Ross County seal share of spoils at Celtic Park
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
ROSS County earned an impressive 1-1 draw away to under-pressure champions-elect Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership today (Sunday).
Leigh Griffiths fired the leaders in front midway through the first half, but Stewart Murdoch's long-range reply earned the Staggies an equaliser.
There was a huge focus on the league leaders and current champions after it was announced during the week that manager Ronny Delia is leaving the club this summer.
That follows the Scottish Cup penalty shoot-out defeat a week ago against Old Firm rivals, and Championship winners, Rangers, which many Hoops fans saw was a loss too far in a less than convincing season.
One of their most damaging results came against County in the League Cup semi-final in January as the Staggies stormed back from a goal down against their 10-man opponents to win 3-1 at Hampden.
Celtic had beaten County three times in the league this season and, despite the pressure on them to now clinch the title in some style, their last loss in the Premiership was back in February at Aberdeen.
The hosts kicked off the day eight points clear of second-placed Aberdeen, who lost 3-0 to St Johnstone on Friday night.
The Dingwall side are targeting a club record highest fourth-placed finish after edging back into the top six a fortnight ago with a 1-0 win against Partick Thistle.
A crazy 5-3 defeat at Dundee just before that knocked them out of the upper half for the first time this season, so they were grateful and relieved to move back against the Dark Blues, who slipped up against Hamilton.
County captain Andrew Davies and midfielder Martin Woods were suspended for this one, while Richard Foster missed out altogether. Dropping to the bench were striker Brian Graham and defender Chris McLaughlin.
Celtic's changes from that Old Firm clash were Erik Sviachenko replacing Dedryck Boyata, Colin Kazim-Richards in for Gary Mackay-Steven, who was a substitute and Tomas Rogic taking the place of Stefan Johansen.
With no Foster, in the side, County began with three at the back and Michael Gardyne was covering at left-back and Jonathan Franks on the right when required.
An early chance for the Hoops main striker Leigh Griffiths flashed over the top before the Staggies soon settled into the contest, venturing forward when they could.
The deadlock, however, was broken for the champions-elect on 23 minutes and it came from a move which seemed to lack spark.
Kazim-Richards fed the ball into Griffiths and the deadly front-man rifled a shot high into the net past Scott Fox from distance for his 38 of the season.
County tried to respond swiftly and an Ian McShane free-kick into the box hit off Boyce before running out of play.
Rogic could have then given Celtic a two-goal advantage, but swipped a close-range shot over the top after a fine cut-back from Patrick Roberts.
Fox had to be alert on 34 minutes when he got down smartly to push clear a Nir Bitton drive from 25 yaards. The follow-up corner came to nothing for Celtic.
The Dingwall side then enjoyed some decent time in the final third and McShane came closest to troubling the hosts when his low drive was on target, but gathered by keeper Craig Gordon.
Then Franks, who recovered well from a slip, then whipped the ball into the box just before half-time, but Liam Boyce was denied by Gordon.
County were almost level within minutes of the restart when another Franks delivery was helped on by Boyce and Gardyne, from 12 yards out, volleyed over Gordon's crossbar. It was a decent chance, but the signs were good for Jim McIntyre's men.
Celtic then drew a save from Fox at the other end when a Griffiths free-kick from fully 30 yards was on target, but without the menance to count.
Just on the hour mark, County had another terrific chance to level when a great ball from Irvine set Alex Schalk on the run and he cracked a fine effort just over the crossbar after cutting inside.
Griffiths and Roberts tested Fox as Celtic pressed for a second, but the keeper gathered those efforts without too much fuss.
County's confidence was always evident though and it was 1-1 on 64 minutes when Stewart Murdoch guided a 30-yarder high past Gordon into the roof of the net after a corner was not dealt with. It was just what they deserved.
Substitute David Goodwillie could have fired County in front on 71 minutes, but his effort finished just wide from another Franks cross.
Kazim-Richards then looked to have clinched the points for the Hoops when he found space in the box to shoot, but his drive swerved inches past the right post.
Paul Quinn, who has twice scored against Celtic this season, for Aberdeen and County, came close to steering the ball into the net as another dangerous cross caused panic but the hosts survived.
Ronny Deila then, backed by massive cheers from the frustrated home fans, brought on Kris Commons, with the striker replacing Kazim-Richards with nine minutes to go.
However, it was County who had the best of the closing stages and they walked off with pride at the end after this superb performances.
County are back in action next Saturday when they host St Johnstone, a side they are firmly battling it out with over the closing weeks for a fourth-placed finish.
Celtic could win the title next weekend at Hearts if Aberdeen fail to beat Motherwell at Pittodrie.
Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Mulgrew (Ambrose 90), Tierney, Brown, Bitton, Roberts, Rogic (McGregor 64), Kazim-Richards (Commons 81), Griffiths. Subs not used: Bailly (GK), Armstrong, Christie, Mackay-Steven.
Ross County: Fox, Fraser, Robertson, Gardyne, McShane, Boyce (Goodwillie 60), Franks (De Vita 78), Murdoch, Schalk (Graham 90), Irvine, Quinn. Subs not used: Woods (GK), Boyd, Dingwall, McLaughlin.
Referee: Don Robertson.
