Celtic ramp up the challenge on Hearts with victory against Dundee while Jam Tarts end in stalemate at Livingston

Kelechi Iheanacho netted his first goal in half a year to secure a crucial win at Dens Park, propelling third positioned Celtic to within three points of Hearts.

Iheanacho tussled with Dundee defender Ryan Astley to gain possession from substitute Marcelo Saracchi's delivery and slotted it in from close range in the 82nd minute.

Celtic had suffered defeats in their prior three visits to Dundee this campaign and appeared poised for another setback when Simon Murray levelled things up via a VAR checked spot kick in the 57th minute.

Referee Steven McLean awarded the penalty after Astley struck a loose ball against the arm of Colby Donovan.

Dundee had offered little danger up to that point and had trailed initially after Yang Hyun-jun applied the finishing touch in an eighth minute move.

Celtic squandered multiple opportunities before the equaliser yet Iheanacho's overdue strike was swiftly followed by a dismissal for Astley as Martin O'Neill's team re entered the championship contention.

Earlier Hearts manager Derek McInnes expressed regret over his squads lacklustre performance against league basement dwellers Livingston.

The Jambos hold a slender one point lead over second placed Rangers who triumphed 4-2 over Dundee United on Saturday to momentarily seize top spot for the first time in over two years.

Supported by 7000 supporters at Almondvale Hearts were caught off guard early as Stevie May put Livingston in front.

The capital club responded with strikes from Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga.

However a pass from Craig Halkett to Islam Chesnokov was picked off resulting in Lewis Smith's 58th minute leveller.

Hearts ire intensified in added time as Marc Leonard received his marching orders for halting Robbie Muirhead's clear chance on goal.

"Definitely two points lost. We conceded two really sloppy goals. We arrived with plenty of drive the supporters showed up and I felt we seemed prepared for it," McInnes remarked.

"We ought to have managed the ball better and kept command of the match but we failed by surrendering that dominance and influence."

"Once you concede with thirty minutes left it shifts the mindset as we must push forward once more. Livingston as the leagues strugglers then had something to defend."