It is becoming the time of year when Celtic supporters tend to reach for the calculator.

Varying numerical permutations will determine just how quickly their seventh successive title can be won – as early as next Sunday afternoon against Hamilton Accies but only if Rangers and Aberdeen drop sufficient points between now and then – but there was no requirement of mathematical ability required to see that it is adding up for Brendan Rodgers’ side at the minute.

With a League Cup banked and a title all but a formality, Celtic could potentially be only five wins away from completing a first-ever double treble.

Stuart Armstrong made his first start since undergoing a hernia operation in January while one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon was reserved for Leigh Griffiths crossing the threshold back onto the pitch following his two-month absence.

The Scotland internationalist has spent the last couple of months seeking specialist advice in an attempt to overcome his perennial calf issues and his return for the run in will be welcome as Celtic chase a double treble.

Even before Griffiths’ arrival on Saturday afternoon, Celtic supporters had reason for sufficient cheer. There was a zest and energy, a tempo about their opening 45 minutes against Ross County that was akin to the manner in which they went about their business last term.

As they approach a month that could be definitive in whether or not they are successful in their quest to mark another chapter into Scottish football history, the main colour of the day was provided by the boot of Andrew Davies.

With Celtic captain Scott Brown already decked by a foul from Billy McKay, Davies saw fit to aim a stamp at the exposed player’s groin. Two things were apparent in the immediate aftermath; the relatively mild-mannered Armstrong reacted with genuine anger for probably the first time in his Celtic career as he chased the aggressor, while Davies himself did not bother to appeal his case but rather accepted his fate.

Bizarrely, it was the third red card given against Celtic in their last five games all for incidents involving their captain. Coincidentally or not, Brown has been the Parkhead side’s most significant player this season as he has orchestrated proceedings from his position in the middle of the park.

Certainly, there was no mistaking the ire felt by Rodgers in the wake of the foul on his captain as insisted that there are opposition teams targeting his player in a bid to make a name for themselves.

"Jozo Simunovic gets two games (ban) for a slight elbow (against Rangers at Ibrox) I don't know what that will be,” said Rodgers. “There's one or two maybe trying to make a name for themselves by obvioiusly trying to put those sort of tackles in.

“But he's unique – he's absolutely brilliant for us. He eventually got up and got on with the game and controlled it.

“There is no doubt the challenge on him was disgraceful.

“We’ve seen a lot of challenges where there’s question marks over them, but that there today was one of the worst I’ve seen since I’ve been up here.”

On Saturday, it was questionable whether either Davies dismissal or the back spasm injury suffered by County keeper Aaron McCarey had any real impact on an afternoon when Celtic looked to be spoiling for dishing out a comprehensive win from the opening stages.

Armstrong looked far more like the player he was in the latter half of the last campaign while Scott Sinclair too had a swagger about his play that hasn’t always been evident this term.

It was the winger who was the architect as Celtic drew first blood, when he was simply too quick for Ross County defender Jason Naismith. As Sinclair twisted and turned in the box, Naismith kicked the legs away from the winger, who used the match programme to deny recent speculation suggesting he is unhappy at the club.

Maintaining that his sights are on ‘ten-in-a-row.’ Sinclair further endeared himself by virtue of his performance that was far more in keeping with what the Celtic fans saw last year.

Moussa Dembele dispatched the subsequent penalty with ease and even at that stage, with just 25 minutes on the clock, there seemed to be no way back for the Highlanders.

“I thought we were back today to what we were last year,” observed Rodgers after the game. “There were lots of threats on goal, speed and penetration. Very importantly we had a hunger to get the ball back and that got us our second goal.”

That was provided by Armstrong whose effusive celebrations suggested just how hungry he is going into the final stretch. A third was added by Australian midfielder Tom Rogic before Griffiths swapped places with Dembele.

Patrick Roberts, too, came on for a cameo appearance and the return of that strength in depth will auger well for Celtic as they prepare for the real focal point now of the campaign.

Rodgers’ side will host Dundee at Celtic Park on Wednesday night, a fixture that was previously put paid too because the heavy snowfall. It offers the opportunity to take another step towards a little bit of history.