Celtic beat Ross County to stay nine clear ahead of Old Firm derby

Jota and substitute Alexandro Bernabei struck at the end of each half as Celtic defeated Ross County 2-0 in Dingwall to maintain their nine-point advantage over Rangers at the top of the cinch Premiership ahead of next weekend's Glasgow derby.

Portuguese winger Jota netted the opener after referee Willie Collum - following a VAR review - deemed that the ball had struck Alex Iacovitti's arm in the box, much to the dismay of the home side.

Bernabei eventually made sure of the points with a stunning strike in stoppage time, ensuring Ange Postecoglou's rampant side go into Saturday's home showdown with Rangers buoyed by a 15-game winning run in all competitions since their 2-2 draw at Ibrox at the start of January.

County - who produced a spirited display - remain in the relegation play-off spot, two points ahead of last-placed Dundee United, after suffering a third straight defeat.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Staggies boss Malky Mackay made two tweaks to the team that started the 2-1 loss at Livingston in their previous match as Josh Sims and Keith Watson made way for David Cancola and 16-year-old centre-back Dylan Smith, who was handed his first start.

Celtic made one enforced change to the side that started the 3-1 win over Hibernian before the international break as Japanese midfielder Tomoki Iwata came in for his first start since joining in January, replacing injured countryman Reo Hatate.

The visitors had the first clear chance of the match in the 10th minute when Cameron Carter-Vickers bulleted a header over the bar after Alistair Johnston had nodded Matt O'Riley's free-kick back across goal.

Jota then turned and shot wide from inside the box after being slipped in by Iwata in the 23rd minute but Celtic - although enjoying the