Celtic failed to restore their four-point lead at the top after being held to a 0-0 draw at Inverness.
Celtic in meek response to rivals Rangers' win
Celtic failed to restore their four-point lead at the top of the SPL after being held to a 0-0 draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The SPL's bottom club, in new manager Terry Butcher's first game in charge, frustrated the reigning champions for 90 minutes.
In a dire game, Celtic struggled to create any noteworthy chances as the leaders failed to respond to title rivals Rangers' 2-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday.
Inverness came out of the traps brightly with Dougie Imrie testing Artur Boruc from distance within the opening two minutes.
An offside flag denied Richie Foran a dream start when he acrobatically turned the ball past Boruc two minutes later.
Georgios Samaras spurned a great opportunity after 17 minutes when he unsuccessfully tried to find his striking partner Scott McDonald instead of having a shot himself.
The hosts almost gifted Celtic the lead, however, when Shunsuke Nakamura pounced on a slack Ross Tokely clearance but the Japanese midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
Scare
Inverness survived another scare moments later when Samaras somehow headed wide from six yards when he looked certain to open the scoring.
Boruc was called into action to keep out a Pavels Mihadjuks header after 29 minutes before Foran failed to keep his diving header under the bar.
Nakamura volleyed over from inside the area and Barry Robson was booked for persistent fouling before the first half came to a close.
Inverness started the second half in positive fashion with Ian Black curling an effort wide of the target within three minutes of the restart.
The home side that kept pushing forward with Imrie again failing to hit the target from distance after Robson was dispossessed.
Lionel Djebi-Zadi was alert to clear the danger when Robson played a quick free-kick to Aiden McGeady but the Frenchman was well placed to clear the Celtic midfielder's inviting cross.
Both sides were painfully close to making the breakthrough with Imrie inches away from Duncan's cross while substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink almost connected with McGeady's centre at the other end.
Substitute Adam Rooney almost headed his side into the lead after 82 minutes but Boruc managed to tip his effort over the bar.
With less than five minutes remaining Eric Odhiambo was handed an Inverness debut with Imrie making way, while Cillian Sheridan replaced McDonald for Celtic in a rousing finish.
Odhiambo almost marked his bow with a goal but Boruc made a fine save from the striker's low drive.
There was still time for Stephen McManus to have a chance from six yards but his volley sailed over the bar to allow the home side to hold on for a welcome point.
