Inverness CT vs Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
Tulloch Caledonian StadiumAttendance6,061.
Monday 19 September 2016 08:44, UK
Celtic's perfect start to the new Scottish Premiership season came to an end on Sunday after they conceded a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Midfielder Tomas Rogic (17) looked to have set the Hoops on their way to another comfortable victory, but former Rangers winger Billy King (28) restored parity for the home side with a stunning long-range strike.
Celtic quickly regained the advantage with Scott Sinclair (34) netting for the fifth successive league match since his move from Aston Villa.
However, Celtic were unable to add to their lead and were made to rue missed opportunities when Alex Fisher (90) equalised to earn Inverness a point.
The draw sees Brendan Rodgers' side remain top, three points clear of second-placed Hearts, while Inverness move off the bottom and into 11th.
Celtic came into the match on the back of their worst ever defeat in Europe - a humiliating 7-0 loss to Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Tuesday - and started well as they looked to respond by returning to winning ways.
Moussa Dembele, who scored a hat-trick in last Saturday's 5-1 victory over Rangers in the Old Firm derby, came closest to breaking the deadlock during the opening stages, firing just wide of the target following a good through ball from Patrick Roberts.
But it was not long before Celtic grabbed the lead, with Rogic volleying in from six yards following great work on the left side from full-back Kieran Tierney.
Celtic continued to dominate possession following Rogic's opener, but were pegged back with King producing a moment of brilliance. King, collecting the ball on the left flank, drove forward before cutting inside and unleashing a rasping 20-yard shot into the top corner of the net.
Inverness quickly grew in confidence and were then denied a penalty after Ross Draper was bundled over in the 18-yard box by Erik Sviatchenko, with referee Don Robertson waving away their vociferous appeals.
It was a decision Inverness were left to rue minutes later as Sinclair beat Gary Warren to the ball inside his own half before racing towards the 18-yard box and curling his shot beyond goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.
Celtic came close to adding to their lead shortly after the half-time interval with Callum McGregor seeing his shot tipped onto the crossbar by Fon Williams.
Sinclair and Dembele also missed opportunities to put the result beyond any doubt for Celtic before Tierney crashed his effort against the crossbar as the match approached its final stages.
Celtic's failure to score a third goal ultimately cost them with Fisher heading Inverness level at the death to steal a point for the hosts.
