By Ethan Barlow

Celtic ground out the victory against a struggling Ross County (Image: Getty Images)

Celtic extended their winning run to six games, but the team’s display left many fans unimpressed. Celtic have now won every match since their 2-0 loss at home to Hearts halfway through December, but the same problems from then seem to be creeping back into the Hoops game.

The full-time whistle perfectly summed up the feelings of the Celtic fans, when a few boos rang around the stadium presumably aimed in the board’s direction, where they are still yet to add to the signing of Nicolas Kuhn which has left many fans angered by the club’s ambitions.

Alistair Johnston’s deflected first minute strike proved to be the only goal of the game despite Luis Palma having two penalty attempts which were both saved by George Wickens. Although Celtic weren’t impressive, they still had enough chances to kill off the Dingwall side, but they didn’t, and it nearly came back to bite them when it looked as if Josh Sims may get an equaliser at the death.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Celtic’s win:

Celtic need more signings this window

Nicolas Kuhn is the only signing Celtic have made this January (Image: Getty Images)

Despite being in a good vein of form, it’s clear that Celtic need to strengthen in a few areas before the window shuts on Wednesday. Celtic have been rather unimpressive in the majority of games this season and the win over Rangers at the end of the year has maybe made some forget that, including the board.

If it wasn’t clear that Celtic needed a left-back in this window, Greg Taylor being sidelined for a few weeks certainly does. Taylor has been a solid signing for Celtic and probably one of the most consistent performers this season, but his lack of competition for the place is concerning. Alexandro Bernabei was given the chance in the place of Taylor, but he didn’t offer Celtic much more than fans have got used to seeing from the Argentine. When he was signed, he was expected to compete directly with Taylor for the left-back position, but that has never happened. Apparently Celtic have accelerated their search for a left-sided defender, but it could be too late.

Another position Celtic are crying out for, is a striker. Kyogo has been pretty underwhelming this season for his immaculate standards he’s set for himself at the club. Although Kyogo is of course, more than good enough for Celtic, again the club suffers from a lack of competition in this position. Georgios Giakoumakis offered great competition to him, and even had some fans wanting him to start over the Japanese international, but he has never really been replaced since he left the club for the MLS. Players like Hyun-Gyu Oh (22) and Rocco Vata (18) are project players and can’t be expected to compete with Kyogo for a starting position. Celtic have been linked with a few strikers this window, including Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski, Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland, Brøndby’s Mathias Kvistgaarden and Bologna’s Sydney van Hooijdonk, son of former Celt Pierre.

Celtic aren’t getting the best out of Kyogo

Kyogo only has eight league goals this season (Image: Getty Images

A major topic of Celtic’s style of play since the reappointment of Brendan Rodgers, has been Kyogo’s involvement. Kyogo appeared in 36 of Celtic’s 38 Scottish Premiership matches last season, starting 31 of them and scoring 27 goals. This season he has appeared in all 23 of Celtic’s Premiership matches, starting 20 of them and has only scored eight goals. Kyogo was the most lethal striker in the country over the last two seasons, scoring more than any other player in that period despite being injured for large parts of his first season in Scotland.

Comparing his stats from this season and last season: Kyogo has made up 69% of his total league minutes from last season, 67% of his total shots from last season, 45% of his shots on target, 54% of his number of expected goals and 80% of his touches. A criticism of Rodgers’ management of Celtic’s number eight, was him dropping deep to get touches, but then not being in the positions to get on the end of crosses which he made a trademark of his game. Despite his stats all looking on track, Kyogo has only scored 30% of his goals from last season. His eight league goals see him behind players like, James Tavernier, Bojan Miovski, Matt O’Riley, Abdallah Sima, Lawrence Shankland and level with Cyriel Dessers. If Celtic can get Kyogo on form, it could very well be the difference in the title race.

Celtic still struggle from the penalty spot

George Wickens saved both penalties from Luis Palma (Image: Getty Images)

You would think a penalty would be an advantage, but for Celtic fans that is sometimes made very difficult to believe. Luis Palma’s first penalty was saved by George Wickens, but after a VAR check, the English goalkeeper was found to be encroaching. Palma stepped up again and we witnessed the exact same outcome.

Celtic haven’t had a recognised penalty-taker for years and it has led to crucial penalties being missed in the past. This season Celtic have been awarded 10 penalties (the league’s most) and have missed four of them, five if you're including both of Palma’s attempts. Palma has missed two this season and it will be interesting to see if the Honduran international is still given the responsibility, or if Rodgers will give someone else a chance from 12-yards.

Celtic 1-0 Ross County: Three things we learned