Hibernian boss Neil Lennon said facing all-conquering Celtic next weekend is a "free hit" after seeing his side move into fourth spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 1-0 win at Ross County.

The former Celtic skipper watched part of the Old Firm's lunchtime kick-off, which his old team won 2-0 at Ibrox, before overseeing a Hibs victory against County courtesy of an early goal from Paul Hanlon.

With a trip to defending champions and current league leaders Celtic next up, Lennon said: "From what I seen before our game, Celtic looked very impressive.

"When they turn it on they can really damage you and can score from various positions. No matter what way you set up they can still find a way to beat you.

"It's a free hit for us. I don't know what way we will play yet. If we sit in and lose 1-0 or 2-0 I will be raging or if we have a go at them and lose 5-0 I will also be raging. If I win, you won't see me for a month."

Lennon was pleased with the efforts of striker Anthony Stokes, who did everything but score against County, with a Scott Fox save from a free-kick perhaps the closest he came to adding to Hanlon's goal.

The Hibs boss said: "I was disappointed with the chance where Anthony cut inside. For him, that was a golden opportunity. He hit it straight down at him.

"His free-kick was spectacular. Without him having a great game he's had four pops at goal, which on another day could have gone in."

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre, meanwhile, praised goalkeeper Fox, who came back in from his costly error against Rangers to put in a man of the match display.

He said: "Scott is such a good Premier League goalkeeper. His high-profile mistake was what it was but we took him out of the firing line and put him back in and he showed his quality.

"It was also great news for Scott and (his wife) Charlotte that he became a father to a wee girl. He could be proud of his day's work."

County's loss was their fifth in seven league games this season and left them 10th in the table.

McIntyre, though, is confident enough that his players are still showing enough qualities in games, but not getting the rub of the green.

He said: "We asked the players to keep being brave and keep trying to take the game to Hibs.

"We know Hibs are a good side and they have players who have a lot of pace up there with Simon Murray and Martin Boyle, which leaves space for Anthony Stokes, but we handled that quite well.

"When we needed Foxy, he made some great saves, but equally so did their keeper, Ross Laidlaw."