It was honours even at Tynecastle, Hearts and Celtic sharing the points in a pulsating 2-2 draw, but many will feel that the Jambos should have punished ten-man Celtic, with two second-half chances being spurned.
The Men in Maroon had, however, to bounce back after being behind twice and they now have 51 points, with Rangers now second on 47 points with The Hoops slipping to third in the William Hill Premiership, all having played 23 games.
Earlier, Gordon was reinstated in goal and newcomer Leonard made his debut at packed Tynecastle. Kabore and Braga were up-top with Craig Halkett was skipper.
Cvancara, a Czech international, on loan from German club, Borussia Monchengladbach, was in for Celtic.
The first real chance fell to Celtic. Scales found himself in the Jambos six-yard box from a corner on the right from Tierney. Gordon was equal to it.
Real damage was done 6min 51sec into the game. A needless free-kick was given away just outside the Hearts box and Nygren stroked the ball with his left boot over the wall into the near post area. Gordon dived but was beaten. A stunning strike, inch perfect. Celtic ahead and Nygren on to 11 goals for the season, level with Hearts’ striker Shankland at the top of the individual scoring charts.
Hearts hit back and Braga was set free by Kabore. He drove into the box, inching ahead of Scales, and attempted to send the ball across Schmeichel but the big Dane dived to his right to gather his right-foot shot.
Hearts frontmen were living on scraps but Kyziridis sent a teasing ball into the Celtic box towards Milne but it was a fraction too high.
But Celtic came again and Milne sent the ball needlessly out for a corner with Gordon waiting for a nod. Engels had the ball in his hands on the left but an infringement in the box stifled the move.
Free-kick gave Hearts a chance and the ball found Halkett on the edge of the box but his header into the danger area found Kabore who scuffed his shot wide.
An Araujo shove on Brage provided another chance for the home side but Schmeichel gathered as this scrappy encounter continued.
Somebody required to put their foot on the ball and spray it about the pitch but it was not happening, but Yang fouled McCart mid-0way in the Celtic half, putting the hoops under pressure. They survived.
Seconds later, Leonard sent a throw short and the ball was launched into the Celtic box. Milne’s header was gloved by Schmeichel.
Then a blunder in defence from Trusty provided Kyziridis with a one-to-one on Schmeichel, but he stayed cool to save with his left boot, then Leonard had a chance from outside the box but his shot was blocked.
Hearts were making an impression, dominating possession, but, on several occasions, they wasted opportunities in the final third. Celtic recovered and pressed high as half-time approached, making it difficult for Hearts to break out.
Then Jambos started the second half with a bang. A corner on the left from Leonard was sent to the back post and Findlay stole in to nod the ball home over two Celtic defenders. Cue joy on the terracing. Time 48 minutes.
Then Milne flicked the ball on to find Kyziridis unmarked eight yards out but the ball would not come down and Celtic defender Scales cleaned up. The chance was lost. Celtic re-grouped and Cvancara was found in the box and the big striker hit the bar with a header. A huge let-off for Hearts.
Then Celtic pounced. Steinwender allowed the ball to bounce on the right and Tierney collected. He sped down the left and sent a perfect cross into the six-yard area. Goal for Celtic. Yang made no mistake from close in. Goal for Celtic after 62 minutes.
McEntee and Kerjota were introduced for McCart and Magnusson before Tierney limped off to be replaced by Murray.
There was real controversy when Trusty was involved in a tangle with Kabore. He received yellow. Many felt it should have been red as last man and VAR intervened and sent the referee to the monitor pitchside. Trusty walked as it was deemed he denied a goalscoring opportunity.
Yang was taken off for Ralston but Hearts kept pressing and Kerjota saw his shot from just outside the box fly wide.
Then, Tynecastle erupted. Milne sent a high ball into the Celtic box and McEntee knocked the ball down to Braga whose low shot with his right foot through a ruck of players. Game on at 2-2. Time 87 minutes. All square.
Officials ordered eight extra minutes and McInnes threw the dice with Wilson coming on for Kabore but it was another substitute, Spittal, who had a chance to win the game, latching onto a rebound and he fired inches over.
Game over.
TOGETHERNESS: Braga (left) and Kyziridis. Picture Nigel Duncan
