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

Liel Abada opened the scoring with his first goal in eight games

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 the 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

The captain (left) was a driving force in midfield as depleted Celtic salvaged a valuable win

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 earlier0m against Livingston.

More to follow.