Super-sub Kelechi Iheanacho was the hero for Celtic as the Hoops beat 10-man Hibernian to move level on points with league leaders Hearts.
Iheanacho scored in the 72nd minute - just 151 seconds following his introduction - when Martin O'Neill's side had looked to be limping to a disappointing draw having played for more than 50 minutes with a man advantage courtesy of Jamie McGrath's 21st-minute red card.
Had Celtic failed to win, there would have been more controversy surrounding the nature of Joe Newell's equaliser for Hibs, with the ball appearing to hit his hand in the build-up just minutes after Daizen Maeda's 41st-minute opener.
However, Celtic were able to claim the three points in a near-empty Easter Road and move alongside Hearts ahead of the latter's clash with Rangers live on Your Site on Monday.
Playing a day earlier than their title rivals, O'Neill's side were given an opportunity to lay down a marker for Hearts and Rangers and were given the perfect opportunity to do so early on.
After a tepid start, the game sprung into life as Newell lunged into a reckless challenge on Alistair Johnston. He was initially shown a yellow card, only for a VAR check to lead to that being upgraded to a red - Hibs' fourth in three games.
From then on, Celtic controlled proceedings without being overly threatening. That was until Maeda tapped home from close range to give the visitors the lead after originally being adjudged to have been offside.
There was still time for drama late in the first half, as Newell fired home from close range after Celtic failed to clear their lines.
Another lengthy VAR check ensued as the ball appeared to strike the Hibs man on the arm before his shot. However, the goal was allowed to stand much to the shock of everyone in black.
It could have proved to have been a major talking point in the title race had O'Neill's men not found a winner. After consistent second-half pressure, they did get their breakthrough as Iheanacho stabbed home past Jordan Smith to secure a crucial three points.
It means Celtic move level with Hearts on 73 points ahead of Derek McInnes' side's clash with third-placed Rangers on Monday.
A win for Rangers will mean the top three are separated by just a single point ahead of the final Old Firm showdown next weekend live on Your Site.
Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho speaking to Your Site:
"I'm really pleased. I'm happy to be an impact today in the camp for my teammates and for the club. So I'm really happy.
"I'm always ready, whether starting or coming on, so I need to just get my head straight and great finish.
"So we're going to get three points this important for us going forward."
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill speaking with Your Site:
"Where do we start? I thought we started very brightly and had some really good chances. Then Hibs had a man sent off. We're in front and we are as comfortable as you can feel in a game. We conceded, from our point of view and really poor goal just before half time.
"It was a nervy ending to the game but overall, in terms of the chances we created in the first half, it was fine. But Hibs fought right until the very end like they did last week with nine men. We made it really hard for ourselves, but we got there.
"Had we gone in ahead at half-time it would be a different issue. They might have to change their plans. But they got their goal which gave them something to hang on to. Try as we might, we didn't create enough chances to force the issue. With all the possession we had, we didn't create enough."
On Daizen Maeda injury:
"I think he's alright. I desperately hope he's going to be okay."
Hibs boss David Gray speaking with Your Site:
"I defended other red cards in certain situations. This one you just can't defend that. It's a definite red card. It's not for trying to do the right things. He's not trying to hurt someone; it's not in his character, but it's certainly cost us the game.
"The players did everything they could. They stayed in the game, defending for their lives. The goalkeeper never had any massive saves. Credit to the defending and the effort. That's how you try and stay in the game. We had earned the right to stay in the game, but we couldn't take that chance.
On race for Europe:
"It makes it really difficult. We are back in that situation again where we are relying on other results. But, we will keep going and the next focus is the game against Falkirk where we didn't play well last time we went there and we want to atone for that."
