Leigh Griffiths came off the bench to stretch Celtic’s current unbeaten run to 64 games after a sumptuous free-kick against Ross County.

With just 12 minutes of regulation time remaining and a tousy game at a stalemate, it was Griffiths who arched a free-kick beyond the reach of Aaron McCarey to give Celtic all three points.

It was the first time since his brace against England at Hampden that Griffiths has found the net with a free-kick.

It was a strong side that took to the field in a chilly but sunny Dingwall with Mikael Lustig back in at right-back following his exuberant World Cup qualification celebrations.

There was no place for Tom Rogic who faced an extensive travelling schedule back from Australia, who also completed their qualification for Russia next summer.

In an non-event of an opening half, the only real talking points were the attempt that Davis Keillor-Dunn curled over the bar and a penalty that ought to have been given after Callum McGregor was fouled.

Ross County defender Christopher Routis kicked away McGregor’s right foot just as he went to take a shot with his left. It was a clear infringement but missed by referee Nick Walsh.

If the opening half was a tepid affair, Celtic looked to make immediate amends after the restart.

A McGregor corner was met by Lustig but the Swede’s effort ruffled the side netting.

Moussa Dembele and Kieran Tierney – making his 100th senior appearance for Celtic – linked well but Ross County managed to clear the pacey cross.

Stuart Armstrong, too, tried his luck with a long raking effort after forcing his way through County but his effort took a deflection.

Just after the hour mark Scott Brown exchanged passes with Lustig before drilling an effort from 25 yards but it blazed over the bar.

Rodgers responded shorty after by ringing the changes; on came Griffiths and Jonny Hayes and off went McGregor and James Forrest.

It was Griffiths who sealed the breakthrough with a deft 25-yard free-kick. Jim O’Brien had a kick at Armstrong which earned him a booking but far more consequential was the penalty exacted by Griffiths.

The Celtic striker took his time before lifting the ball over the wall and into the net to give the Parkhead side a lead they had toiled to find.

Olivier Ntcham, who took over from Dembele in the immediate aftermath of the goal, grazed the post with an effort as Celtic took control of the game going into the final stages.