Caley Thistle went down 3-1 against champions Celtic, who moved seven points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership.
The Hoops took the lead through Callum McGregor’s strike, only for Miles Storey to equalise seven minutes before half-time.
Although Inverness created chances after the break, they eventually came unstuck through Leigh Griffiths’ effort, and an own goal from defender Danny Devine.
The game had been in doubt prior to kick-off due to heavy rainfall in the Highlands, with the pitch passing a 7.30am pitch inspection. Inverness made two changes from the team that was defeated 2-1 by Partick Thistle last week, with captain Gary Warren and midfielder Ross Draper both returning in place of Lewis Horner and Carl Tremarco.
Celtic’s 2-1 defeat against Ajax in midweek spelled the end of their Europa League hopes, and manager Ronny Deila made two changes from that side, with Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen coming in for Gary Mackay-Steven and James Forrest.
The Parkhead side got off to the perfect start, taking the lead after just eight minutes. Midfielder Callum McGregor, who had given his side the lead in Thursday’s loss against the Dutch outfit, strode forward to the edge of the penalty box, before unleashing a low drive into Owain Fon Williams’ bottom left-hand corner.
Caley Thistle responded well however, and nearly levelled when Warren’s header was blocked on the line by Hoops goalkeeper Craig Gordon, before Josh Meekings’ rebound went just wide.
Celtic had chances to add to their lead from set-pieces as well however, with defenders Mikael Lustig and Jozo Simunovic failing to find the target with headers from corners.
Inverness rallied though, and were rewarded with a leveller six minutes before half-time. Liam Polworth released Storey, and although his initial effort was saved by Gordon, the on-loan Swindon Town attacker was well placed to tuck home the rebound for his seventh goal of the season.
The goal was a huge boost for Caley Jags on the verge of half-time, and they began the second-half with intent, with Draper heading just wide from Meekings’ delivery.
Celtic regained their lead on 59 minutes though, with a well-worked move down the left which saw substitute Scott Allan release full back Kieran Tierney, who delivered a tempting low cross for Griffiths to knock home from six yards.
Immediately after the goal Deila introduced former West Ham attacker Carlton Cole for his debut, in place of Tom Rogic, and he nearly made an instant impact with a close-range header from McGregor’s cross, only for Fon Williams to claw the ball over.
Inverness were close to levelling matters for a second time when Greg Tansey’s corner was flicked on by Devine, with his header deflecting off Lustig on its way towards goal, forcing Stefan Johansen to hack it off the line.
Celtic extended their lead with a freakish late goal, which saw Cole knock the ball off defender Devine and into the net, with the ball appearing to strike the forward’s hand.