Matthew Lindsay

NEIL Lennon last night hailed the 6-0 defeat of Ross County that sent Celtic back to the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership as the most complete performance of both his spells as Parkhead manager.

Doubles from Odsonne Edouard and Mohamed Elyounoussi and goals from Callum McGregor and James Forrest saw the Scottish champions romp to an emphatic home win.

The triumph sent the treble treble winners a point ahead of their city rivals Rangers – who take on Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon - at the top of the league table.

Asked if he had been pleased with how Celtic had performed, he said: “That’s an understatement. I thought it was probably the most complete display in my second spell and maybe amongst the best in my time here over the two spells.

“I thought we were brilliant first half and very unfortunate not to have more goals. Ross Laidlaw (the County keeper) had a great game. We played some spectacular football – it was exhilarating, there was athleticism, an appetite and an intensity to win the game.

“Then we threw down the challenge at half-time – we can be a nice team and play good football and give the other team oxygen to stay in the game or be ruthless.

“They answered in spades. We have good team and there’s more to come from them. That was a marvellous team performance all round. I don’t know how they picked Man of Match.”

Celtic play Italian club Lazio at Parkhead in the Europa League on Thursday evening and Lennon is hoping he will have Olivier Ntcham, who suffered an ankle injury in training last week, available . “Olivier rolled his ankle on Thursday,” he said. “But he had a scan yesterday and we’re hoping he should be okay.”