Celtic 3 Ross County 0 LIVE score as Daizen Maeda denied by a diving Ross Laidlaw save

It’s flag day for Scottish champions Celtic as Brendan Rodgers faces Ross County in his first game of the new season.

The returning Parkhead boss won seven trophies out of seven during his last spell at Celtic Park and he will look to set the tone for more success in Glasgow’s east end with a win over Malky Mackay’s side.

It’s been a summer of change since the departure of Ange Postecoglou saw the Irishman arrive at Celtic Park, while star man Jota has also left the club for a bumper payday in the Saudi Pro League.

But the core of the squad that claimed a historic eighth Treble for Celtic last season remains and supporters hopes are high going into the new campaign.

For Ross County boss Mackay it’s a case of kicking on from last season – with the Staggies narrowly avoiding the drop after a dramatic Premiership playoff victory over Partick Thistle. However, County could not have asked for a tougher opening day fixture.

Celtic: Hart, Taylor, Nawrocki, Carter-Vickers, Ralston, McGregor, Turnbull, O’Riley, Abada, Maeda, Kyogo Subs: Bain, Starfelt, Yang, Kwon, Holm, Oh, Iwata, Hatate, Forrest.

Ross County: Laidlaw, Randall, Brown, Baldwin, Dhanda, Sims, Loturi, Murray, Harmon, White, Nightingale Subs: Munro, Allardice, Turner, Sheaf, Henderson, Samuel, Brophy, Smith, Reid

Follow all the action LIVE as it happens.

Updates Available

14:22Matthew Fulton

Five added

Five minutes have been added on at Celtic Park.

We’re to expect more injury time this season but this one will end relatively swiftly.

14:21Matthew Fulton

Oops

Laidlaw and Maeda tangle in the area as the Celtic Park crowd shout for a penalty.

It was an awkward one for the County keeper but in the end nothing doing for Nick Walsh.

14:19Matthew Fulton

Stunning Celtic

A Celtic counter attack straight from the training ground agonisingly ends in a save from Laidlaw.

First Yang gives County the slip outside the Hoops area, feeding Hatate who finds Maeda and his cross ends at the feet of Forrest who cannot finish with the Staggies keeper making himself big.

That would have been one for the end of season highlight reel.

14:15Matthew Fulton

Coming Holm

Odin Thiago Holm makes his Parkhead debut with goalscorer O’Riley off.

14:14Matthew Fulton

Malky turns scarlet

Malky Mackay might be 4-1 down but the County gaffer is turning scarlet on the touchline.

He barks commands at his Staggies as they experience a long period without the ball.

The gaffer is on a booking, however, and won’t want to mark the league opener with a suspension.

14:13Matthew Fulton

Easy days

Celtic are motoring through the final ten minutes of the game and County can’t get the ball.

It’s pedestrian at times but Rodgers will be pleased with the manner of the second half showing.

14:10Matthew Fulton

Kyogo off

James Forrest comes on for Kyogo while Yang makes his Celtic league debut for Abada!

14:09Matthew Fulton

Abada down

Liel Abada looks in discomfort after a clash on a previous counter attack.

The Israeli moved with speed but is now down on the turf and looks to be replaced.

14:07Matthew Fulton

Close

Kyogo closes in on a brace but his final touch lets him down at a crucial moment.

The hitman finds the space inside the area but County respond with haste as 15 minutes remain on the clock.

14:05Key Event

GOAL! Celtic

Celtic’s Matt O’Riley celebrates after making it 4-1 (Image: SNS Group)

Matt O’Riley slams home with aplomb after a neat bit of interplay with Kyogo.

The Dane takes his chance when offered and makes no mistake. Celtic have daylight between themselves and County.

14:01Matthew Fulton

Hatate blooters

In unorthodox fashion, Reo Hatate boots an unisghted ball in to the middle of the park that ends up in lost possesion.

The Japanese star is known for his slick play but he looks slightly unbalanced coming on, however it could just be a bit of rustiness as the season gets properly underway.

13:58Matthew Fulton

Starfelt last bow?

Carl Starfelt enters the fray alongside Reo Hatate with Nawrocki and Turnbull off.

It could be a final bow for the Swede with Rodgers confirming transfer interest in the defender pre-match.

13:58Matthew Fulton

Boyd gives penalty verdict

Kris Boyd reckons Joe Hart should have conceded a penalty in the first half after an uh-oh moment in the area.

Simon Murray looked to be infringed but nothing was doing for Nick Walsh.

