By JOHN MCGARRY

Published: 19:33, 22 February 2026 | Updated: 19:33, 22 February 2026

Harry Houdini would have approved of the acts of escapology Celtic have pulled off these past few weeks. A late Scottish Cup equaliser against Dundee. A stoppage-time winner against Livingston. A last-gasp effort at Rugby Park.

In any other season, you would tip your hat to such heroic acts. The sign of champions and all that. Not this year. This is a poor side who have been riding their luck, not a good one digging deep.

The chickens came home to roost here. When Kai Andrews lashed the ball into Celtic’s net with three minutes remaining to re-establish Hibernian’s lead, it felt like a defining moment in a gripping title race.

In every sense, it feels like this season is now disintegrating in front of Celtic’s eyes.

On the park, it doesn’t look like even the legendary Martin O’Neill has the sorcery to turn a plodding team into champions. Off the park, the brickbats are raining down on the board.

It was a hugely frustrating day for O’Neill...