Ross County had an afternoon to forget as they went down 6-0 at the hands of Celtic at Parkhead.
Doubles from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Odsonne Edouard, along with strikes by Callum McGregor and James Forrest, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Dingwall men, who drop to sixth in the Premiership.
County made two changes from the side which drew 2-2 with St Johnstone last time out, with Josh Mullin and Ross Draper brought in to replace Tom Grivosti and Billy Mckay.
The Staggies made the nightmare start, falling behind after just four minutes. Only moments after Elyounoussi had seen a low strike comfortably gathered by Ross Laidlaw, the Norwegian international weaved past Marcus Fraser before angling a shot low into the Staggies goalkeeper’s bottom right corner.
Celtic looked keen to build on their early breakthrough, with Odsonne Eduoard a particular threat, seeing an effort well beaten away by Laidlaw before seeing another strike blocked by Keith Watson.
Although County enjoyed brief spells of possession they struggled to put pressure on Fraser Forster’s goal, with Blair Spittal sending a strike well wide of target in the visitors’ first meaningful effort.
The Hoops’ pursuit of a second goal continued, with Laidlaw making an excellent save to tip James Forrest’s shot wide after County had given away possession in midfield, while Richard Foster cleared off the line after Eduoard had slipped a shot through the legs of Laidlaw. Frenchman Eduoard threatened again moments later, seeing an effort blocked by the impressive Laidlaw.
Foster was forced to make another goalline clearance on 26 minutes to deny Christopher Julien’s header from a corner, while the Staggies survived another let off seven minutes later when Elyounoussi played in Callum McGregor whose powerful drive came back off the post.
County’s resistance was broken in a horrendous start to the second half, in which they conceded three goals in the space of just five minutes. The second goal arrived just 60 seconds after the interval when Watson’s missed header from a Julien ball allowed Edouard in on goal, and he made no mistake with a composed low finish past Laidlaw.
Celtic made it three on 49 minutes, with Edouard picking out McGregor to run through on goal, and the midfielder calmly slotted past the advancing Laidlaw.
Worse followed within 60 seconds when Edouard’s goalbound header was helped on its way in by a deflection off defender Liam Fontaine.
County could have pulled a goal back moments later when Ross Stewart’s low effort forced a save by the legs of Forster, however Celtic were not finished yet, with Forrest thumping home a fifth on 56 minutes after getting on the end of a Jeremie Frimpong cutback.
Neil Lennon’s men made it six on 72 minutes, with Elyounoussi reacting quickly to knock home Boli Bolingoli’s goalbound effort.