A last-gasp winner from Johan Mjallby allowed Celtic to keep their title hopes on course just days before meeting Rangers in a vital Old Firm league clash.

The Hoops looked like they would have to settle for a draw after John Hartson's double was cancelled out by two goals from Tom McManus. Such an outcome would have seen Rangers extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

But Celtic continued to battle right until the final whistle and they were rewarded when Mjallby nodded home in injury-time to secure the win.

Celtic headed into this game still in euphoric mood following their success against Stuttgart in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night and boss Martin O'Neill had admitted he feared Hibs could wreck the party atmosphere.

But his players immediately set about trying to ease his concerns by storming into the lead just 60 seconds into the game.

Alan Thompson spotted John Hartson unmarked on the corner of the six-yard box and he supplied the cross for the Welshman who gratefully directed his header past stunned Hibernian goalkeeper Daniel Andersson, who was filling in for the injured Nick Colgan.

The Easter Road side thought they had levelled seven minutes later when McManus shrugged off Mjallby to pounce on a long ball into the area. He nodded past Celtic keeper Javier Sanchez Broto from just a few yards out but the assistant referee's flag was already raised for offside.

Young Celtic striker Shaun Maloney had proved on a number of occasions this season that he can provide stunning goals from free-kicks and he had the chance to extend the Hoops' lead when they were awarded a set-piece 35 yards out.

But the youngster had already missed several decent chances earlier in the game and, once again, he disappointed when his free-kick was easily held by the Hibs goalkeeper.

Instead, he had to settle for being the provider for Hartson's second goal of the day. His corner was met by Hartson at the near post and the big striker left Andersson with no chance when he bulleted the header home from close range after 23 minutes.

Despite the setback, Hibs continued to try to push forward and they were rewarded seven minutes before the break when they pulled a goal back.

Garry O'Connor played the ball into the area and the cross should have been easily held by Broto but he fumbled the ball under pressure from McManus, allowing the young striker to round him before slotting home from close range.

Celtic tried to respond quickly and Hartson could have grabbed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later but his header smacked off the crossbar under close marking from Ian Murray.

Both sides had chances to take the lead shortly after the restart. Maloney once again presided over a long-range free-kick but, like his previous attempt, the 30-yard shot was weak and easily cleared by the Hibs defence.

The action switched to the other end of the park and the Easter Road side were unlucky not to level after 49 minutes. Craig James' corner had been cleared by Mjallby but the ball broke to Murray who unleashed an impressive drive only to be denied by Broto, who just turned the effort past the post.

Hibs were beginning to grow in confidence and Derek Townsley had a couple of decent chances to find the back of the net.

He met a Craig James cross after 55 minutes only to see his header easily blocked by Broto and the Spanish goalkeeper was called into action again three minutes later - this time to block Townsley's diving header from a Grant Brebner cross.

Brebner did manage to set up Hibs' second goal but the plaudits went to McManus again when he produced a dazzling 25-yard drive past Broto after 59 minutes.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, only the heroics of the Hibernian goalkeeper prevented Hartson from clinching his hat-trick, and reclaiming Celtic's lead, when Andersson somehow managed to block a point-blank shot from six yards.

Celtic continued to push forward in a desperate attempt to secure the three points but they found themselves frustrated by the Hibs defence.

But, with only injury-time remaining, Mjallby secured all three points when he met a corner to nod home the winner at the far post from just a couple of yards out.

Teams

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.

Att: 57,512

Ref: W Young (Scotland).