Terry Butcher marked his first game in charge of Inverness Caley Thistle with a goalless draw against league leaders Celtic.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action, although Georgios Samaras should have done better when he headed wide from six yards in the first half.

Both sides looked for a late winner with Inverness substitute Adam Rooney seeing his header pushed over the bar by Artur Boruc while Stephen McManus volleyed over at the other end in the closing stages.

Celtic captain McManus returned for Celtic who made three changes from the side that defeated Dundee United midweek in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final.

Samaras and Barry Robson were also preferred with Glenn Loovens, Marc Crosas and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink dropping to the bench.

Butcher made five changes to the side that lost to Hearts with new signing Richie Foran making his debut. Lionel Djebi-Zadi, Andy Barrowman, David Proctor and Ian Black also returned to the Caley line-up.

Inverness came out of the traps brightly with Dougie Imrie testing Boruc from distance within the opening two minutes.

An offside flag denied Foran a dream start when he acrobatically turned the ball past Boruc two minutes later.

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.

McManus was booked for a crude challenge on the lively Imrie as Inverness continued to venture forward at every chance.

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.

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 Robson was booked for persistent fouling before the first half came to a close.

Inverness started the second half in positive fashion with Black curling an effort wide of the target within three minutes of the restart.

Celtic made an early change with Samaras making way after 52 minutes for the more aggressive Vennegoor of Hesselink.

However it was the home side that kept pushing forward with Imrie again failing to hit the target from distance after Robson was dispossessed.

Black picked up a yellow card after 58 minutes for a dangerous tackle on McDonald.

Nakamura, who had enjoyed a quiet game by his standards, was replaced by Marc Crosas after 64 minutes.

Djebi-Zadi was alert to clear the danger when Robson played a quick free-kick to McGeady but the Frenchman was well placed to clear the Celtic midfielder's inviting cross.

Inverness made a change after 69 minutes with Adam Rooney replacing Andy Barrowman.

Foran, who was suffering from cramp, made way for Iain Vigurs after 74 minutes after a positive debut for his new team.

Both sides were painfully close to making the breakthrough with Imrie inches away from Duncan's cross while Vennegoor of Hesselink almost connected with McGeady's centre at the other end.

Substitute 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 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.

Teams

Inverness CT Esson, Tokely, Munro, Mihadjuks, Djebi-Zadi,Proctor, Black, Duncan, Foran (Vigurs 74), Imrie (Odhiambo 86),Barrowman (Rooney 69).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, McGuire, Wood, Duff.

Booked: Black, Rooney.

Celtic Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Scott Brown,Robson, Nakamura (Crosas 64), McGeady,Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 52), McDonald (Sheridan 87).

Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Loovens, Hartley, O'Dea.

Booked: McManus, Robson.

Att: 7,007

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).