Celtic vs Ross County – LIVE updates

Brendan Rodgers rotated his Celtic squad – and sent Ross County reeling in a relentless 5-0 rout to go five points clear at the top of the Premiership.

The Hoops boss made six changes to his team from Wednesday’s Champions League draw with Club Brugge.And FOUR of them notched before half-time as Celts raced to a 5-0 lead to bury the Highlanders before the break. Replacements Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah were all on target before Callum McGregor slammed in his sixth goal of the season – all from outside the box.

Mercifully for the visitors, the onslaught eased after the interval with County sub keeper Jack Hamilton keeping the score down with a succession of stunning saves. Celts were frustrated at not adding to the scoreline but delighted to put daylight between themselves and the Dons – and open up a massive 14 point gap on rivals Rangers. There was never any doubt here.

READ MORE: Relentless Celtic jump all over Ross County as Luke McCowan asks Rodgers the dream question – 5 talking points

It was utter dominance as five-star Celtic run riot to move five points clear of Aberdeen at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.

Scales, McCowan, Bernardo, McGregor and Idah netted before the half time orange juice but the chances flowed from first minute to last.

Ross County showed guts in the second half but the class was from the home team.

Idah has been unlucky not to add to his goal.

They are hoping that is time up but there is five minutes plus added time to go.

County are saved by the frame of the goal as Ralston nearly got in on the act.

And fans would love the chance to celebrate one more goal before the final whistle.

The Japan pass master has been pulling the strings since he came on.

Cowie is desperate for this to be over, as his players

Hatate is coming on but the applause for the midfielder was prounounced.

What a signing, by any metric. This isn't a fan in a kit, this is a £1m bargain who breaks the lines with his superior passing range.

Idah is the latest to benefit from a team-mate with x-ray vision when it comes to releasing his pals into dangerous positions.

McGregor and Johnston head off and are replaced by Ralston and Engels.

Celtic have options aplenty with Wednesday's midweek visit to Pittodrie looming into view.

Celtic are fast and dangerous in the final third and Idah is causing mayhem.

It comes after the champions cracked the bar, they are seeking the joy of six here and will not be denied.

Rodgers could look to the bench again.

It feels likely.

If you were being cruel, a cynic would say that wouldn't be hard, however, Celtic are finding it harder to break the lines.

That may well be due to the five-goal buffer but the Highlanders must devour any morsel of hope.

The Barcelona loanee has been brilliant today and gives Celtic something different.

Taylor's impact is often undervalued, with his ability to invert, but Valle has the ammo to go up and down the wing all day long.

A combo which worked well in the second half of last season and both are trying to link up here.

And the champions retain the same mindset - they want goals.

As Yang replaces Maeda for the second half

Dominance, utter dominance.

Scales, McCowan, Bernardo, McGregor and Idah all netted in a first half beatdown.

Cowie cannot believe the pasting Celtic have put on them.

The County keeper is in agony and is heading up the tunnel.

40 Premiership goals and not even December

Maeda had Ross County giddy when he was feeling his own hammy but it has been all energy since then.

Valle's shot is spiilled and the human version of the energizer bunny chases it down and almost finds Idah with his cutback.

This is utter dominance.

Idah is next to score and it is a fantastic finish...AGAIN!

And the DJ fires on Hawaii Five-0 - and it's not often that is played before the half time whistle.

This is a disaster for the Staggies boss, he might have hoped to come to Glasgow and escape with a narrow defeat, this is teed up to be a tonking, an utter beatdown unless County wise up.

This is an utter pasting.

McGregor with a stunner from distance and Laidlaw is left in agony.

And it is getting worse

Maeda was denied seconds earlier but he wasn't to be with his second cutback.

Bernardo, the best player on the pitch so far, is full of vigour and was on hand to deliver a Petrov-esque finish from a midfielder arriving into the box.

The champions deserve kudos for the tempo and intent of their work.

They want to win and win well, that appears to be paying off.

Campbell manfully tried to block McCowan's effort but he could only turn it beyond the helpless Laidlaw in the County goal.

Scales goes from scorer to goal maker as McCowan, who teed his pal up for the first, gets in on the act.

Maeda is hauled down but, in fairness, a more physical approach is needed.

And that get up and go mindset is on display as McGregor is harangued before coughing up the ball which leads to a big chance for the Staggies.

The boss demanded a speed and tempo before kick-off and he is getting it, however, he doesn't want the pace to slow.

Rodgers is prowling the touchline and urging his wide men forward.

Cowie spins away in disgust on the touchline as the Staggies make an utter mess of their diagonal cross.

County need better, so much better, than that to compete against the champions.

You can call it any name you want but Celtic are the master of smashing defensive walls.

Now Don Cowie will have to stand tall amid the rubble as his game plan crumbles at Celtic Park.