Kris Boyd ‘guarantees’ Celtic penalty conceded on one condition as Joe Hart told he got lucky

13:55Matthew Fulton

A stinger

That goal has stung the Parkhead crowd somewhat.

It’s a set piece that the Hoops have lost from, with the marking leaving a lot to be desired at the back post.

Kyogo does his best to try and clear but the ball was only heading in one direction after White connected.

13:52Key Event

GOAL! County

Ross County get one back as Jordan White rises highest from the corner with Joe Hart stranded.

A looping header in to the far post has the Staggies reducing the advantage.

13:50Matthew Fulton

Japan connection

Super play from Kyogo on the shoulder as he finds Maeda who flees the County defence.

His cross however is too close to Baldwin who deals with the threat with Turnbull and Abada racing towards goal.

13:48Matthew Fulton

Ch-changes

County bring on Samuel, Turner and Allardice while Sims, Loturi and Murray go off.

13:46Matthew Fulton

Baldwin sore one

Jack Baldwin saved his side from going down by four but he takes a sore one from a stinging Kyogo strike.

The County skipper putting it all on the line for his side to avoid more goals.

13:43Matthew Fulton

Maeda troubles

Daizen Maeda is now troubling the County defence after a quiet day.

His blocked effort goes for a corner after O’Riley forced a big save from Laidlaw.

13:43Matthew Fulton

O’Riley hesitance

Matt O’Riley finds himself inside the six yard box but wanted to get the ball on his left and missed the chance.

The Dane has made an impact from the front today but fluffed his lines.

13:41Matthew Fulton

Kyogo deep

Kyogo is coming deep in to his own half to build from the back.

It’s an unusual position to see the Japanese man in, and at times his play is a little loose which can cause problems for the Hoops defence.

A clear instruction from Rodgers, however, seems to have the hitman changing up his game.

13:39Matthew Fulton

The daunting task

County must now look to shore up in the hope of avoiding a heavy defeat.

It’s an all-too familiar feeling for Scottish sides and goal difference, while not today’s immediate priority, could be a factor on the final day.

13:37Matthew Fulton

RESTART!

The second half gets underway at Celtic Park!

13:20Key Event

HALF TIME! Celtic 3 Ross County 0

Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after making it 2-0 (Image: SNS Group)

Celtic go in to the break three goals to the good after a David Turnbull brace and a cool Kyogo finish.

Brendan Rodgers couldn’t have asked for more from his return match.

13:19Matthew Fulton

Malky booked

Malky Mackay’s remonstrating has earned him a booking as Nick Walsh brandishes the card.

Not the first half the gaffer would have envisioned.

13:18Matthew Fulton

Stingy

Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker says the fourth official has been stung by a wasp and needs treatment.

Yet Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton rightly pointed out that it is the visitors who are suffering the affects so far as County’s bright star has dissipated majorly.

13:16Matthew Fulton

A smart call

Brendan Rodgers may have raised a few eyebrows dropping Hatate for Turnbull today.

But the former Motherwell man has more than rewarded his new boss with two smart finishes in the first half. Not only that, Turnbull has played high up the pitch and his movement is causing County all sorts of a bother.

A dream start to the season for the Scotland star.

13:13Key Event

GOAL! Celtic

Celtic’s David Turnbull scores to make it 3-0 (Image: SNS Group)

David Turnbull grabs a brace after he connects with O’Riley’s floated cross at the back post!

A smart finish from the midfielder who is now on a hat-trick. He was unmarked in the penalty area and County look all at sea.

13:12Matthew Fulton

McGregor motivates

Callum McGregor can be seen urging his team forward after some neat but not adventorous play at the back.

The skipper wants the intensity levels higher but Rodgers’ men are comfortable with the ball and looking for the forwards in behind.

13:11Matthew Fulton

County frustrated

County are committing a few fouls now on Celtic who have a skip in their stride towards half time.

Turnbull and others are taking positions high up the pitch and two looks set to become three if the play continues this way.

13:09Matthew Fulton

Turnbull close

David Turnbull finds himself through on goal but his first time effort is saved by Laidlaw.

O’Riley follows up but the Staggies clean up in the six-yard area, a big chance for a third after 37 minutes.

13:05Matthew Fulton

Steady Maik

Maik Nawrocki looks steady on his feet as he picks out Greg Taylor with a nice forward pass.

The Pole has solid Carter-Vickers to anchor him but the youngster is doing more than the basics so far in his debut.

