ANGE POSTECOGLOU has insisted that last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers has had no bearing on the title race as Celtic secured a 2-0 win against Ross County.

Kyogo Furuhashi, making his first start since Boxing Day, opened the scoring in the first half as he steered home Jota's cross with a well-timed header.

The Portuguese then added a second late on as he reacted fastest in the area to prod the ball home and secure an important three points for his side.

Postecoglou was pleased to see his team restore their six-point advantage over Rangers ahead of next Sunday's derby at Parkhead but he bristled at the notion that last week's defeat at Hampden interrupted his side's momentum in the Premiership.

“We have never lost the league momentum," Postecoglou told Sky Sports. "We lost a cup semi-final in extra-time.

“We have been very good for a very long time and that’s why we sit where we sit.

“From our perspective, it wasn’t about a reaction from us. We were disappointed but it didn’t really affect anything that happened in the league.

“What’s important for us is that we continue our good form.”

Postecoglou hailed the victory as a team performance but the Greek-Australian said he was pleased to see Furuhashi and Jota get their names on the scoresheet after struggling with injuries.

“It was great [to see Kyogo score]," he said. "He has missed a big chunk of the season and he’s a helluva player.

“We have done well without him but now it is great to have him back.

“He’s still not 100 per cent sharp. He probably would have had two or three today in his best form but it was great for him to get a goal as his reward.

“[Jota] was good today. He is another player who had a great start to the season and got an injury.

“We have a few of those players that their momentum was interrupted and it takes some time for them to get back. It’s only natural.

“But he has been working hard and today, team-wise, I thought he was excellent. I thought he worked really hard and was a good link for us.

“More importantly, in that final third he looked dangerous.”

Postecoglou added: “It was a strong performance. We know it’s a difficult place to come and play and they’re a hard team to break down.

“We probably should have put them away in the first half to be fair. We had opportunities but we put in a strong performance and that’s what we needed today.

“I thought the boys did well. We were solid defensively because they’ve got some threats.

“Every chance they get they’ll throw it in the box. Whether it’s a throw-in, a free-kick. They’ve got some big boys and we had to deal with that.

“I think we handled it really well today. It’s not an easy place to come, you just have to look at their record at home.

“To do it the way we did today was pleasing.”