Ross County headed into their opening league fixture at Hearts in high spirits after claiming victory in each of their four Scottish League Cup group-stage matches earlier in July.
The Staggies beat Buckie Thistle, Dunfermline and Alloa Athletic before securing an emphatic 7-0 win at home to East Fife, a result which helped to book their place in the next round as group winners.
However, Malky Mackay’s side were brought back down to earth at Tynecastle as they were beaten 2-1 away at Hearts last weekend.
Jordan White came off the bench to pull a goal back in the final 10 minutes after Alan Forrest and Barrie McKay had put the hosts two goals in front, but the visitors were unable to score an equaliser.
Ross County, who finished sixth in the Premiership last season, may struggle to return to winning ways on Saturday as they have won only one of their last 27 top-flight matches against reigning champions Celtic.
After enjoying an unbeaten pre-season over the summer, winning three and drawing three of their six friendlies, Celtic kicked off the new campaign with a routine 2-0 victory at home to Aberdeen last weekend.
In front of a party atmosphere at Celtic Park, Stephenq Welsh headed the Hoops in front after just three minutes, before Jota – who joined the club permanently over the summer – added a second in the 75th minute with a brilliant 25-yard strike into the top-left corner.
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Celtic Park was a fortress last season as the Hoops went through the entire 2021-22 campaign unbeaten on home soil, but Ange Postecoglou’s side dropped points in six league games on the road and will be keen to avoid another slip-up on Saturday.
Since suffering a 1-0 defeat in Dingwall against Ross County in February last year, Celtic have won each of their last four meetings against them, scoring at least twice on each occasion.
Postecoglou is sure to use this encounter as preparation for another trip to the Global Energy Stadium later this month, when both sides lock horns in the Scottish League Cup.