13:02Matthew Fulton

Nope

There’s no further action to be taken and the game goes on.

13:01Matthew Fulton

Red?

VAR is checking for a red card after Kyogo was hauled down.

13:01Matthew Fulton

The Ange effect still clear to see

That was a goal straight out of the Ange Postecoglou textbook.

Rodgers spoke earlier of tinkering with the Australian’s tried and tested system while also implementing his own style to the play. And it appears to be a mix of both already but a counter attack seen a million times before led to that goal.

Kyogo hasn’t been at the forefront so far but took his chance with aplomb.

12:57Key Event

GOAL! Celtic

(Image: SNS Group)

A typical Celtic finish from Kyogo as Abada sends the ball across the box for the Japanese to fire home.

Laidlaw may feel he could have done better but the finish is controlled from the hitman.

Celtic have breathing room now.

12:55Matthew Fulton

A little short

Some of the Hoops passing is short and County are able to squeeze the play.

Nevertheless Rodgers will be pleased with the number that counts on the scoreboard and it appears the Irishman is asking his side to be fluid with players roaming from position often.

An interesting move for the league opener with O’Riley and McGregor pulling the strings from the middle

12:55Mark Pirie

Starfelt nearing Celtic exit

He is on the bench today but Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the defender is on the way out of Celtic Park.

Read More

12:53Matthew Fulton

Scramble

County provide a real scare in the Celtic six-yard box.

It’s Bambi on ice stuff in the penalty area as Abada, O’Riley and McGregor all fail to clear the ball fully from danger.

The aways side have not been deflated by the goal conceded one bit.

12:50Matthew Fulton

Ramping it up

Celtic have the bit between their teeh now as Maeda charges down the left.

Greg Taylor, who won the spot kick, looks to drive in to the area and County are penned in after a brave start in Glasgow.

12:48Key Event

GOAL! Celtic

(Image: SNS Group)

David Turnbull converts from the spot as Celtic take the lead at Parkhead!

A cool finish from the midfielder

12:47Matthew Fulton

PENALTY! Celtic

The home side have a spot kick as Taylor is brought down by Simms.

There is a VAR check ongoing.

12:47Matthew Fulton

GB return

The Green Brigade have made a return to their usual section for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership Flag Day fixture against Ross County and the first competitive of the Brendan Rodgers’ second coming at Parkhead.

The ultras group were missing from the North Curve section 111 for the midweek friendly against Athletic Bilbao for James Forrest’s testimonial and came in for some stick from some fans given Forrest’s service to the club. When Rodgers returned to Celtic as boss this summer, the Green Brigade were unforgiving after the shock manner of his departure for Leicester City in 2019.

READ MORE:

12:45Matthew Fulton

Hart in your mouth

Joe Hart is inches away from making a massive blunder.

The keeper chests the ball down and lets Murray run on to the ball. There is a shout for a penalty from County but the Hoops survive the scare.

Nearly car crash stuff.

12:44Matthew Fulton

Huge block

Cameron Carter-Vickes provides a crucial block from Murray’s effort as County come close to drawing first blood.

There is an urgency about the Staggies and the Hoops aren’t coping well at all.

12:41Matthew Fulton

Long ball the plan

County are now looking to send long balls in behind.

Kyogo puts pressure on the defender who plays a no-look pass towards exciting Dhanda, but this time he can’t keep the ball in to challenge Ralston.

Abada then strides forward but his shot doesn’t earn a corner.

12:40Matthew Fulton

Lethargy

Chris Sutton reckons there’s a lethargy about Celtic and the Record Sport columnist isn’t wrong.

It’s County with five touches in the home box and the champions with zero, a slow start for sure.

Yet possesion looks to be in Celtic’s hands as Daizen Maeda’s run in to the box is cut out.

12:36Matthew Fulton

More like it

This is more like the Celtic of last season as County are penned in on the edge of their 18-yard box.

Liel Abada looks to trouble Mackay’s side down the right and County are forced in to a foul in a dangerous area.

12:34Matthew Fulton

Messy and Murray misses

Celtic’s play is incredibly sloppy in the opening stages as players scramble to chase the ball.

County then attack down the left and a dangerous cross ball falls to Simon Murray who can’t hit home.

A warning that the visitors are here to play.

12:32Matthew Fulton

Early scare

Ross County go direct right from the off and Celtic must defend a corner.

An early scare but Maik Nawrocki moves quickly to deal with the issue.

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