Match Reports

Ross County 2 Celtic 2

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Image for Ross County 2 Celtic 2

Skipper Scott Brown was sent-off as the visitors were denied by a controversial late penalty at the Global Energy Stadium.

The Hoops had twice led in the Highlands, with Kieran Tierney giving them an interval lead from distance that was cancelled out by Michael Gardyne.

But substitute Patrick Roberts’ solo effort restored their advantage, until Alex Schalk went down under Erik Sviatchenko’s challenge during the closing moments.

Liam Boyce converted from the spot and was then lunged at by the dismissed Brown. He’s now likely to miss the forthcoming Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Rangers.

Midfielder Tom Rogic started his first game for the champions since before Christmas, but it was Tierney’s low strike soon bringing a save from Scott Fox.

And it was the highly-rated teenager superbly despatching into the far corner from thirty-yards for the opening goal with just over half-an-hour played.

Craig Gordon easily dealt with Tim Chow’s reply, although Ryan Dow then allowed Gardyne to equalise with a looping header early in the second-half.

Skipper Andrew Davies next forced Gordon into action while Boyce also threatened before Celtic substitute Leigh Griffiths tested Fox with a dipping effort.

However, fellow replacement Roberts produced a moment of inspiration to reclaim the lead and Stuart Armstrong also struck the crossbar from a free-kick.

But the visitors were still denied victory as Schalk went down inside the area despite appearing to remain untouched, and Boyce fortunately levelled from twelve-yards.

Ross County: Fox, Tumility (Schalk 84), Naismith, Davies, Fraser, van der Weg, Gardyne (Franks 90), Chow, O’Brien (Routis 85), Dow, Boyce

subs (unused): Curran, Lalkovic, McCarey, Dykes

Goals: Gardyne (50), Boyce (pen 90)

Celtic: Gordon, Simunovic, Sviatchenko, Tierney, Forrest (Roberts 69), Brown, Armstrong, McGregor, Rogic (Gamboa 63), Sinclair, Dembele (Griffiths 63)

subs (unused): Toure, Izaguirre, Bailly, Kouassi

Goals: Tierney (34), Roberts (78)

Ref: D. Robertson

Att: 6,205

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