The never-say-die champions came back from the brink with a stunning second-half fightback to almost certainly kill off any hopes Rangers had of reviving the championship race.

Third-place Livingston had given Glasgow giants Rangers some hope of resuscitating the title campaign with a wonderful first-half strike from Francisco Quino.

Martin O'Neill's men have proved on many occasions that they are never beaten and second-half goals from Lubo Moravcik, Henrik Larsson and John Hartson completed the turnaround.

Celtic, who also have dreams of winning a back-to-back Treble, now need just eight wins from 12 games after putting together a breathtaking nine consecutive wins since losing to Aberdeen.

The home side made a lively opening to the game and made a dream start by taking the lead after just four minutes through a breathtaking 25-yard strike from Quino.

The ball broke to the Spanish star and he unleashed a stunning right-foot volley which flew past goalkeeper Robert Douglas and in off the underside of the bar for his fifth of the season.

That stung the visitors into life and they carved out a good chance in the 13th minute.

Stilian Petrov threaded the ball through to Larsson and he cut the ball back into the Bulgarian's path, but his swinging right foot completely missed the ball and the chance went begging.

The Celtic defence looked uncomfortable with the pace of the Livingston attack and in particularly striker David Fernandez, who has attracted interest from the Old Firm and English clubs.

In fact, the visitors needed the heroics of Douglas to prevent them from falling further behind in the 21st minute.

From almost an identical position to the opener, David Bingham passed infield to Barry Wilson, who his a stinging first time drive which needed a super save from the keeper at full stretch.

Moments later Celtic manager O'Neill was forced to make a substitution after Jackie McNamara pulled up with what appeared to be a muscle injury and on came Lubo Moravcik.

The mercurial Slovakian's introduction, however, sparked more urgency from the home side and they created three good opportunities in the space of two minutes soon after.

Bobby Petta showed a quick turn of pace to ghost past Michael Hart down the left and found John Hartson, but after a great turn he dragged his left-foot effort wide of the post.

Celtic had a better chance seconds later as Larsson pulled the ball back from the byline for Petrov, but his goalbound shot was blocked by his own team-mate Mjallby to stop a certain goal.

Livingston also had to make a change with Nathan Lowndes coming on for the injured Wilson before space opened up for Petrov, but he lashed his right-foot shot past the upright from 20 yards.

Fernandez was trying to make an impression with a number of scouts from England believed to be present, but he could only blaze his right-foot effort over the bar in the 36th minute.

As expected Celtic pushed the Livingston defence back immediately after the break and the home side needed some heroics performances to survive the onslaught.

Andrews made a vital challenge in the 48th minute when Larsson swung in a dangerous cross for Hartson, but the Trinidad and Tobago giant got across the Welshman to made the interception.

Livingston's Steve Tosh was feeling the pressure and he was booked for dissent after referee Douglas McDonald penalised him for fouling Moravcik - as Celtic turned the screw.

From the resulting free-kick the visitors thought they had grabbed the equaliser in the 56th minute.

Moravcik's cross was headed towards the far post and Joos Valgaeren headed home from close range, but the linesman had his flag up although the reason was not clear.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, however, was concerned to see Petrov hobble off and he was replaced by youngster Jamie Smith.

There was doubt though with Celtic's leveller two minutes later as Moravcik produced another piece of magic.

Larsson teed him up and he drilled a low left-foot shot past the despairing dive of Culkin and into the bottom corner - although the on-loan keeper might have done better.

The Manchester United youngster, however, made amends a minute later when he saved a similar drive from Moravcik.

Culkin though could do nothing to prevent the charged-up visitors from taking the lead in the 61st minute.

Smith's right-wing cross was completely missed by Hartson, but Larsson made no mistake to fire emphatically into the bottom corner for his 25th goal of the campaign.

Celtic's stunning second-half comeback was sealed in the 72nd minute with Hartson also getting his name on the scoresheet.

The Welshman reacted quickly to some slack defending from John Anderson inside his own area to stab the ball home past Culkin and into the bottom corner.

Larsson could have rubbed salt in the wounds late on, but Anderson deflected his curling shot wide before the Swedish star hit another effort wide minutes later.

Culkin saved from Larsson low to his right in the dying second, but the result was already assured.

The Celtic fans sung "bring on the Rangers" before next week's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final clash - and it's easy to see why after their awesome second-half comeback.

Teams

Livingston: Culkin, Hart, Anderson, Rubio, Andrews, Bollan, Quino, Tosh, Fernandez, Wilson (Lowndes 31), Bingham (Brittain 81).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, Makel, Santini.

Booked: Tosh, Fernandez, Anderson.

Goals: Quino 5.

Celtic: Douglas, McNamara (Moravcik 22), Valgaeren, Balde, Lambert, Petta (Guppy 86), Lennon, Petrov (Smith 56), Mjallby, Larsson, Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Gould, Maloney.

Booked: Valgaeren.

Goals: Moravcik 58, Larsson 61, Hartson 72.

Att: 8,437

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).