Daizen Maeda scored one of the great Old Firm goals as Celtic came from behind to beat Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park and move to within a point of Hearts at the top of the Premiership.
Celtic knew a win would close the gap on Derek McInnes's side , but they did not get off to the start they wanted as Mikey Moore put the visitors ahead within the opening 10 minutes.
However, Hyun-Jun Yang's quickfire equaliser got the home team back on level terms before Maeda put his side in front in the second half and then gave Celtic clear daylight with an audacious overhead kick that left Parkhead in disbelief.
The result leaves a Premiership title victory in Celtic's hands - win their remaining two games, away to Motherwell on Wednesday and then against leaders Hearts on the final day, and they will retain their title.
As expected, the game started at a frantic pace as both sides exchanged chances early on.
Arne Engels called Jack Butland into action with a swirling shot from range which the keeper could only punch away. At the other end, Moore fed in Youssef Chermiti, who dragged a good effort just wide of the far post.
The visitors had started well, however, and got the opener after some persistent play from Chermiti, who ran Auston Trusty ragged in the early stages. He charged forward after Celtic gave away possession before his shot was blocked, with the ball spinning into the path of the oncoming Moore, who had the goal at his mercy from close range.
The visitors were the team in the ascendency, with Moore having another effort cleared off the line before play was pulled back for an earlier foul.
Maeda nearly pulled Celtic level when he won the battle with Emmanuel Fernandez but could only curl his effort wide of the post. Celtic didn't have to wait long for the leveller, however.
Luke McCowan's brilliantly weighted pass found the run of Engels in the Rangers box and his cutback was dispatched by Yang. VAR did have a look for a potential offside but the goal stood.
It became the Maeda show in the second half as Celtic upped the tempo. Kieran Tierney got the better of James Tavernier down Celtic's left-hand side to whip a ball into the box, and the Japanese forward stole in front of Fernandez to prod the ball into the net.
Then came the moment that left the stadium in disbelief.
Sebastian Tounekti's cross was only partially blocked, allowing Maeda to tee the ball up and dispatch an overhead kick into the top corner from 15 yards that left Butland with no chance.
Rangers controlled more of the ball after falling further behind, but it was to no avail. The visitors looked toothless in attack, with substitute Bojan Miovski coming closest late on when he hit the bar, but the hosts never looked under any real pressure.
Danny Rohl becomes the first Rangers manager to lose three games in a row since Dick Advocaat in 2000. Their season is over and a third-placed finish is guaranteed.
However, for Celtic, they go to Motherwell on Wednesday evening basking in the glow of an Old Firm win, knowing their title dreams are very much alive.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill on Your Site:
"You have to win the game, we came back from a goal behind when Rangers had their tails up. The effort the team put in throughout the game was immense. We scored the goals at the important moments, great goals they were and deserved to win the match.
"We fought back on other occasions this season - we were 2-0 down at Ibrox so we knew we could get ourselves back into games. I just wanted the team to settle down for 10 minutes to get back into the game.
"Momentum can get changed at any given minute. We are playing strongly and playing for each other and we are getting big moments where we are turning games. That's important for us. We have got a massive game midweek now against a very talented side in Motherwell so we have to get ready for that.
"In recent years Celtic have been ahead but this has been a massive challenge. We have been chasing the whole way and you are winning games and ask yourself if you have gained any ground.
"We are still in it and still fighting and that's the most important thing to come out of today. You get fantastic enjoyment from winning a football match and when you see the players in the dressing room there giving everything then it is a great feeling."
Rangers head coach Danny Röhl on Your Site:
"Big disappointment. When you lose 3-1 then very disappointed. The story is again and again the same. In the key moments we are not sharp enough to defend in our box, two similar situations and then third one was a great goal. To take something, you have to play all of the time.
"In general, both sides tried something. Both played very aggressive, but in the small moments you have to be there to take something, and we couldn't and this is what we have to change in the future to win such games.
"In some moments we have enough players around to defend things and in some moments we lose our men and are not ready or in the right position and then it is tough to come back. We know you have to suffer in some moments and come through but this is my job and responsibility and this is what we have to improve as a group.
"We showed even today - when you take the game, you still see good things but good is not enough for us as a club. We want to be the best and we want to win titles and at this moment we have to take a big learning for the new season and this is what we need to do.
"It doesn't feel great right now. We have to take all these things and the consequences from the last three games and then go forward."
