Celtic captain Callum McGregor scored the winner in the 95th minute as Martin O’Neill’s side battled to a 1-0 win over St. Mirren in the Scottish Premier League.
It looked like the Bhoys would lose further ground on leaders Hearts as they only managed to muster a shot on target in second-half stoppage time, but McGregor’s thunderous strike broke St. Mirren’s hearts at the death.
St. Mirren made Celtic feel uncomfortable from the start, with Conor McMenamin poking just wide in the early stages and then firing a long-range shot that deflected the far post.
The first shot on target from either team did not come until the 64th minute, when Keanu Baccus curled straight into Kasper Schmeichel’s gloves, although the ball was in the Celtic net five minutes later.
Liam Scales poked a bouncing ball past his own goalkeeper but the goal was disallowed as McMenamin interfered with play from an offside position, with the decision upheld following a VAR review.
It looked like the match was heading towards a goalless draw when Schmeichel denied Declan John at his near post, but deep into stoppage time McGregor sent a left-footed thunderbolt into the top right corner from distance, setting off wild celebrations.
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McGregor’s stunning winner came from Celtic’s second shot on target, with the champion playing 93 minutes before testing Shamal George for the first time in the St Mirren goal.
But one miracle strike was enough to bring them within four points of leaders Hearts, who visit Aberdeen on Sunday.
During his two spells in charge of Celtic, O’Neill has won all five of his games against St. Mirren without conceding a single goal.
He is only the sixth Celtic boss to achieve the feat against any opponent, after Jock Stein against Airdrieonians, David Hay against Clydebank, Liam Brady against Dundee, Neil Lennon against St. Mirren and Ronny Deila against Partick Thistle.
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