Sport

Celtic go 16 points clear in SPL, boss Brendan Rodgers hails outstanding team performance

Celtic's Scott Sinclair is tackled by Ross County's Marcus Fraser during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park 
Celtic's Scott Sinclair is tackled by Ross County's Marcus Fraser during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park  Celtic's Scott Sinclair is tackled by Ross County's Marcus Fraser during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park 

BRENDAN Rodgers admitted he cannot demand any more from his Celtic side after they moved 16 points clear of Rangers with a 2-0 win over Ross County.

First-half goals from defender Erik Sviatchenko and midfielder Stuart Armstrong took the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders past the Staggies at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

The victory extended the Hoops' winning run of league games to 14 and their unbeaten domestic run of matches to 23.

Celtic travel to Ibrox on Hogmanay for the last of nine fixtures in what has been a punishing December with a game in hand over their Old Firm rivals.

Rodgers said "It is recognising the players are worthy of being 16 points ahead.

"Their quality and mentality going into the games with real focus, and I thought we played well last night.

"My only complaint, and I said that to them, was we have to be better in the last ten minutes of the game.

"Apart from that it was yet again an outstanding team performance.

"That's eight games this month, seven wins and a draw in the Champions League (against Manchester City), and you cannot ask any more of the team."

The former Swansea City and Liverpool boss believes there will be "huge pressure" on the Light Blues, who drew 1-1 with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night, to get a result in Govan.

Celtic's Stuart Armstrong celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match against Ross County at Celtic Park 
Celtic's Stuart Armstrong celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match against Ross County at Celtic Park  Celtic's Stuart Armstrong celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match against Ross County at Celtic Park 

Rodgers, who revealed missing midfielder Tom Rogic will not recover from his ankle injury for the Rangers game, said: "It will be a battle. There is no doubt about that. It will be a tough game.

"There is huge pressure on them to get the result at home.

"For us, we have played in big games under pressure this season and dealt well with it, stayed calm and got the result.

"We know it will be tough and it's a game we are looking forward to. It finishes off a remarkable first half of the season for us. And we aim to go there and win."