Celtic Crank Up the Pressure on Hearts with Victory Against Dundee as Jam Tarts Settle for Draw at Livingston

Kelechi Iheanacho’s first goal in six months secured a crucial win at Dens Park, propelling third-placed Celtic to within three points of Hearts.

Iheanacho outmuscled Dundee’s Ryan Astley to control a cross from fellow substitute Marcelo Saracchi and struck from six yards out in the 82nd minute.

Having suffered defeats on all three previous visits to Dundee this season, Celtic appeared destined for another setback when Simon Murray equalised from a VAR-awarded penalty in the 57th minute.

Referee Steven McLean ultimately awarded the penalty after Astley inadvertently struck a bouncing ball with the outstretched arm of Colby Donovan.

Dundee had posed little threat prior to this, having fallen behind to an eighth-minute goal from Yang Hyun-jun, who had the final touch in the attack.

Celtic squandered several opportunities before the equaliser, but Iheanacho’s long-awaited goal was soon complemented by a red card for Astley, as Martin O’Neill’s side re-entered the title race.

Earlier, Hearts manager Derek McInnes lamented his team’s lacklustre performance against bottom-side Livingston.

The Jambos now find themselves just one point ahead of second-placed Rangers, who triumphed 4-2 over Dundee United on Saturday, temporarily claiming the top spot for the first time in over two years.

Supported by 7,000 fans at Almondvale, Hearts were shocked early on when Stevie May netted for Livingston.

The Edinburgh outfit rallied with goals from Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga.

However, Craig Halkett’s pass to Islam Chesnokov was intercepted, allowing Lewis Smith to equalise in the 58th minute.

Hearts’ frustration deepened in stoppage time when Marc Leonard was sent off for preventing Robbie Muirhead from a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

“We have definitely dropped two points. We conceded two really poor goals. We approached this match with great motivation, the fans were present, and I thought we were ready,” McInnes stated.

“We needed to maintain possession and control the game, but we let that slip away from us.”

“When you concede a goal, even with half an hour left, it changes the dynamics mentally, as we then have to regroup. Livingston, as a team at the bottom of the league, found themselves with something to fight for.”