RALSTON RISES TO THE
Defender’s header in sixth minute of injury time spares Celtic blushes in Dingwall
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N Anthony Ralston goal in the sixth minute of injury-time last night secured a narrow win over Ross County for Celtic that ensured they remained four points behind Rangers in the cinch Premiership table and sparked a pitch invasion by joyous travelling supporters.
Ange Postecoglou’s side, who had dominated Malky Mackay’s team throughout, looked set to be held to a draw and suffer a serious setback in the Scottish title race in the Global Energy Stadium.
They had taken a deserved lead through Liel Abada in the first-half, but had, despite creating scoring chance after chance, failed to build on their advantage thereafter.
When Jack Baldwin bundled a Blair Spittal corner over the line in the second-half it looked as though they were going to pay a high price for their lack of ruthlessness in the final third. The red carding of Carl Starfelt for a second bookable offence did nothing to aid their fightback.
However, Ralston headed home a Tom Rogic cross at the death and prompted dozens of Celtic fans to leave their seats, leap over the advertising hoardings and celebrate on the field. Their actions were, while unfortunate, entirely understandable. It could prove to be a vital result come May.
On the last occasion that Celtic had travelled to the Highlands back in February they had suffered a 1-0 defeat which ended the troubled reign of their former manager Neil Lennon.
The visitors went into this match in far better despite their lengthy injury list; they had won their previous five league games and triumphed in five consecutive away matches in the top flight.
Shorn of the services of Albian Ajeti, Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgios Giakoumakis, Postecoglou fielded Abada at striker. With James Forrest, Mikey Johnston and Jota also missing, Josip Juranovic moved from right back to the right wing.
Having to play two men out of position did not affect performance levels whatsoever.
Liam Scales, the young Irishman who had impressed in his appearances against Dundee United and Real Betis earlier this month, came in to make his first Premiership start at left back. He was one of three changes for the away team.
Adam Montgomery and Ralston slotted in on the left wing and at right back respectively as Rogic and Greg Taylor dropped to the bench and Johnston failed to make the squad.
County moved off the foot of the Premiership table for the first time since early October at the weekend when they extended their unbeaten run to four games with a home triumph over Dundee. So they went into the encounter with high hopes of causing an upset.
Mackay brought in Jake Vokins, Jordan Tillson and Spittal as David Cancola, Connor Randall and Dominic Samuel dropped out and moved Spittal up front. His changes meant the game kicked off without a recognised striker on the park.
Ash Maynard-Brewer kept the score level in the 11th minute when Nir Bitton rose unchallenged to meet and inswinging David Turnbull corner. The County keeper
palmed the header wide.
He could, though, do nothing to prevent the opening goal 10 minutes later when his rearguard was cut wide open. Callum McGregor supplied Scales down the left flank and his team mate squared into the
six-yard box. Abada ghosted in between Jack Baldwin and Vokins and side-footed into the net.
Bitton fired a free-kick over and McGregor went close with an attempt from the edge of the area soon after. Buoyed by edging in front, Celtic had their hosts on the back foot and were in complete control.
Abada and Juranovic certainly seemed to be relishing their new roles.
They combined well to set up another chance. The latter sent the former haring towards goal with a long pass upfield and the forward beat MaynardBrewer to the ball. His shot from an acute angle, though, lacked power and was easily cut out by Keith Watson.
Mackay was clearly exasperated by what he was seeing and referee Alan Muir exchanged a few choice words with him on the touchline. The County manager’s mood would not have improved when Harry Paton hobbled off injured and had to be replaced by Samuel.
Scales got forward at every available opportunity. He should have done far better when
McGregor teed him up just before half-time. But Postecoglou would have been pleased with his charges’ showing in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half started in much the same vein. Turnbull went agonisingly close with a chip from just outside the County penalty box and Bitton came within inches of connecting with a Juranovic delivery.
But when a team dominates a game to such a degree and fails to capitalise on it they run the risk to being hit with a sucker punch and that is exactly what happened in the 57th mnute.
Ralston slid in and denied Samuel a shot with a welltimed tackle. But he conceded a corner in the process and the hosts equalised from it against the run of play. Spittal picked out Baldwin who slotted beyond Hart from close range.
Postecoglou handed Owen Moffat his competitive debut six minutes after the equaliser. The teenager took over from Montgomery. Rogic also came on for Bitton after a lengthy delay for CStarfelt to receive treatment to a head knock.
Starfelt was booked for complaining to Muir about the challenge on him and when he was adjudged to have barged over Regan Charles-Cook with 11 minutes remaining he saw another yellow and then a red.
Juranovic, Cameron CarterVickers and Turnbull forced fine saves from MaynardBrewer in the fraught closing stages before Ralston finally clinched the winner at the death.