Ross County 1-2 Celtic: Ralston heads last-gasp winner

Anthony Ralston's 97th-minute header rescued a dramatic Scottish Premiership victory for 10-man Celtic at Ross County and brought fans spilling on to the pitch in celebration.

Carl Starfelt was then dismissed for a second booking, but Ange Postecoglou's men - who face Hibernian in the League Cup final on Sunday - dug deep to summon a sixth straight league victory.

Anguished County's first defeat in five keeps them above bottom club St Johnstone on goal difference.

• Reaction & as it happened

This was a perilous assignment for Postecoglou's side amid an injury crisis that deprived them of six forwards, with James Forrest and Mikey Johnston the latest casualties.

Celtic's last trip to Dingwall - a 1-0 defeat in February - spelled the end for previous manager Neil Lennon and this time they faced a buoyant County who had climbed off the bottom last weekend.

However, Celtic soon quelled the hosts' energetic start and took a stranglehold.

Nir Bitton had a header clawed away from the top corner by Ashley Maynard-Brewer before fellow Israeli Abada made the breakthrough. Callum McGregor picked out Liam Scales' dart into the left-hand side of the box and the full-back's cross left Abada with a simple finish.

Scales, on his first league start, McGregor and Abada all threatened a second before the interval - and David Turnbull and Bitton did likewise after the restart - as County clung on.

But the visitors paid for their profligacy as Malky Mackay's men finally gained a foothold. The introduction of striker Jordan White off the bench gave the hosts the jolt they needed, and his head-flick teed up Dominic Samuel six yards out, only for Ralston to make a terrific block.

From the resulting corner, Baldwin evaded marker Scales to stick out a leg and turn the ball home.

Celtic's momentum vanished and the sides traded blows in search of a winner. The end-to-end contest looked to have tilted in County's favour when Starfelt hauled down Regan Charles-Cook to see red.

Josip Juranovic had a free-kick batted away by County goalkeeper Maynard-Brewer, while Joe Hart needed two attempts to gather an effort from County substitute Jack Burroughs.

When Cameron Carter-Vickers had a header tipped over the County crossbar, Celtic looked destined to drop points.

However, full-back Ralston popped up at the back post in the final minute of added time to meet a dinked Tom Rogic cross and sparked delirium among the away fans.

Man of the match - Callum McGregor

What did we learn?

With so many key players missing, the importance of this win can't be overstated, as evidenced by Celtic fans' over-zealous celebrations.

The visitors ought to have been out of sight by half-time, and their tendency to squander chances is a concerning habit for a team chasing the title.

This time, they got away with it - just - and head to Hampden with morale fully intact after the latest chapter in Ralston's fairytale renaissance from forgotten man under Lennon to key cog in Postecoglou's rebuild.

County will feel aggrieved at the amount of injury time played, but can take positives from a painful defeat. They were much improved after the interval when they began to ask questions of Celtic's defence.

White provided a focal point up front and with attacking talents such as Charles-Cook and Hungbo, Mackay's men look well equipped to climb to safety.

What did they say?

Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "It's interesting. It's the seventh minute of added-on time that Celtic scored in. It seemed to be we were playing until they scored.

"I'm disappointed for the boys. I thought they were terrific. I was very proud of them, especially with how brave they were in pressing Celtic high."

Celtic manager Ange Postecolgou: "Exciting finish, really pleased for the lads. After putting in an enormous shift, we found a way to get a winner and I think it was just rewards for their efforts.

"We weren't settling for anything. It shows their spirit, especially with 10 men. We had to dig deep. I thought our football was good and we got the three points."

What's next?

Celtic attempt to secure the first trophy of the Postecoglou era when they face Hibs in Sunday's League Cup final (15:00 GMT). County are in Premiership action 24 hours earlier against Livingston.