SPL/Livingston 0 Celtic 4: John Hartson ended his recent goal drought with a rejuvenated hat-trick at Almondvale last night as the reigning Premier League champions snatched back the initiative from Rangers in an unpredictable title run-in.
Celtic's top-scorer has been in the shadows of countryman Craig Bellamy in recent weeks having failed to hit the net in his four previous matches.
But while Rangers were left to rue missed chances on Tuesday night after an unexpected defeat at Ibrox to Dundee United - who stay one point above Livingston with six games left - Hartson rediscovered his goalscoring touch to stretch his season's goal tally to 27.
Stanislav Varga also pounced in the dying seconds as Celtic also moved to within just one goal of their arch-rivals.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill opted to name an unchanged line-up from that which booked the Scottish Cup holders' return to the final with victory over Hearts at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Celtic looked set to take the lead four minutes before the break when Bellamy burst clear and then unselfishly squared the ball to Hartson - but Oscar Rubio got back to block his effort and pick up an injury in the process.
Hartson, however, did score moments later when Gustave Bahoken made a major mistake to knock the ball back into the centre of goal, after Jackie McNamara had crossed from the right flank, and the striker swivelled to fire into the back of the net from eight yards.
Richard Gough made a change in the 69th minute, bringing on Pascal Nouma for Bahoken - but it had the opposite effect.
Hartson secured Celtic's passage to the top of the table in the 75th minute when he stooped at the back post to head Alan Thompson's cross home after a quick Stilian Petrov corner.
With usual penalty-taker Chris Sutton going off for Stephane Henchoz, the Welshman completed his hat-trick from the spot with five minutes to go after being barged over by James McPake. Varga also got in on the act in the final seconds, reducing the goal difference by converting at the back post - to inflict more misery on Livingston and put the pressure back on Rangers.
Ireland's Aiden McGeady, who only played the last few minutes of yesterday's game, has been nominated for the Scottish Young Player of the Year award.
The 18-year-old is considered to be one of the favourites for the prize which was won by Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson last season.
LIVINGSTON: McKenzie, McNamee, Rubio (McPake, 83 mins), Dorado, Bahoken (Nouma, 68 mins), Dair, Deloumeaux, Vincze, O'Brien, Lilley, Kachloul. Subs not used: Meldrum, McMenamin, Snodgrass, Easton, Brittain. Booked: McNamee.
CELTIC: Marshall, Valgaeren, Balde (McGeady, 88 mins), Varga, McNamara, Petrov, Sutton (Henchoz, 77 mins), Lennon, Thompson, Bellamy, Hartson. Subs not used: Hedman, Fernandez, Lambert, Maloney, Wallace. Booked: Thompson. Goals: Hartson 43, 75, 86 pen, Varga 90.
Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).
