When the final whistle sounded at a minute before 10 o’clock, Celtic’s players embraced and the roar from their supporters pierced the night air.
For four long years and for 13 of the past 14 seasons, the Parkhead club have looked down on the rest of Scottish football as champions.
Almost inexplicably, they now have every chance of keeping that run going.
In winning a sixth league match for the first time this season, they dispensed with the need for calculators to be close at hand on Saturday.
The equation is now clear. If Celtic beat Hearts then they will be Scottish champions for the 56th time. Having been in a dark place so often this season, the great escape is still on.
Since losing at Tannadice in March, Celtic have been like a card player going all-in with every hand.
Kelechi Iheanacho keeps his cool to slot home the dramatic late spot-kick leveller at Fir Park
For five successive matches, they’d come up trumps. All of that would have counted for little if they’d lost their concentration here. While Hearts will still have something to say about it, Martin O’Neill’s men are now holding the whip hand.
What a night this was for the veteran, managing back at the place where his Celtic side of 2005 lost the title in the dying seconds.
On Tuesday, the Northern Irishman brushed off suggestions that adding another title to the three he won first time around is somehow meant to be. Privately, even he might feel that now.
Even in a season in which drama has been layered on drama, this really was something else.
Elliot Watt fired Motherwell into a deserved early lead only for Daizen Maeda to level just before the break.
Celtic improved after the interval and went in front through Benjamin Nygren only for sub Liam Gordon to square the game with five minutes to go.
Deep into injury time, as Celtic fans began to calculate how their side might yet pull off a heist on goals scored, they somehow prevailed.
Celtic looked like they would have to settle for a draw until Sam Nicholson was penalised
Sub Sam Nicholson’s handball was spotted by VAR and the ball was handed to Kelechi Iheanacho. The calmest man in the building, the striker slotted home the winner in the 99th minute to ensure the most incredible final-day shoot-out now awaits us.
This was a tough night for Motherwell. Not only did they lose but they saw their gap to Hibs cut to just a single point courtesy of a win for David Gray’s men at Ibrox.
The sides meet at Easter Road on Saturday. Hibs now know that a victory will see them overtake the Steelmen and guarantee them European football.
Despite this game being live on TV, Celtic supporters were here in huge numbers, with many roaming about in the town without tickets beforehand. Those who made it into the ground witnessed the most sluggish of starts from their side.
With Motherwell first to everything, Auston Trusty did well to nip in ahead of Stephen O’Donnell and prevent the defender converting Watt’s cross.
Callum McGregor earned a free-kick from Callum Slattery’s challenge. Arne Engels’ ambitious effort was never troubling Calum Ward in goal.
Looking nervous in everything they did, Celtic couldn’t connect the game. Ambitious long balls were pumped towards Maeda. Motherwell dealt with all of them.
Substitute Iheanacho races off to the visiting fans, who spilled onto the pitch in jubilation
With the visitors finding new ways to turn over possession, Slattery fired narrowly over. Arriving on 17 minutes, the opener had been coming.
The advanced Tom Sparrow gave chase to a ball up top and gathered. His cross was unconvincingly knocked clear by Trusty. Watt caught the volley cleanly although it lost speed as it bounced into the ground. Viljami Sinisalo ought to have done better.
This certainly wasn’t what O’Neill was looking for. Celtic’s efforts were best summed up by a Seb Tounekti cross from a promising position which was so overhit it went out of play.
You kept waiting on Celtic giving themselves a shake and raising their game. The harder they tried, the worse they got.
A smart run by Maeda did bring up half a chance. The Japanese dragged his shot beyond the far post. News of a second Hearts goal against Falkirk ensured there were more worried looks among the visiting supporters.
Celtic badly needed a break or a moment of magic. Both arrived in quick succession four minutes from the interval to draw them level.
Slattery gave the ball away and pursued Hyun-jun Yang as the winger raced to the other end of the park.
Motherwell’s Liam Gordon races off to celebrate after levelling the match late on at Fir Park
Just as the Korean slowed down, Slattery slid in and knocked the ball straight to Maeda. The Japanese took one touch to steady himself and found the net via the inside of the far post for his seventh goal in five games.
Having played so poorly, Celtic could actually have gone in ahead at the break. Maeda challenged Ward with the ball escaping the grasp of the home keeper. Engels’ chip struck the bar. Despite everyone assuming that referee John Beaton would blow for an infringement, he saw nothing amiss.
Aside from the leveller, the only consolation O’Neill could take from a poor opening half was that his side were still in it.
The second period was like a basketball match, Alistair Johnston headed Engels’ corner just over. Straight away, Callum McGregor slid in to deny Elijah Just at the other end.
Slattery hit the turf in the box with McGregor in close attendance, but it was a slip rather than a foul.
Celtic were starting to show fight and heart. They were winning their tackles and beginning to ask questions.
They edged in front on 58 minutes. Yang’s square ball left Nygren with much work to do. From almost a standing start, he lashed the ball from the edge of the box into the top corner for his 21st goal of the season. The visiting end exploded with joy and relief.
Benjamin Nygren celebrates with Daizen Maeda after putting Celtic ahead for the first time
The game was still on a knife-edge. Celtic had improved markedly after a poor start, but they were not completely dominant.
Trying to get it over the line, O’Neill threw on a raft of subs including Iheanacho. After Motherwell had cheaply turned the ball over, the Nigerian’s first touch was an effort to chip Ward from the halfway line, but his aim was out.
They tension was incredible. Watt saw his shot deflected onto the bar. Tawanda Maswanhise’s follow-up header was grabbed on his line by Sinisalo. Just’s powerful right footer was also kept out by the keeper.
The home side kept pushing. With Celtic unable to stop a game of pinball, Liam Scales blocked then Sinisalo saved again. At the third attempt, substitute Gordon fired home from close range.
Motherwell looked good for a point. You could not have begrudged them it.
But the most extraordinary drama still lay in wait.
Deep into injury time, sub Nicholson went out with his arm raised.
Once VAR Andrew Dallas called referee Beaton to the monitor, you knew what was coming.
With some Celtic supporters shielding their eyes in the 99th minute, Iheanacho calmly sent Ward the wrong way from 12 yards.
There were scarcely the words. To a final day shoot-out we go.
