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Celtic laboured to take advantage of Hibernian’s fourth red card in three games before securing a victory that lifts them level on points with Heart of Midlothian at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Jamie McGrath was the latest Hibs sinner with a lunging challenge on Alastair Johnston after just 21 minutes.
The reigning champions looked set for an easy victory when Daizen Maeda scored his fourth goal in three games soon after.Sade Olatoye wins Women’s Hammer Throw title at Music City Challenge
But Joe Newell netted a controversial equaliser – where he seemed to control the ball with his hand – just before the break, only for Kelechi Iheanacho to secure the close-range winner.
It means Celtic only now trail Hearts on goal difference before the long-time leaders host Rangers, who are four points behind in third, on Monday.
Hibs, meanwhile, are left six points adrift of fourth-placed Motherwell and only two clear of Falkirk in the race for European qualification.
Hibs still looked shellshocked by their derby loss to Hearts in a lacklustre start during which Rocky Bushiri had to block a Benjamin Nygren shot and Maeda was put clear only to blast wastefully over.
Johnston was making his first start since picking up an injury in October and the Canada right-back was lucky not to suffer another as McGrath’s outstretched foot connected above his ankle.
It had already been one-way traffic with Hibs at full stretch and it became a defence versus attack training exercise when a VAR check confirmed the Republic of Ireland midfielder’s exit.
Celtic’s pressure told when Johnston found Maeda with a low cross to sweep home from five yards. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the decision was reversed following a VAR check.
Hibs had rarely been in the Celtic penalty box but struck back on the stroke of half-time in controversial circumstances.
Goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo’s weak punch fell to Newell and the midfielder prodded home from 10 yards.
It looked like the ball had come off the Englishman’s arm, but the goal stood after VAR decided there was insufficient evidence to rule it out.
Celtic were struggling to create chances after the break, but substitute striker Iheanacho settled the game as he controlled a corner on his chest before a calm finish from five yards.
Striker Ante Suto, nevertheless, had a chance for a second shock equaliser two minutes from time, but the substitute fired into the side-netting.
