David Turnbull bags brace in winning Celtic return for Brendan Rodgers

David Turnbull seized his fresh start with a double as Celtic opened the cinch Premiership season with a home victory over Ross County.

Brendan Rodgers preferred Turnbull to Reo Hatate in his first competitive match since returning as Celtic manager and the midfielder vindicated his faith with two first-half efforts which sandwiched Kyogo Furuhashi's goal.

The 24-year-old had not started a league game since 12 November last and looked an increasingly peripheral figure during Ange Postecoglou's second season in charge.

Turnbull was named the club's man of the match and probably should have a had a hat-trick as he revelled in playing in the advanced role in Rodgers' three-man midfield ahead of Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley.

Rodgers also made a big decision in central defence as Maik Nawrocki made his debut ahead of Carl Starfelt, who came off the bench later on.

Jordan White had netted for the visitors by that stage and O'Riley restored Celtic's three-goal cushion before James Brown's deflected effort provided further consolation for the visitors.

The County players and manager Malky Mackay gave the champions a guard of honour as they entered the field before Celtic substitute James Forrest raised the league flag.

The visitors did not stand back when the whistle blew. Mackay's side got men forward in numbers and had an early chance when both Simon Murray and Josh Sims were unable to turn home from close range.

Murray then turned inside Anthony Ralston before being denied by a Cameron Carter-Vickers block.

Ralston looked rusty early on after missing much of pre-season and his lofted back pass put Joe Hart under pressure. The goalkeeper chested the ball down before being dispossessed by Murray, who stumbled and ran the ball out