Rousing Celtic produced a display packed with title-winning grit as they came from behind to defeat Rangers at Ibrox — and edge closer to Scottish Premiership glory.
Aaron Ramsey had the champions flying after he swept home the opener but Tom Rogic and Cameron Cater-Vickers netted to reverse their side's fortunes, reports the Daily Record.
Ange Postecoglou 's side have been lauded for their thrilling football this season but it was their defensive rearguard that kept Rangers at bay in the second half.
And that win sees Celtic open up a six-point advantage over their great rivals — plus a huge 15 positive goal difference — with only six games remaining.
This fixture is famed for starting at breakneck speed and the latest instalment didn't disappoint with the home side setting out their intentions early.
And it only took Rangers three minutes to net the opener as Ramsey produced a measured finish amid 50,000 fans kicking the ball into the net with him.
Josip Juranovic was caught out as Calvin Bassey ghosted in behind him and the Nigeria international teed up the former Juventus man to perfection.
Recriminations followed as the Celtic right-back felt he was left isolated his team-mates.
Rangers had their tails up and a couple of teasing crosses from both Bassey and Tavernier followed as the league leaders toiled.
Their woe was short-lived, however, as Ibrox was silenced following Rogic's equaliser against the run of play which had Ibrox appealing for offside in unison.
Celtic skipper McGregor sparked the fightback with a slaloming run into the box, Rogic's initial shot was blocked but he stayed goal side of Tavernier when Hatate's follow-up was palmed into his path by Allan McGregor. The Aussie made no mistake.
Nerve-shredding moments followed with the occasion clearly playing a part as Rangers started to sit off to the halfway line when Postecoglou's side were in possession.
Half chances were abound before Rogic scooped the ball over the bar from 10 yards out following Greg Taylor springing an offisde trap the ball rolling into his path.
Rangers, at their best on the break, claimed for a penalty when Joe Airbo clashed with Carl Starfelt just as Tavernier released his ball into the box.
But Willie Collum was unmoved and waved play on.
Celtic were growing in confidence and passed up a big chance when McGregor closed the angle Maeda as he raced into the box but the ball ricocheted into Rogic's who watched Bassey block his goal bound effort.
A manic end to the first half ensued as Maeda appealed for a penalty as he knocked it past McGregor and there was contact from the Rangers keeper.
John Lundstram was booked for a full throttle tackle on Giorgos Giakoumakis but the real drama would come from the resulting free kick.
A looping ball into the box went unclaimed and the resulting hesitance benefited Carter-Vickers who fashioned a half yard and tucked the ball under McGregor.
The interval was both an unneeded break in the white-knuckle action and a necessity for those invested to take a momentary pause for breath.
But the restart didn't go to plan as Hart's goal was left covered in glass from a broken bottle and that ridiculous incident delayed the restart by almost five minutes.
That moment, and the score at the break, combined to produce a sedate atmosphere as the second half started.
Celtic were happy to sit deeper but there was no doubt the energy levels appeared lower, but Rangers were unable to pin them in during the first 15 minutes of the second period.
The moment that got the home fans rocking again was for a tackle rather than a shot on goal as Giakoumakis was booked for wiping out Ryan Jack.
That sparked a siege on the Celtic backline that forced the visitors into multiple last-gasp clearances. The best of which was Carter-Vickers repelling Bassey's incredible ball across the six-yard box.
Fashion Sakala was then denied by a big hand from Hart before fellow sub Liel Abada fluffed his lines at the other end.
But if the Israeli was frustrated by that then he was gobsmacked minutes later when McGregor rolled back the years to produce a save for the ages to keep his team in it.
Roofe then headed wide just before added time but that was the best of their chances as the tock clicked away.
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