CALLUM McGregor put Celtic on their way to a 3-0 victory over Ross County with a first-half penalty awarded after Mikey Johnston had been fouled inside the area. The midfielder, who produced a characteristically impressive performance in the heart of the Hoops midfield, coolly slotted home the spot-kick with his left foot.

It was his eighth goal of the current campaign, but his first ever competitive penalty. And while he’ll relinquish the responsibility whenever Odsonne Edouard or Ryan Christie are on the pitch, the midfielder is happy to step up whenever he’s asked.

Speaking after the game, the 26-year-old midfielder said: “It was a vital point in the game because it was a bit sticky at that point, so it was important to get the first goal, but after half-time Odsonne came on and changed the game for us again. So overall, it was a good win.

“When they likes of Ryan and Odsonne aren’t playing, someone has to step up and take the penalty. It’s obviously not something that’s happened often at all but I was happy to do so, and I was just glad to score.”

McGregor also provided an assist, delivering a corner into the area for Edouard to slot home the first of his two goals. And the win makes it three wins out of three in 2020 for Neil Lennon’s side, giving them a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership table ahead of the completion of this weekend’s league card.

“I feel that it’s been a good start,” said McGregor. “There have been wee bits of rust in each of the performances, but it’s important to win these games. As I touched on before, we have to go on a run now, put the foot to the floor and get the victories. It was good to get a clean sheet today. It gives everybody confidence and we kick on again on Wednesday against St Johnstone.

“We scored from a corner against Kilmarnock and we scored from one again today, so that’s another bit of the game we can tidy up on and get more goals from, and it’s a vital part of the game.

“We’ve been doing really well over the last three or four years, and we need to remember that sometimes teams will get chances against us. It’s part of football, and it’s up to us to try and stop them and find a way through and get the first goal, which is always important in a game.

“It’s just important that we trust the system, we trust what we’re doing and the fans have been great in sticking with that, and we just all have to stay together.”

McGregor: I'm happy to be put on the spot whenever I'm asked