FOR a so-called free-kick specialist, Leigh Griffiths has enjoyed little success in that area of late. Indeed, the Celtic striker had failed to convert even one in the 25 competitive matches he played for both club and country after netting his famous dead ball brace for Scotland in the Russia 2018 qualifier against England at Hampden back in June. He chose an opportune moment, both for himself and for his team, to end his barren run.

Griffiths’s sublime left foot delivery, curled over the Ross County defensive wall, beyond goalkeeper Aaron McCarey and into the top right corner from fully 25 yards, with 12 minutes remaining secured the narrowest of wins for his side yesterday.

The strike, his 100th top flight goal of his career, also increased his chances of being involved in the Champions League meeting with Pars Saint-Germain in France on Wednesday night. Having been sidelined with his persistent calf problem, it was a timely reminder of just what he has to offer.

Moussa Dembele, who had scored five times in five matches before yesterday, struggled to make his presence felt up front. Despite his subdued display, he will probably find himself in the starting line-up in his homeland in midweek due to his greater physicality and impressive track record in European competition.

Still, his team mate, who took his tally for the 2017/18 campaign to 11 with his eye-catching winner, has certainly given his manager much to mull over in the coming days with his contribution after coming on for Callum McGregor midway through the second half.

“It is up to the manager who plays, but I have done myself no harm,” said Griffiths after helping Brendan Rodgers’s side extend their unbeaten domestic run to 64 games.

“It's a big game, but we've got a big week and I think the manager will take that into consideration. We’ve got a cup final at the end of the week so he’ll have difficult choices to make. Anyone who starts the game will have more than deserved it.”

The final outcome was harsh on County. Owen Coyle’s side played intelligently and competed tenaciously. They limited the visitors to just two shots on target in the entire 90 minutes without really threatening themselves. They were only beaten by a world-class goal.

"It’s hard to take,” said Coyle. “I certainly felt we deserved a point from the game given what we offered the match not only in our shape against the ball and our tactical discipline, but when we had our chance to get the ball and get at Celtic we did that.

“But Griffiths is a wonderful player. When you have that quality not even starting games that is why Celtic are a fantastic side and carrying all before them. That’s why they are performing the way they are at Champions League level against Anderlecht and Bayern Munich."

Still, Coyle feels the Highlanders can go forward with confidence after running their famous opponents so close. “You don’t ever want to lose games but I do know my players have given everything today,” he said. “We are not going to play Glasgow Celtic every week but we need to try and play to the same standard.

“We were terrific today and that’s what I have to concentrate on - our development and how we are getting better. When I came in we were more or less bottom of the league so we are going the right way."

The first half was, barring one contentious refereeing, eminently forgettable. McGregor should have put Celtic through after being supplied in the County area by Stuart Armstrong in the 24th minute. The midfielder did well to tee himself up for a shot at goal, but, just as he was about to unleash a shot, he was fouled by Christopher Routis. Match official Nick Walsh, though, allowed played to continue.

“We should’ve had a penalty,” said Rodgers. “I watched the video back. Callum normally finishes in those sort of positions, but just as he was about to shoot he was impeded and he fell over. That could’ve got us going a bit earlier.”

It took until Rodgers replaced McGregor with Griffiths and James Forrest with Jonny Hayes in the 65th minute for Celtic to edge in front of County. They did so after Jim O’Brien had brought down Armstrong. It was by no means the most impressive triumph which he has overseen since being appointed last year, but Rodgers was, given the circumstances the game was played in, satisfied afterwards.

“It was a brilliant, brilliant away win for us,” he said. “Everything that you put into the pot today – players coming back after travelling about and playing big important international games, like Mika (right back Mikael Lustig).

“Then you have the travelling up here, which is always a difficult place to come and the fact it was probably the coldest day since I’ve been in Scotland. That was fresh today. Then you consider Owen organising his team well, compact pitch, all these factors and you’ve still got to find a way.

“The pitch was difficult today. I thought the players coped with that remarkably well, still tried to play, still tried to create chances. The mentality of the team is to never leave any game earlier and to make sure we go with it until the very end. It was a great goal we scored in front of our own supporters who really cheered us on throughout.”