It is the kind of routine domestic result that has inoculated Celtic against too much disquiet in the face of their European results this term.

Ross County enabled them to return to the comfort blanket of league football where, once more this season, they found all to be well with the world following a straightforward 4-1 victory.

Tom Rogic will jet out on international business with Australia on the back of another goal while Leigh Griffiths took his tally to 18 for the season. Nir Bitton added a fine header to seal what was a routine showing in the SPFL.

The Dingwall side’s polite probing aside, the only real level of discomfort for Ronny Deila’s side was the chill rain which fell throughout a dreich November afternoon in the Highlands.

Yet, still that soft centre continues to gnaw at the psyche of this team like a persistent toothache.

For all that Celtic can be relied upon to score, the issue of consistently maintaining a clean sheet has proved elusive.

Midway through the second period with the score at 3-1 Craig Gordon was called upon to produce an impressive stop from substitute Alex Schalk that would have made life difficult for the visitors.

As it was, Nir Bitton went up the park shortly afterwards to head a Stuart Armstrong corner into the net and restore Celtic’s three-goal advantage and subsequently lower the blood pressure of his manager.

Ronny Deila was a sedate figure for much of the 90 minutes as he hugged the touchline, hands deep in pockets, but neither he nor John Kennedy could contain their irritation when 20-year-old Tony Dingwall was allowed to find a way through the Celtic defence and unnerve Celtic by pulling a goal back.

It has been the wrecking ball of the season, this inability to stay strong defensively. While it has not impacted hugely domestically, it has been a source of increasing consternation in the Europa League where any good work that Celtic have enjoyed offensively has been lost amidst the chaos of the backline.

In that respect, Deila is right when he laments the injury situation he has been dealt with this season.

This break now for international duty will enable a clutch of his players to take a breather in the treatment room.

James Forrest put it in a strong display but with minutes of this game remaining had to hobble up the tunnel with a late bout of cramp.

Forrest has hinted at a return to something of his best in only sporadic bursts this term but on his day he can spark some creativity into the team. Shortly after Celtic went 3 goals up, Forrest showed a flash of the kind of game-changing form of which he is capable with a twisting, elusive run that culminated with a shot which crept just wide of the post.

How Deila could do with the player in top form going into the penultimate two group games in the Europa League.

The current fitness levels of Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew will also warrant a keen eye this week. With Ajax due at Celtic Park at the end of this month – a game for which Nir Bitton, who turned in yet another fine display in the Highlands yesterday afternoon will be suspended – along with Stefan Johansen, Deila could desperately do with the leadership and experience of both players.

Similarly, Jozo Simunovic missed this game after taking a kick just minutes into Thursday’s game and the Croatian’s regular involvement is the consistency that Deila is crying out for.

Yet, while he might feel like a medical student so often as he charts the physical progress of his squad, the Norwegian might also want to shuffle in a comfy couch to his office and encourage some his players to unburden themselves.

Domestically Celtic are a force to be reckoned with, but making that transition from the SPFL to Europe is something that his players clearly need convincing of.

For the moment, though, the Hoops boss was content to enjoy the welcome respite which the comfortable win provided.

Carlton Cole made the bench for the first time and while the striker did not make an appearance, Deila was pleased that he is slowly getting towards full fitness. With Griffiths in the kind of form he is – the striker’s brace takes him to 13 in the league alone this term – the striker might have to wait a while for a start.

Ditto Scott Allan. The midfielder also made the match squad without muddying his boots and it is interesting to see if he gets a chance to show what the fuss was about this summer.