Matt O’Riley said “strange decisions” cannot stop Celtic after they rallied from a controversial penalty to defeat Ross County and stretch their Scottish Premiership lead to nine points.

The response was swift and emphatic as David Turnbull slotted home before Sead Haksabanovic completed the turnaround.

Ange Postecoglou’s men sign off for the month-long hiatus with an eighth-straight league victory, while County stay 10th after their run of back-to-back wins was halted.

Celtic have now conceded four penalties in their last four games, with Callum Johnson striking the ball against O’Riley’s hand at close range to earn the spot-kick from which Cancola sent Joe Hart the wrong way.

“I don’t really know what I could have done,” midfielder O’Riley told Celtic TV. “My hands were by my side.

“I don’t know if the ball hit my arm first or my hip and then my arm, but I don’t know where else I can put my arm.

“We have had some strange decisions go against us recently to say the least but they still can’t stop us.”

Rangers’ stumble heightened expectation among the Celtic support, but the buoyant pre-match mood had turned to frustration by the break as County efficiently stymied the hosts’ attacking threat.

Kyogo flicked a header narrowly over and shot wide when clean through, but it took County’s shock opener for Celtic to summon a sense of urgency.

After Turnbull was denied when Ross Laidlaw superbly clawed his curling strike from the top corner, two goals in a six-minute spell dispelled County’s hopes of a first-ever league win at Celtic Park.

The equaliser was all about Reo Hatate as the Japan midfielder danced past three players and teed up a tap-in for Turnbull.

Haksabanovic then found a terrific winner, playing a one-two with Hatate on the left edge of the box and squeezing a low, curling finish just inside the far past as Celtic Park erupted.

Substitute Giorgos Giakoumakis might have made the margin of victory more comfortable, with Laidlaw impressively thwarting the Greek.

But Celtic head to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup on a high after what could prove a pivotal day in the title race.

Player of the match – Reo Hatate

Spot-kick controversy spurs Celtic – analysis

Celtic were lacking a spark until the contentious handball decision spurred them to life. The hosts had mustered just one shot on target before the interval and were frustrated by County’s low block and defensive diligence.

Once they fell behind, though, Celtic looked a team transformed and fed off the crowd’s frenzied promptings. While Celtic have won plenty of games this season with their quality, this one was notable for their strength of character in turning the game around.

County’s league record at Celtic Park now stretches to 16 fruitless visits, but the visitors can be proud of their performance.

Malky Mackay’s men expertly frustrated Celtic in the first half, with the midfield shielding a well-drilled defence. Having seen their lead quickly wiped out, though, Mackay will be disappointed his side failed to threaten an equaliser when they went for broke in the final stages.

Still, having risen out of the bottom two in recent weeks, County have reason for optimism heading into the break.

What did they say?

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “It was a big win and a strong performance. I can’t speak highly enough about this group of players.

“Whatever challenge has been thrown at us in the league, we’ve been outstanding. You don’t sense panic at any stage with us. We have some quality players but really strong characters too.”

Ross County manager Malky Mackay: “Disappointed obviously, but very proud of the team in the way they played and tactical discipline they showed to match Celtic.

“Celtic eventually got a couple of goals but they didn’t have many chances against us.”