Brown off, Celtic held in controversial finish

Captain to miss Scottish Cup semifinal clash with arch- rivals Rangers

Celtic captain Scott Brown picked up a costly late red card when tempers flared as the Scottish champions were held to a 2- 2 draw at Ross County on Sunday.

Goals from Kieran Tierney and substitute Patrick Roberts, either side of a Michael Gardyne effort for the hosts, had Celtic on course for all three points in Dingwall.

But Liam Boyce scored a controversial last- minute penalty to make it 2- 2 before Brown saw red for a lunge on the Northern Irishman in stoppage time.

The sending- off rules Brown out of next week’s Scottish Cup semifinal with fierce rivals Rangers as the Hoops chase down a domestic treble. Despite being denied the victory, the result maintains Celtic’s unbeaten record in domestic competition this season.

The breakthrough in Dingwall came from an unlikely source in the 34th minute. Australian international Tom Rogic squared the ball across the edge of the box for Tierney who took a touch before rifling a low shot into the bottom corner.

County had hardly been in the game but a stunning header from Gardyne, once of Celtic, had them on level terms five minutes after the break.

Ryan Dow delivered a fantastic ball from the left and Gardyne got in between two Celtic defenders to meet it near the penalty spot and bullet a header over Craig Gordon.

However, a moment of magic from substitute Roberts saw the Hoops regain the lead in the 78th minute.

The on- loan Manchester City winger played the ball through the legs of Kenny van der Weg to cut into the box, then sent a low shot through the legs of Mar- cus Fraser and under Scott Fox to beat the goalkeeper at his near post.

But there was controversy when Dutchman Alex Schalk threw himself to the floor in the box, with no contact from the nearby Erik Sviatchenko, and referee Don Robertson pointed to the spot.

Boyce sent Gordon the wrong way from the spot and Brown then let his anger at the decision get the better of him as he chopped down Boyce to earn himself a sending- off.