! Thanks for the belated Christmas cracker.
I was a bit worried when I seen the team with no Maeda or Kuhn, although we know goals come from everywhere, those 2 are huge contributors so to see Kyogo score the important goals while the result was in doubt shows his class and was difference. Kenny will go to bed thinking about that miss but his performance was really positive, he was heavily involved during his time on the pitch. Lastly, we need to take advantage of the quality of Engels corners, they’re brilliant.
Agree with a lot of your sentiments on the game James.
I disagree on the penalty though. TBH I don’t think any of the 3 were pens. All were tussles but if one is a penalty then all 3 should have been as they were all essentially the same. Yang was probably the “most” penalty of the 3 though.
Stupidly decided to tune into sport scene tonight, forced myself to listen to the ever present McCann & between him & Thompson they are throwing out the idea AJ could have & probably should have been sent off for his “foul” for the pen. Tie that in with them only showing 2 angles neither even remotely clear & the bias spews out again.
Back to our players as you say some excellent performances but I have to say as more games pass by the less I see Idah being a significant player for us.
His miss in the first half was extremely poor & I don’t find his hold up play to be as good as it should be for a man of his size.
Will be delighted to be proved wrong over the remainder of the season but as I’ve said before more & more game by game £9.5m was foolish on our part
Johnny Kenny yes !
JK Rowling NO !
No room at Celtic for bigots.
I was impressed with kenny, he often had the right idea but the execution just looked a wee bit off, looked like he was thinking too hard about what he was doing. Once he settles into the way the team works and sharpens his movements it’ll become second nature. Looks a great addition to the squad