Celtic - 3 Hibernian - 2 Celtic found domesticity a chastening experience after the euphoria of their midweek UEFA Cup success over Stuttgart, needing an injury-time goal to edge past a dogged and determined Hibernian team.
Johan Mjallby's header on 92 minutes saw the Parkhead side through and time will tell how vital it proves to be.
"It was important to be going into next week's Old Firm match six points behind with a game in hand rather than eight," said Mjallby afterwards.
His goal was greeted with great celebration by manager Martin O'Neill, who knew precisely how damaging a draw would have been to Celtic's championship challenge on a day when Rangers maintained their push with a 2-1 victory over Livingston.
"It's simple," said O'Neill. "We had to win and I thought we showed great character and resilience to get through that one after our efforts in Germany. At 2-2 it was anyone's game but I think we proved again that we won't relinquish the title easily."
The Edinburgh team, who arrived at Parkhead on the back of four successive defeats, appeared to be down and out after two John Hartson goals - the first after just 67 seconds. But they grabbed a lifeline when a dreadful clearance by Javier Sanchez Broto left Tom McManus with a simple tap-in after 38 minutes.
After the interval Hibernian stepped up the search of the equaliser and it arrived on the hour when McManus curled a delightful effort wide of Broto.
Hibs manager Bobby Williamson admitted he was desperately disappointed at coughing up the decider. "That was hard to take, although it was poor to lose three goals to set pieces," he said.
CELTIC: Broto, Mjallby, Valgaeren, Crainey, Agathe, Lambert (Guppy 63), Lennon, Petrov (Sylla 81), Thompson, Hartson, Maloney. Subs Not Used: Marshall, McNamara, Varga. Goals: Hartson 1, 23, Mjallby 90.
HIBERNIAN: Andersson, Smith, Fenwick, Townsley (Arpinon 76), James, Brebner, Jack, Doumbe, Murray, O'Connor (Riordan 84), McManus (O'Neil 72). Subs Not Used: Westwater, Paatelainen. Booked: Fenwick. Goals: McManus 37, 60.
Referee: W Young (Scotland).
