In a heart-stopping Old Firm derby that had everything—passion, drama, and a moment of pure magic—Celtic roared back from an early deficit to claim a 3-1 victory over Rangers, keeping their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive and turning up the pressure on league leaders Hearts.

The match started with a jolt for the home side, as Rangers' Mikey Moore stunned Celtic Park with a ninth-minute opener that sent the visiting fans into a frenzy. But the Bhoys, known for their never-say-die spirit, responded in style. South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun leveled the score in the 23rd minute, settling the nerves and setting the stage for a second-half spectacle.

The real fireworks came after the break. Japan forward Daizen Maeda took center stage, first finding the net with a clinical finish, then delivering a jaw-dropping overhead kick in the 57th minute that looped perfectly under the crossbar. It was the kind of goal that defines seasons—and derbies.

With this win, second-place Celtic now sit just one point behind Hearts, who have held the top spot for most of the campaign. Rangers, meanwhile, are now mathematically out of the title race and assured of finishing third. The Ibrox side will be left to rue what might have been after a season that promised more.

The title race now shifts to a crucial midweek round. On Wednesday, Hearts—chasing their first Scottish league crown in 66 years—will be expected to see off sixth-place Falkirk. But Celtic face a tricky trip to fourth-place Motherwell, a side that held Hearts to a draw just days ago. If both results go Celtic’s way, next Saturday’s final day could be a blockbuster: Celtic hosting Hearts in what would effectively be a winner-takes-all showdown.

This season has been one of the most compelling in recent memory, breaking the recent trend of Celtic dominance. The Hoops have won 13 of the last 14 league titles, with Rangers the only other champion in that span. In fact, no team outside the Old Firm has lifted the trophy since Aberdeen, under Sir Alex Ferguson, back in 1985.

But Hearts’ challenge has been hampered by a thin squad and a string of untimely injuries. Key players Marc Leonard and Craig Halkett are out for the final games after what manager Derek McInnes described as "really bad" and "unusual" setbacks. Halkett’s absence is especially gutting—he had an outside shot at making Scotland’s World Cup squad for the first time since 1998.

With two matches left and the title still very much up for grabs, the Scottish Premiership is delivering a finale that no fan—or player—will forget. Whether you’re backing Celtic’s comeback or Hearts’ historic dream, one thing is certain: every jersey, every goal, and every moment counts in a race this tight.