Daizen Maeda scored one of the Old Firm’s great goals as Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park and moved to within a point of Hearts at the top of the Premiership.
Celtic knew a win would close the gap on Derek McInnes’ side after taking the lead against Motherwell on Saturday evening, but they did not get off to the start they wanted as Mikey Moore put the visitors ahead within the opening 10 minutes.
But Yang Hyun-jun’s quick equalizer put the home side level, and after Maeda had put his side in front in the second half, he gave Celtic a bright spot with an audacious overhead kick and left Parkhead in disbelief.
As a result, Celtic won the Premiership title. They need to win their remaining two games – away to Motherwell on Wednesday and leaders Hearts on the final day – to retain the title.
As expected, the game started at an intense pace with both sides trading chances from the beginning.
Arne Engels brought down Jack Butland with a swirling shot from distance that the goalkeeper could only punch away. At the other end Moore fed Youssef Zermiti, who fired a fine effort just wide of the far post.
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Mikey Moore punished a sloppy Celtic defense to give Rangers an early lead in the Old Firm Derby.
However, the visitors started well and earned the opener after persistent play from Chermiti, who ran Auston Trusty in the early stages. He rushed forward after Celtic had conceded possession before his shot was blocked, the ball spinning into the path of the oncoming Moore, who slotted a goal at his mercy from close range.
The visitors were a team on the rise and Moore came off the line with another effort and the game was called off for an earlier foul.
Maeda almost pulled Celtic level when he won his battle with Emmanuel Fernandez, but his effort only went wide of the goal. But Celtic didn’t have to wait long for a leveler.
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Celtic overcame the early pressure from Rangers and scored the decisive equalizer through Yang Hyun-jun.
Luke McCowan’s brilliantly weighted pass found Engels’ run in the Rangers box and his cut-back was dispatched by Yang. VAR checked the possibility of offside, but the goal remained the same.
In the second half, it was Maeda’s show as Celtic increased the tempo. Kieran Tierney beat James Tavernier on Celtic’s left flank and slotted the ball into the box, with the Japanese forward stalling in front of Fernandez to force the ball into the net.
And then came the moment when he left the stadium with an expression of disbelief on his face.
Rangers manager Danny Roll and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill are watching.
Sebastian Tounekti’s cross was only partially blocked and Maeda teed up the ball and fired an overhead kick into the top corner from 15 yards, but Butland had no chance.
Rangers tried to gain more control of the ball after falling further behind, but to no avail. The visitors looked listless in attack, and although substitute Bojan Miovski came closest when he hit the bar, the hosts never came under any real pressure.
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Daizen Maeda scored a stunning third goal for Celtic, curling in a cross before finishing with a perfect scissors kick.
Danny Rohl became the first Rangers manager to record three straight losing seasons since Dick Advocaat in 2000. Their season is over and third place is guaranteed.
But for Celtic, they know their title dreams are very much alive as they travel to Motherwell on Wednesday evening to bask in an Old Firm victory.
