Celtic came from behind to snatch a thrilling Scottish Premiership victory over 10-man Motherwell to keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts.

Tomas Cvancara's penalty and Hyun-jun Yang's settler proved crucial in the second half for the title-chasing hosts, with Hearts losing to Kilmarnock later on Saturday and third-placed Rangers away to St Mirren on Sunday.

Elijah Just had put the impressive visitors ahead before Yang punished a defensive blunder, akin to the one that undid Jens Berthel Askou's side on their last visit to this stadium.

Cvancara converted after Emmanuel Longelo was punished for holding in the area, the wing back was then ordered off after video assistant referee (VAR) intervened.

Yang sealed a vital victory that potentially ends Motherwell's title chances but provided a huge boost to Celtic's with just eight games remaining for the defending champions.

This contest had thriller written all over it before kick-off. It delivered and then some.

The visitors looked impressive but looked to have fallen behind when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fierce drive was touched on to the post by Calum Ward, the ball squirmed along the line but not over - just.

On chances, Celtic were ahead. On almost every other measure, Motherwell were and got their reward.

Reo Hatate dithered inexplicably on the edge of his own box when isolated. He was caught, the ball fell to Just and he smashed home into the corner to send a sell-out away end into raptures.

The response was swift but gift-wrapped by their opponents.

Yang pounced after Tom Sparrow misplaced a pass in his own box. Benjamin Nygren got there, cut back, Ward parried but it fell perfectly for the South Korean and he smashed home.

Berthel-Askou's side didn't flinch, retaining their composure as the teams traded chances with Nygren striking a post.

The noise levels then went through the roof when Ward misjudged a corner, Longelo misjudged his positioning and he, eventually, was deemed to have held Daizen Maeda.

A penalty, a red card and a goal followed, with Yang adding a third to seal a crucial win in this thrilling title fight.

Many looked at Celtic's recent run of fixtures with doubt as to how they would cope.

Whatever the analysis, the results were near perfect giving a platform to attack the defence of their title.

No let up in the size of the challenge. Motherwell are a big obstacle these days and were just that again.

Yet, Celtic found a way as they seem to keep doing under Martin O'Neill.

This win heaps pressure on Hearts and Rangers. Convincing? Not overly, but you have to admire Celtic's will to somehow get the job done against tough opposition.

Momentum may just be swinging their way to a degree. At this stage, three points are essential and they have overcome a very big hurdle with just eight games left.

It's a measure of Motherwell that they had Celtic playing counter attack football at home at times. They set traps for Celtic to play into.

Every time Berthel Askou directed his side, he was pointing towards the opposition goal. They waited for one gap and then were off on attack. They are so accomplished at what they do.

A big mistake, playing in their own box, cost them in a 3-2 defeat here last time they met in Glasgow.

It happened again. Sometimes the risk isn't worth it, especially when Motherwell had Celtic where they wanted them.

At half-time they had nearly 60% possession. They just lacked a degree of cutting edge or this outcome could easily have been different.

They are likely to question the penalty award and resultant red card. That ended their chances and with it, most likely, their outside hopes of a title fight to the end.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill tells BBC Scotland: "It's a big win and to come from behind and play in the matter that we did. Naturally, I'm delighted with the performance.

"Where it comes in the scheme of things, I genuinely don't know. But today, to play against Motherwell, who are a fine, fine footballing team and fight back with all the things that were mounting up for us, like injuries, the team have found spirit.

"But spirit alone won't do it for you and they played brilliantly. That's a delight.

"I think for a neutral, not that I am one, I think it was a great game of football."

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "Of course it hurts. We hate losing, love winning and now we have got nothing out of the last two games even though we have put a lot in.

"The tempo was really high at times, some of the quality in the build-up was really good and our pressing was at times extremely good and it made them change their strategies.

"We got a goal from it and our bravery gave them some opportunities to punish us, which they were able to do.

"It could go both ways and I would have hoped it would not be that kind of moment or incident that tipped the game to one of the sides. I think it was a shame that [the penalty and red card] decided the game.

"It's a penalty, which is a big chance, and a red card which makes it difficult to get back into the game and get a result."

Celtic are back on their travels when they head east to face Dundee United next Sunday (12:30 GMT).

Motherwell host Hibernian the day before (15:00) with every league fixture against top six sides for the remainder of the campaign.