This was the 10th time this season that Celtic have scored three or more goals at home.
Ross County losing by that amount isn’t the greatest shock, but the scoreline flattered the hosts given the goalscoring chances the visitors created.
That’s not to say that Celtic didn’t have plenty of other goalscoring chances themselves, but the Staggies should have left Glasgow with at least a goal or two given the opportunities that were fashioned.
Josh Mullin’s speed gave him time to weigh up a lob over the goalkeeper, but the shot never came down in time. Mullin was involved in another excellent first-half chance, with his burst down the right causing panic in the home defence before the ball fell for Blair Spittal who was unable to apply the finishing touch.
These were encouraging signs.
Although Nathan Baxter’s hands were kept warm, County deserved to go into the break level.
Unfortunately that wasn’t to be, with what looked like a very soft penalty being awarded against Keith Watson in near-identical circumstances to an incident with Steven Naismith against Hearts.
Celtic were able to call on Odsonne Edouard from the bench and he quickly changed the complexion of the match. The Staggies couldn’t cope with his quality but should keep heads held high going into the next fixture.