Turnbull shines as Rodgers' Celtic start with win

Kyogo Furuhashi - the Premiership's top scorer last season - opened his account for the new campaign to put Celtic 2-0 up

David Turnbull emerged from the shadows to inspire champions Celtic as Brendan Rodgers' second tenure began with a season-opening Scottish Premiership victory over Ross County.

Jordan White looped in a header to reduce the deficit, but Matt O'Riley smashed Celtic's fourth to ensure a winning start for Rodgers before James Brown replied for County with the last kick.

There was no sign of hostility at Celtic Park towards manager Rodgers, whose return in June met resistance from some supporters because of his abrupt departure to Leicester City four years ago.

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The stadium was a riot of noise and colour as the title flag was hoisted by long-serving winger James Forrest pre-match amid an ebullient atmosphere for the season opener.

Maik Nawrocki, the Polish centre-back signed from Legia Warsaw this summer, made his Celtic debut in place of Carl Starfelt, who Rodgers confirmed may be on his way out of the club.

"He's a player we'd to keep but if he doesn't want to be here, we have to close the deal," said Rodgers. "That's something that'll develop next week. If you lose someone of his quality, you need to replace that."

Celtic's defence was quickly under pressure as County - who survived relegation with a miraculous comeback in last season's play-off final - came tearing at them.

Malky Mackay's men harried Celtic and were the better side early on. Yet they still found themselves effectively dead and buried by half-time.

Simon Murray twice went close for the visitors and they were screaming for a penalty when Joe Hart tangled with the striker after struggling to deal with an awkward Anthony Ralston backpass.

Having weathered the storm, Celtic began to click through the gears and Turnbull was the driving force.

The 24-year-old slotted the opener from the penalty spot, after Greg Taylor was tripped by Josh Sims, and was key to the second goal with a deft header that sent Liel Abada bursting clear down the right to cross for Kyogo to finish first time.

Turnbull might have had a first-half hat-trick and Ross Laidlaw's double save kept him out before he added his second with a half-volley from Matt O'Riley's cross to the back post.

County weren't going quietly, though, and White met Yan Dhanda's corner to send a dipping header just inside the post.

Celtic responded with verve and a delicious flick from Kyogo set up O'Riley to lash in the fourth.

There was a debut for Yang Hyun-jun - another of Celtic's five new signings - off the bench and fellow substitute Forrest was denied a goal in his testimonial week by a smart Laidlaw save.

But County had the final say as Brown netted a strike that flew past Hart via a deflection off Starfelt, which could well be the defender's last act as a Celtic player.

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Turnbull was preferred in midfield to Reo Hatate, a talisman of Celtic's treble success last season, and justified Rodgers' faith with a performance that suggests he is ready to revive his stagnated Celtic career.

Rodgers' Celtic look an evolution rather then revolution of the relentless Postecoglou style. They pressed and attacked aggressively, while playing with more rotation in midfield.

Kyogo picked up where he left off last season and his danger when dropping deep was shown by Celtic's fourth. After the early stutters and the late concession, Rodgers will hope for more defensive cohesion in the coming weeks.

There was much to admire about County's early play. Rather than sit deep and await their fate, they started with Murray and White up front and pressed Celtic high.

Murray could count himself unfortunate to see a strike deflected wide, and another blocked by Carter-Vickers, but these are the type of opportunities that have to be put away against the champions.

Still, County's perseverance was rewarded with goals for White and Brown and there were signs of a promising campaign ahead for Mackay's men after last season's survival sweat.

What they said

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "First game there's always a wee bit of nerves, so it's good win for us. We didn't start the game well and County made it really difficult for us.

"Once we found our space and combinations we scored a couple of really good goals and played some fantastic football. The two goals we gave away are soft."

Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "I thought we started well. We get those chances in the first 15 minutes and should have scored. If it's an international team, Celtic are 2-0 down.

"Our shape and system were good, our discipline were good, and we give away a stupid penalty. Then we don't defend a cross in the last minute of the first half and next minute we are 3-0 down at half-time."

What's next?

Celtic visit Aberdeen in the Premiership next Sunday (12:00 BST), while County bid for their first points of the season at home to St Johnstone the previous day (15:00).