LAST-GASP Leigh Griffiths rescued 10-man Celtic with a stoppage time winner against a stubborn Partick Thistle at Parkhead.
The second-half substitute for the ineffective Nadir Ciftci snapped up the opportunity after a shot from Kris Commons had been deflected into his path.
Griffiths didn’t hesitate as he thumped his 20th goal of a prolific campaign past the helpless Tomas Cerny.
Nir Bitton had already been banished following his second yellow card in the 67th minute for a moment of rashness in a challenge on an opponent. The Israeli international midfielder had been booked shortly beforehand for another foul.
It left his team-mates toiling against the Maryhill side who thought they were onto a winner with his red card. Manager Alan Archibald replaced defender Sean Welsh with striker Mathias Pogba in a bold move to go for three points in the east end of Glasgow.
And they came so close to succeeding when Callum McGregor hooked a header from Danny Seaborne off the line following a corner-kick in the 82nd minute.
It looked as though the game was heading for a goalless stalemate which would have been the Hoops’ third at home this season following draws against Hearts and Kilmarnock.
Thankfully, though, Griffiths came up with the winner to send the fans home happy. But this was a result mixed with exasperation and elation.