CELTIC'S unbreakable spirit kept their championship hopes alive and kicking as they came from behind to beat 10 man Hibernian at Easter Road yesterday.
Pierre Van Hooydonk scored twice to take his season's tally to 30 and cut the gap on leaders Rangers at the top to four points.
Tommy Burns had vowed his side will take Rangers to the wire in Scotland's closest title race in years.
Ex Celt Pat McGinlay's 50th minute opener appeared to be pushing the title towards Ibrox until Van Hooydonk headed an equaliser in the 69th and then scored a controversial 82nd minute winner.
Hibs felt Celtic sub Andreas Thom was offside as he moved clear on a Paul McStay pass but, there was no flag and the German squared to his Dutch strike partner to net a simple second and secure three vital points.
Rangers need six points from their last three games to be sure of their eighth successive crown five might also be enough but anything less could open the door for Celtic's first championship win since 1988.
Hibernian defender Graeme Love was sent off by referee Jim McCluskey after 39 minutes for appearing to throw an arm at Van Hooydonk.
However, Hibernian were still full of fire and they took a shock lead after 50 minutes when McGinlay beat Marshall with a stunning volley.
Celtic equalised after 69 minutes when Van Hooydonk headed home his 29th goal of the season. Then came the winner with Leighton, his team mates and the Hibernian bench all claiming off side. But it mattered little and Celtic's run of one defeat in 32 domestic matches means their challenge is still very much alive with three games left.
