Samaras winner decisive for Celtic

Greek striker scores late to edge seven-goal thriller against Aberdeen

Celtic's Georgios Samaras (second right) celebrates his winning goal at Celtic Park. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.
Celtic's Georgios Samaras (second right) celebrates his winning goal at Celtic Park. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Georgios Samaras scored in the dying seconds as Celtic edged out Aberdeen 4-3 in a dramatic seven-goal thriller at Celtic Park.

The Dons, for whom manager Craig Brown announced his decision to retire at the end of the season, fell behind in the opening seconds when Kris Commons bundled home from close range.

But Scott Vernon levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time before Josh Magennis put them ahead in the 53rd minute and then doubled their advantage on the hour to the chagrin of the home crowd.

Charlie Mulgrew set the wheels in motion for a comeback and Gary Hooper headed home to level proceedings in the 87th minute before substitute Samaras broke Aberdeen hearts with his hooked effort in the fifth minute of added on time.

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Billy McKay's controversial penalty ensured Inverness leapfrogged Ross County into third in the table after a 2-1 win at the Caledonian Stadium.

McKay netted the winner in the 59th minute after referee Iain Brines pointed to the spot when Charlie Taylor went down, but there were strong suggestions the full-back was making a meal of it.

It came after Andrew Shinnie’s close-range opener in five minutes for Caley Thistle was cancelled out by a magnificent 30-yard strike from County’s Paul Lawson.