Joe Hart: Goalkeeper in name only for much of the game, the 34-year-old Celtic number one spent most of his night passing the ball rather than saving it. After Jack Baldwin's bundled equaliser and Carl Starfelt's sending-off sparked some life into the Staggies he was tested a little more and made a decent save when required. 6

Anthony Ralston: The Scotland international's first 20 minutes or so were more about defensive concentration than attacking intent but when he did get the chance to stretch his legs in the County half he gladly took it. Often linking well with Josip Juranovic on the right flank, Ralston went on the rampage at every possible overlapping opportunity to cause havoc in the Staggies ranks. Always a willing worker, this occasion was no different and he stuck to his inverted tasks as well as putting his body on the line in another positive display that, rather aptly, ended with him rising to head the winner in Celtic's hour of need. 8

Cameron Carter-Vickers: A sloppy first pass was put behind him quickly as he played a key role in helping Celtic evade County's early intense pressing. The American's defensive nous was on show as well - the well-timed slide tackle on Blair Spittal, for instance - but, in truth, that side of his game was rarely tested until Jordan White's introduction in the second half. 7

Carl Starfelt: It was a curious match for the Swede and his defensive partner as, for the first 35 minutes, they had virtually no focal point to focus on due to Ross Callachan (a midfielder) playing up front for County. After the introduction of centre forward Dominic Samuel, the Celtic man probably thought that would change but it was not until White's arrival in the second 45 that the physical presence Starfelt usually enjoys tussling with was presented to him. He did not, as it turned out, deal with that threat especially emphatically on this occasion and took a sore one from White during one of their aerial duels before getting sent off for what was deemed two bookable offences. 4

Liam Scales: On a rare start, the 23-year-old misplaced his first attempt at a pass and struggled against Joseph Hungbo's pace early on but grew into the game well after that for the most part. He made a solid overlapping run and cutback to provide the assist for Abada's opening goal and also performed his inverted responsibilities to a high standard, with his tidy composure on the ball a particularly useful asset amid the hustle and bustle of Victoria Park. Scales had a couple of questionable moments defensively and lost his man at the corner which, given the extra height he brings to the backline was a major plus in his inclusion, will be a disappointing takeaway from an otherwise decent display. 7

Nir Bitton: There are legitimate questions as to whether a tight pitch against a team such as County is the correct time to play Bitton rather than the more creative trio of McGregor, Turnbull and Rogic. However, Callachan playing up front but dropping deep made the Israeli's presence quietly important, while he also slid over to help Scales out with Hungbo a couple of times in the early stages and generally showed his passing from deep can be a weapon even at the smaller away grounds. He also went close to a goal with a good downward header in the 11th minute but was denied by Staggies keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer. Subbed off for Rogic after 75 minutes. 7

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Callum McGregor: Buzzed about wherever he was required and variously showed his threat going forward, particularly on the half-turn, and defensively in taking the ball under pressure as he always does. His pass to Scales in the build-up to the opening goal was classic McGregor and, even despite a rare misplaced ball in the dying moments, he as much as anyone ensured an urgency remained in Celtic's play until the end. 7

Josip Juranovic: Had to wait almost a quarter of an hour for any serious on-ball involvement but he consistently took up advantageous positions in space. His quick thinking and anticipation set up Abada for a breakaway chance in the 29th minute and, although his delivery quality varied, he never hid as another out-of-position appearance resulted in a victory. 6 

David Turnbull: Back in his natural midfield role after a stint as a makeshift striker, Turnbull put in a workmanlike performance which, while not notable for many moments of genuine attacking quality, was nonetheless an integral part of a decent team display in the middle. 6

Adam Montgomery: The youngster's work ethic is not in question but there is a feeling he has to start making more of these sporadic first-team opportunities. 5

Liel Abada: Tasked with playing through the middle in an almost Kyogo-lite role. To that end, the Israeli was full of running from the outset and it paid off in the 21st minute when he got on the end of a Scales cutback to slot home. His persistent movement almost garnered him a second just before the half-hour when he rounded keeper Maynard-Brewer but his shot was just underhit and cleared by the defender. His influence waned as the match wore on but his work-rate didn't, with his attempt to track back deep into Celtic's half late on another piece of play reminiscent of his injured team-mate. 7

Substitutes

Owen Moffat (for Montgomery 63): On for his Premiership debut, the youngster moved well off the ball although was not particularly involved in his time on the pitch. 4

Tom Rogic (for Nir Bitton 75): Frightened the Staggies defence with his guile and strength, won a few free-kicks and clipped in the cross from which Ralston netted the winner. A super-sub's role from a super player. 6

Subs not used: Scott Bain, Greg Taylor, Stephen Welsh, Liam Shaw, Ewan Henderson.