Post-match with A Celtic State of Mind – The Staggies hit for six by rampant Celtic

KEVIN O’ROURKE:

We returned to the top of the league today after a 6-0 win over Ross County at Celtic Park.

Having lost our last league game before the international break, it was important we got back to winning ways today and we did that in spectacular style.

The manager made some changes to the team from our last league game with Rogic replacing the suspended Christie and young Frimpong coming in at right-back.

It didn’t take long for us to get on top with Elyounoussi scoring after just four minutes on the clock.

Some of the play in the first-half was delightful with Elyounoussi, Edouard and McGregor catching the eye for me.

It only seemed like a matter of time before we got a second. After being denied by the woodwork from a McGregor shot, we also had a shot cleared off the line and some great saves from the County keeper kept it at 1-0 going in at half-time.

Whatever the manager said at half-time seemed to have worked, with a message no doubt to be more clinical In front of goal, as within 10 minutes of the restart we were 5-0 up with Edouard getting a double and McGregor and Forrest scoring in quick succession.

Elyounoussi made it six after 70 minutes with his second goal of the afternoon.

Bayo had a chance late on but was denied after being one-on-one with the keeper.

Overall, it was a emphatic display for the champions which could easily have been double figures and sets us up well going into the Lazio game this coming Thursday night.

Man of the match for me was Elyounoussi but a special mention to Frimpong, who I also thought done well.

MARTIN DONALDSON:

Some beautiful intricate link up play in the opening minutes of the first-half was a wonderful insight to what was to follow during a dominant 90-minute performance from the champions at Celtic Park today. The 1-0 lead at half-time was scant consolation for a breathless opening 45 minutes in which Celtic played a fantastic brand of open attacking football.

By the time the queues at the pie stalls had started to clear early in the second half, Celtic were already out of sight and three points were secured. The only thing missing from the first-half were the goals the play deserved, but that was soon overcome as Celtic romped to a deserved victory.

As good a team performance as we’ve witnessed at home this season along with a standout display from 18-year-old Jeremie Frimpong. A great day in Paradise and a spring in our step for Europa League action on Thursday night.

KEVIN GRAHAM:

The talk on the way to the game was about making statements and markers. I didn’t quite see it like that. That’s for the business end. Today, was about winning and we did that and then some, and then we added some bells, and then we threw glitter on top.

I kept on thinking about the future. Not Thursday night, not Aberdeen next Sunday but THE FUTURE. Watching Jeremie Frimpong tease, torment and trick the Ross County left-hand side and, having considered the appointment of Nicky Hammond, I concluded that this 18-year-old Dutchman is our future.

We signed Odsonne Edouard, who was untouchable today, when he was 18 and with no hope of breaking into the PSG side. This summer we signed 19-year-olds in Connell, Afolabi and O’Conner. Add to that the signing of 16-year-olds Tobi Oluwayemi and Leo Hjelde and our own Dembele.

We are no longer in the market for 21 or 22-year-olds who have first-team experience. We are now in the market for younger players who haven’t knocked on the first-team dressing room.

Today, shows that they can get a football education on the finest canvas. Our league may not be the best but we try to teach players to be the best and also give them opportunities to grow. Mo Elyounoussi is seeking confidence and his perfectly timed runs beyond were a joy today. Bolingoli has settled in and looks comfortable.

Football is full of inconsistencies and where we are and what we do will see that happen. Today was a joy, showed strength of squad and a freedom that, if it wasn’t there we wouldn’t have been concerned after the last two results. But, it was there and we enjoyed it.

🍀 A CELTIC STATE OF MIND
⭐️ Man of the Match
🏆 Celtic 6 Ross County 0

1️⃣ Frimpong
2️⃣ Edouard
3️⃣ Elyounoussi