24.01.2015 16:02 h

Celtic extend lead with unconvincing County victory

Celtic needed a huge slice of luck to secure a narrow 1-0 away victory over Ross County which extends their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points.

In an unconvincing performance the Hoops, who were held to a goalless draw by their hosts last month, struggled to break down a stubborn County defence which is statistically the worst in the league.

It was County, desperately fighting for their Premiership survival, who went close first with a shot from Craig Curran before the forward had a penalty appeal dismissed after he appeared to be pushed off the ball by Emilio Izaguirre.

Leigh Griffiths and John Guidetti both conspired to miss great opportunities to fire Celtic in front before they eventually made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute when a wicked deflection from Paul Quinn took a Kris Commons long distance shot beyond County 'keeper Antonio Reguero.

The win moves Celtic further ahead of Aberdeen, who dropped points in Friday's 1-1 draw with St Johnstone, with the Hoops also having a game in hand over their rivals.

It was a fifth consecutive clean sheet for Celtic, who will resume their Old Firm rivalry with Rangers for the first time since 2012 when they clash in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden next Sunday.

It was the hosts who had the first chance of the match when Curran let fly from 30 yards but his shot whistled just wide.

Adam Matthews then fed Commons whose curling shot failed to trouble County 'keeper Antonio Reguero before the former Scotland international headed Izaguirre's cross high over the bar.

Izaguirre then fired a shot over before being involved in a penalty claim for County at the other end. Scott Boyd's header was making its way to Curran at the back post when Izaguirre appeared to push him off the ball but referee Kevin Clancy ignored the appeals of the County players.

Graham Carey's dipping effort from 25 yards out resulted in an awkward save from Craig Gordon before Commons took a free-kick which produced a superb save from Reguero.

Celtic should have taken the lead moments after the restart when Guidetti slipped a pass to Griffiths but his weak shot was blocked by Reguero with Guidetti's follow-up being turned out for a corner after it cannoned off the back of defender Jamie Reckord.

The Hoops eventually made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute with a huge slice of luck. Commons took aim from 30 yards out and his low strike took a wicked deflection off the out-stretched leg of Quinn and it spun over the head of the helpless Reguero.

Liam Henderson's bouncing shot from the edge of the area was then turned round the post by Guidetti as Celtic looked for a second their dominance deserved.

Celtic stopper Gordon hadn't had much to do in the second half but he was called into action in the 83rd minute to stop a decent half-volley from Boyd which looked to be heading into the bottom corner.