Ross County came from behind to secure a deserved 1-1 draw against Celtic at Parkhead.
After falling behind to Leigh Griffiths’ 38th goal of the season midway through the first-half, County responded well and created several chances, with an excellent long-range strike by Stewart Murdoch on 64 minutes securing them a point.
The result leaves the Dingwall side three points behind fourth-placed Motherwell, with the Highlanders continuing to pursue their highest ever finish.
County made five changes from the side that clinched a top-six place with a 1-0 victory against Partick Thistle earlier in the month. Skipper Andrew Davies and midfielder Martin Woods were ruled out through suspension, while Brian Graham, Richard Foster and Chris McLaughlin also dropped out. Midfielder Jackson Irvine returned following an ankle injury, while Chris Robertson, Ian McShane, Liam Boyce and Jonathan Franks were also drafted in.
Celtic were playing for the first time since manager Ronny Deila announced he will leave at the end of the season, with the Norwegian making three changes from the side that was defeated on penalties by Rangers the previous weekend. Dedryck Boyata, Gary Mackay-Steven and Stefan Johansen dropped out, with the trio replaced by Colin Kazim-Richards, Tom Rogic and Erik Sviatchenko.
Celtic created the better early chances, with Leigh Griffiths firing over from the edge of the box, but the Premiership’s leading scorer was not to be denied on 23 minutes, when he blasted a powerful strike into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
The goal put Celtic on the front-foot, and they were close to adding a second when Rogic screwed wide after being set up by Patrick Roberts, while Fox did well to parry wide from Nir Bitton’s shot.
County should have equalised four minutes before half-time, when Franks’ delivery picked out the unmarked Boyce, who could only head straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
The Staggies continued to create chances after the break, with Michael Gardyne shooting wide after being set up by Boyce’s flick on, before Alex Schalk fired over when clean through.
The visitors’ persistence finally paid off on 64 minutes however, when a corner was cleared only as far as Murdoch, who rifled home a fantastic 30-yard drive that nestled in the top corner and secured a point.
