Daizen Maeda produced a breathtaking overhead kick as Celtic fought back to defeat Rangers and move within one point of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts in a dramatic Old Firm clash.
The Japanese forward delivered a moment of brilliance with a spectacular acrobatic finish that flew into the top corner beyond Jack Butland, sealing a massive win for the reigning champions and intensifying the title race with just two games remaining.
The result also confirmed Rangers will finish third after a damaging run of defeats, while Celtic and Hearts have both secured places in next season’s Champions League qualifiers.
Celtic now trail Hearts by a single point ahead of a potentially decisive final-day showdown between the two sides at Celtic Park next Saturday.
Rangers made an electric start and stunned the home crowd early on when Mikey Moore fired them into the lead.
Danny Rohl’s side pressed aggressively and looked capable of unsettling Celtic during the opening stages, doubling up on the flanks and forcing the hosts onto the back foot.
But Celtic gradually settled and found an equaliser before half-time through Hyun-Jun Yang after an excellent passing move involving Luke McCowan and Arne Engels.
The momentum shifted completely after the break.
Kieran Tierney surged forward and delivered a dangerous cross for Maeda, who finished clinically to put Celtic ahead for the first time.
Then came the defining moment.
With the ball hanging awkwardly inside the area, Maeda reacted instantly, hooking an extraordinary overhead kick over his shoulder and beyond the helpless Butland to send Celtic Park into chaos.
The striker could even have completed a hat-trick as Rangers struggled to respond during a dominant second-half display from Martin O’Neill’s side.
Title races are often defined by moments of resilience, and Celtic showed exactly that after falling behind early against their fiercest rivals.
The response from O’Neill’s side was emphatic.
They regrouped quickly, took control of possession and overwhelmed Rangers after the interval.
Maeda’s wonder goal will dominate the headlines, but Celtic’s overall attacking play was equally impressive.
Yang’s equaliser was beautifully constructed, while Maeda’s first came from a superb Tierney delivery.
Most importantly, Celtic are peaking at exactly the right moment.
They have now won six consecutive matches in all competitions and know victories in their final two league games would secure a remarkable 14th Premiership title in 15 seasons.
With Hearts still to face Falkirk before next weekend’s blockbuster meeting in Glasgow, the championship race remains finely balanced.
For Rangers, this defeat summed up a frustrating and ultimately disappointing campaign.
Danny Rohl described the post-split fixtures as “cup finals,” yet his side have now lost all three crucial matches against Motherwell, Hearts and Celtic.
Not long ago Rangers were level at the top of the table on goal difference.
Now they are guaranteed to finish third after suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time in more than 25 years.
There were moments where they threatened to fight back, with substitute Bojan Miovski rattling the woodwork late on, but once again they lacked the quality needed in decisive moments.
The season has repeatedly shown Rangers can compete for spells - but not consistently enough to deliver when it matters most.
Another summer of rebuilding and reflection now awaits at Ibrox.
Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill: "It was a big win for us and I thought we were terrific in the second half, coming from behind against big rivals.
"I couldn't be more delighted. Certain individuals were magnificent. The captain was magnificent and Daizen [Maeda] has pulled it through again.
"The midweek game is going to be extremely difficult - Motherwell are a fine team. We might fall short at the end of it all, who knows?
"But it's been a fabulous effort and we are roared on here by a raucous crowd who I believe have carried us through a few times."
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "It is a very disappointing result. We started well, but then it's football and to take something everything has to be perfect and in some moments we made some wrong decisions.
"We had a great position before the split and this is hard to take and we have to improve and develop quick. We have to learn in these key moments to be clinical and play without mistakes. We will learn from this.
"I will take a lot from the last three games to be prepared the best way possible. I will lead this group and I am clear about what we have to improve."
