Commons earns Celtic a late reprieve

SCOTTISH LEAGUE: A dramatic injury-time goal by Kris Commons gave Celtic a point against new boys Ross County at Victoria Park…

SCOTTISH LEAGUE:A dramatic injury-time goal by Kris Commons gave Celtic a point against new boys Ross County at Victoria Park on Saturday.

Ross County led after 49 minutes when when Celtic defender Mikael Lustig fouled Mark Corcoran 20 yards from goal and Parkhead goalkeeper Fraser Forster had no chance when Staggies skipper Richard Brittain fired the free-kick high past him and into the net.

It looked like the Highland side would hold on for their first league win over the Glasgow giants but, in the third minute of added time, Commons pounced to tap the ball into the net from close range after County goalkeeper Michael Fraser had spilled a shot from Celtic substitute Tony Watt, who had replaced Lustig.

The home side, who extended their unbeaten run to 37 games, might feel harshly done by and Celtic manager Neil Lennon, whose side were short of some ten players on the injured list, celebrated the leveller with some gusto. Lennon now turns his attention to the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Helsingborg in Sweden tomorrow night.

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Andy Little grabbed a hat-trick as Rangers came from behind against East Stirling to claim a comprehensive first win in the Third Division. Paul Quinn converted an early penalty for East Stirling but the treble from Little, a first Rangers goal on his first start from Francisco Sandaza and a late strike from Lee McCulloch secured a one-sided victory.

The first Third Division match at Ibrox attracted 49,118 supporters – one of the biggest weekend attendances in Britain.