Giorgos Giacomakis scored a hat-trick from Parkhead to take Celtic to the highest of the Premier League by six factors, 4-0 over 10-man Ross County.
A double from the Greece striker responded from fellow striker Daisen Maeda that preceded Kane Ramsey’s dismissal for a foul on Tom Rogic, with all of the drama going down within the first 28 minutes.
The Hoops assault continued within the second half as Giacomakis scored a penalty after the hour to attain one other hat-trick after a hat-trick at house in opposition to Dundee final month.
The stress shifts to second-placed Rangers, who journey to backside membership Dundee on Sunday, alive Sky Sports activities.
Nonetheless, Celtic haven’t misplaced a league sport for the reason that 1-0 defeat to Livingston in September, and with seven league video games remaining, they’re displaying no indicators of giving up on their journey to Ibrox after the worldwide break has taken on extra prominence.
In the meantime, County has to recuperate from its first defeat in 4 video games because it tries to complete the primary half.
There was applause a minute earlier than the sport in honor of former Celtic coach and caretaker Frank Connor who just lately handed away on the age of 86 earlier than Jota, who’s again with Rogic, began the Hobbs efficiency by capturing over the bar.
County appeared to have settled into the sport however was undone for the primary time when Jota despatched a cross to the again submit as Giacomakis climbed to a excessive to move from shut vary for his tenth of the season.
Moments later, there was a penalty kick from Staggies striker Joseph Hongbo within the County penalty space however referee Don Robertson waved to play.
Celtic’s Giorgios Giacomakis (proper) celebrates with Tom Rojic after profitable 2-0
Nonetheless, the house owners of the land didn’t have to attend lengthy for the second and Giacomakis used his head once more to good impact.
The Greek striker’s first aim, after Jota’s cross to the again submit from Maeda, was turned away by central defender Jack Baldwin however the striker merely despatched the ball to the nook of the web.
County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw saved from Maeda’s header and Callum McGregor superior, however from the final nook within the twenty sixth minute, the league leaders added the third aim.
Giacomakis drove Jota’s supply towards Maeda, who missed Laidlaw from a number of meters away.
Issues obtained worse for the guests moments later when Ramsey, on mortgage from Southampton, appeared in a pink straight for a problem on Rogic, which incensed Hobbs followers.
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Highlights Livingston vs Celtic within the Scottish Premier League.
Keith Watson changed Hengbo when Mackay’s house owners altered the county chief, with Rogic limping out to get replaced by Matt O’Reilly, who shortly approached the sting of the penalty space.
Celtic stress was relentless earlier than and after the break and when referee Robertson noticed County defender Alex Iacoviti tackled contained in the penalty space, Giacomakis despatched Laidlaw the fallacious method with a penalty to say one other ball within the match.
There was a bonus for Hobbs followers within the 73rd minute when midfielder David Turnbull got here off the bench after three months with out a hamstring tear, and County was determined to keep away from additional punishment.
What then?
Celtic exterior Rangers Stadium after the April 3 worldwide break. Ross County Hearts hosts the day earlier than, on April 2.
