Ross County were unable to halt the Celtic juggernaut as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Parkhead last night.
The Staggies enjoyed some impressive passages of play during the first half but two cheaply conceded goals from Erik Sviatchenko and Stuart Armstrong in the final seven minutes of the opening period put the home side on their way to a 14th consecutive league win.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, who face rivals Rangers on Hogmanay, have now won 18 of their 19 league matches this season with their only slip-up coming in a 2-2 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle in September.
It was a frustrating and tiring evening for the Staggies but there were several positive individual performances ahead of their upcoming derby with Caley Thistle this weekend.
The odds were stacked against Jim McIntyre’s side in their penultimate fixture of 2016.
Celtic went into this encounter unbeaten in 22 domestic matches this season, while Ross County had never tasted victory at Parkhead.
County may have started the evening inside the top six but were a whopping 32 points adrift of leaders Celtic – and only four ahead of bottom side Caley Thistle.
Celtic, averaging three goals at home in the league this season, were looking to head into Saturday’s Old Firm on a positive note. They made three changes with Ryan Christie, James Forrest and Jozo Simunovic coming in for Cristian Gamboa, Patrick Roberts and the suspended Callum McGregor.
The Staggies made two alterations from the team beaten 3-1 by Partick Thistle with Tony Dingwall and Ryan Dow benched with Alex Schalk and Martin Woods handed starts.
County manager McIntyre had encouraged his players to “embrace the occasion” and they made an encouraging start with a dangerous Christopher Routis corner unnerving the home defence before Woods tested Craig Gordon with a speculative long-range drive.
That early promise from the visitors continued with an intelligent through ball from Routis setting up Liam Boyce but a desperate challenge from Emilio Izaguirre averted the danger.
McIntyre would have been delighted with the way his side had begun proceedings and it could have got even better in the 23rd minute when Woods fed Boyce but, with a free shot on goal, the Northern Ireland international uncharacteristically fluffed his lines.
The tension was beginning to rise around Parkhead with the hosts struggling to carve open the Staggies.
It took almost half an hour for the Hoops to finally threaten with Scott Sinclair nodding inches wide from a wicked Izaguire delivery.
Celtic captain Scott Brown passed up a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock when he blasted over from 15 yards before a tame attempt by Stuart Armstrong was easily held by Scott Fox.
But Ross County’s resistance gave way seven minutes before the interval.
There appeared to be little danger when Sviatchenko collected the ball 35 yards from goal but the Danish defender produced a low, fizzing drive that squirmed past Fox and into the bottom corner of the net.
Not one the County goalkeeper will enjoy watching back.
And in the second minute of injury time, the hosts doubled their advantage when Armstrong fashioned a yard of space on the edge of the penalty area before firing beyond Fox.
The pressure on the Ross County goal continued after the break with Staggies defender Marcus Fraser fortunate to go unpunished for holding back Sinclair as he raced clear on goal.
The visitors were struggling to get out of their own half and a third goal for the Celts looked inevitable but Tim Chow made a timely interception to deny Sinclair before Leigh Griffiths nodded over from five yards out when it looked easier to score.
With just under half an hour remaining, County manager McIntyre handed young midfielder Reghan Tumilty his debut with the 19-year-old replacing Schalk, while Ian McShane was introduced for Routis.
Tumilty almost made an instant impact with an enticing delivery into the penalty area clawed away by Celtic goalkeeper Gordon before Boyce could apply the finishing touch.
The home side felt they should have had a penalty when Sinclair was sent sprawling by Fraser inside the area but referee Nick Walsh was unmoved.
Woods almost pulled a goal back in stunning style with nine minutes to go when the midfielder’s long-range attempt was tipped round the post by a relieved Gordon.
County’s unexpected late rally continued with Andrew Davies testing the reflexes of Gordon from a Woods corner as McIntyre’s men pushed for something to show for their efforts but the Hoops held out for a clean sheet and another three points on their relentless push towards the title.