A resurgent Daizen Maeda delivered a memorable Celtic Park goal as the champions cut the gap on Premiership leaders Hearts to one point with a 3-1 comeback win over Rangers.
Maeda looped an overhead kick into the top corner to net his second goal in four minutes and his sixth in four games. The Japan attacker had fired Celtic ahead with a first-time finish in the 53rd minute to complete a comeback.
Mikey Moore had given Rangers the lead in the ninth minute before Yang Hyun-jun levelled in controversial circumstances midway through the first half.
The opening half had been end to end but Celtic proved too strong for Rangers in the early stages of the second half and stood firm as the visitors pushed to get back into the game.
The result, coupled with Hearts’ draw at Motherwell on Saturday night, leaves Celtic knowing that even a point at Fir Park will ensure they have the chance to beat Hearts to the title when the two teams meet next Sunday.
Hearts’ goal difference advantage is now down to three although that can only come into play if Celtic draw at Fir Park and the leaders lose at home to Falkirk.
Rangers have been consigned to a third-placed finish following their third-consecutive defeat.
It is the first time a Rangers team has suffered a hat-trick of league losses since 2000 – when current Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was in his first season in charge.
They now need the Hoops to beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final to avoid dropping from the Europa League qualifiers to the Conference League.
The derby started in frantic fashion. Maeda’s pressing immediately caused Rangers issues and the Japan forward almost pounced after Jack Butland spilled an Arne Engels strike.
Luke McCowan was a surprise choice on Celtic’s right wing and he was twice dispossessed in strong challenges that led to Rangers breaks.
Yousseff Chermiti shot just wide after Moore broke and the same pair were involved in the opener after McCowan was bundled off the ball by Emmanuel Fernandez. Chermiti’s shot was blocked and Moore knocked the rebound inside the near post.
Maeda shot several yards wide after being played through before Celtic equalised when Yang swept home from an Engels cutback after McCowan’s excellent reverse pass.
Benjamin Nygren was standing in an offside position in front of Butland but the goalkeeper appeared to have a clear sight of Yang as the winger shot and video assistant John Beaton decided the Sweden international was not interfering.
The hectic action continued at either end before the break. Chermiti continued to look a threat and McCowan and Maeda were denied by last-ditch challenges.
O’Neill brought on Sebastian Tounekti for McCowan at half-time and switched Yang to the right as Celtic turned the screw.
Maeda was inches away from reaching Nygren’s cross before the centre-forward converted Kieran Tierney’s volleyed cross.
The Japan attacker soon produced his moment of magic after Tounekti’s cross was half-cleared into his control.
Maeda knocked the ball into the air and launched himself into a bicycle kick while Butland watched as the ball looped under his crossbar.
Celtic Park was in full voice even as Rangers pressed in the final 20 minutes. Viljami Sinisalo saved Dujon Sterling’s header before Bojan Miovski headed against the crossbar in stoppage-time.
PA
