CHAMPIONS Celtic swept SEVEN points clear of Michael Beale’s Ibrox side after another day of Premiership drama.
Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops outfit claimed a thrilling 2-1 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park when Matt O’Riley struck an exquisite winner in the seventh minute of stoppage-time.
So, the Parkhead men, looking for their twelfth title in 13 years, got the job done in the day’s 12.30pm kick-off.
The focus swung on Ibrox later in the afternoon where Beale’s side were taking on Aberdeen, managed by ex-Hoops hero Barry Robson.
The home team blundered through the encounter as they nosedived to a 3-1 loss.
JOY BHOYS…matchwinner Matt O’Riley acts as cheerleader as the Celtic players show their delight at Fir Park.
Scott Wright was red-carded in the second-half as the pressure mounted on boss Beale who also saw his men lose 1-0 to Rodgers’ side at the same venue at the start of the month.
The Pittodrie visitors were leading 1-0 at the interval with a strike from Stefan Gartenmann and Jamie McGrath doubled their advantage in the 68th minute.
A blunder by keeper Kelle Roos gifted the hosts a lifeline when he made a mess of a cross and Abdallah Sima capitalised.
However. Jack MacKenzie thumped in a third with a drive that went in off the underside the crossbar.
Home fans were leaving the ground long before the end and boos rang round the stadium at full-time following THIRTEEN minutes of stoppage-time.
Nearest challengers St Mirren drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to drop four points off the pace.
OH, YES, AS O’RILEY STAGES LATE, LATE SHOW