A dramatic last gasp goal from Kris Commons earned Celtic a point in their first ever SPL visit to Dingwall.
With all eyes on the clock Commons slotted the ball into the net after home keeper Michael Fraser had failed to hold a low drive from substitute Tony Watt.
A wonder goal from County skipper Richie Brittain in the 48th minute looked like giving the homeside full points but justice was done with virtually the last kick of the ball giving Celtic a point.
Within a minute of scoring Brittain chopped down Georgios Samaras in the penalty box but despite being just yards away referee Craig Thomson waved play on.
Neil Lennon opted to go with a 3-5-2 formation which saw Mikel Lustig, Kelvin Wilson and Charlie Mulgrew strung across the back with Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre pushed forward as wing-backs.
Joe Ledley, Victor Wanyama and Beram Kayal formed the core of the midfield pushing forward in support of Commons and Samaras.
The first chance of the match fell to Stuart Kettlewell who headed wide of goal from 8 yards out following a great cross from the left by Marc Fitzpatrick.
It took Celtic until the 24th minute to carve out their first clear cut chance with Fraser blocking a Commons shot after a cushioned Samaras header presented the former Defrby midfielder with a 1-on-1 chance in front of goal.
Eleven minutes later Commons was the creater when his corner from the left was headed onto the crossbar by Wanyama.
Neither side made any changes at the break but in the 48th minute Brittain curled a free kick high into the net after Mark Corcoran had been fouled by Lustig.
Within a minute of going behind Celtic should have been awarded a penalty when Brittain sent Samaras tumbling in the box but despite being within 10 yards of the incident referee Thomson chose to make an honest mistake and wave play on.
Celtic struck the crossbar for the second time in the match in the 63rd minute when a 30 yard free kick from Mulgrew smacked off the woodwork.
Watt and Paul Slane were thrown on as Celtic chased an equaliser with Samaras, Kayal and Watt coming close to scoring in the final minutes.
With the final move of the match home keeper Fraser could only parry a shot from Watt with Commons on the spot to steer home a well deserved equaliser.
Fraser, Fitzpatrick, Munro, Boyd, Tokely, Kettlewell, Brittain, Vigurs, Quinn, Corcoran, McMenamin. Subs: McCarthy, Morrow, Duncan, Kovacevic, MacPhee, Ross, Porritt.
CELTIC: Forster, Lustig (Watt 63), Wilson (Slane 76), Mulgrew: Adams, Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley, Izaguirre: Commons, Samaras
Subs: Zaluska, Rogne, Keatings, McGregor, Chalmers.
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Today’s pen was another example of a ref trying to influence events…gallant ross county defeat the arrogant tic and that obnoxious manager of theirs. And he would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for that pesky goal! Back to european refs who just do their job
oh wel means we will win the league by 28 points and not 30!
Celtic not at their best but still deserved at least a point. The stats suggest the same. How the referee never gave a penalty is beyond belief. I was disappoined Neil did not give Keatings the last 10 minutes, the young guy must be due a run-out. Probably best to leave it to Celtic park on second thoughts.
Exciting game and I don’t think Celtic are going to win the league as easily as everyone suggests especially as Europe will become a priority from the middle of September regardless of what competition we are playing in.
Interesting to hear the commentator say that Derek Adams fights his corner for his team and deliberately makes life difficult for opponents (as Adams was deliberately wasting time) and ‘quite right too!’ I believe he said.
Why is Neil Lennon violently and viciously attacked (literally as we know) for doing exactly the same thing. Adams is commended for doing this (and good luck to him) but Lennon brings the game into disrepute for doing exactly the same thing. Strange.
The main event is Helsingborg next week. Expect Lennon to field the strongest squad he can, so few changes from todays draw against Ross County.
“I am pleased to come away unbeaten. That should give them a lift for Tuesday.”[Lennon]
[The team that GSW used to support won 1 out of their last 25 European games]
Only seen the second half but we were dire. Only bright spot was the away support.Too many players going through the motions and not creating quality football. Neil Lennons team selection and formations continue to baffle me at times.
We got off to the same lacklustre start last season and fell 15 points behind. that wont happen this season but, it is a concern when we need to hit the ground running for European football and the chance to really compete and not just be there to pick up money for the board.
With so many strikers missing this would have been an ideal opportunity for young Keatings, but I think he still needs a few matches himself to get properly match sharp – even more so for the step up to first team level. But I am sure he will get his chance.
Good to see Paul Slane getting a run out, another player badly hit by injury but lots of talent.
Certainly all these injuries are really testing the depth of the squad but our young guns are yet to let us down.
Why do Celtic constantly wait for the opposition to get 10 men behind the ball and then try and play through them ? Get the ball forward QUICKLY.Today worried me-there is a distinct lack of class.I cannot stand Samaras-the guy is utterly INEFFECTUAL.Kris Commons gets brushed off the ball too easily.I fear for the Euro qualifiers.I thought Celtic today were a disgrace to the jersey.Not good enough by a long way.Lack of creativity-Ross County for Chrissake. Was that the 50th stonewall Celtic pen REFUSED by The Force of Darkness
Disgrace to the jersey is bein a bit harsh, was a bad performance but c’mon seriously !!
Its not a game changer, but what has Rogne done so wrong, to have Lustig and Wilson selected before him??
Lennon always experiments with team selection and formations…. is that a good thing.???
Craig Thomson lets not forget get all these Mankie referees. Video diary being make of this seasons of shocking decisions.
As for the media don’t listen and drive down their circulation.