Celtic moved one win closer to a fourth Scottish Premiership title in a row after eventually seeing off a stubborn St Mirren in Paisley, with the 5-2 scoreline arguably flattering the visitors at the SMiSA Stadium.
This prime-time Saturday evening showdown produced a proper advert for Scottish football as a frenetic opening saw Saints spurn a host of chances before Jeff Schlupp's cool finish in off the far post gave Celtic the lead against the run of play.
If that goal had something special about it, the Buddies' equaliser was a stunner as Declan John stepped up to dispatch a free-kick in off the bar from 20 yards out.
Celtic were back in front before half time as Ryan Alebiosu brought down Daizen Maeda with a clumsy challenge and Arne Engels stepped up to dispatch his penalty down the middle.
Stephen Robinson's men weren't for quitting though and equalised again as Killian Phillips smashed a shot into the ground which looped over Kasper Schmeichel and into the net.
Celtic rung the changes as captain Callum McGregor was among those hooked, but it worked to perfection for Brendan Rodgers' side as Yang was picked out at the back post by Reo Hatate to plant his header beyond Hemming to regain the lead, before late goals from Maeda and Yang once more gave the final scoreline some gloss as Celtic moved within just four wins of securing another league title.
The title could be confirmed at St Johnstone on April 6th should Celtic win their next games.
It's been an absolute blockbuster of a Saturday night showdown in Paisley, so stick with us as we bring you all the reaction LIVE right here on Record Sport.
Key Events
Robinson riled up at penalty non-award
Stephen Robinson was left seething at the non-award of a penalty by the VAR at a crucial point of this absorbing contest and you can read all about that, as well as the rest of the St Mirren manager's reaction right here.
Brendan Rodgers reaction
Brendan Rodgers revealed Yang's visiting girlfriend was the secret reason behind his stunning form in recent weeks. You can read all about that and the manager's reaction to tonight's blockbuster victory on the title trail in Paisley right here.
Pundits baffled by penalty non-award
The Sky Sports pundits were perplexed at a St Mirren penalty non-award in tonight's contest, with a unanimous verdict coming from all three pundits on duty. You can read all about it right here.
Kris Boyd can't believe Celtic penalty escape as Neil Lennon and James McFadden left equally baffled
Engels post-match
Arne Engels also spoke to the Sky Sports cameras after the game and the Belgian loved the impact of the subs in tonight's contest.
Yeah, I think really important. If you see Yang coming in, it's amazing. It's every week that the guys that are coming in has a lot of impact. We have a really strong squad and that helps us during the year. It's unbelievable to see.
I think that I always want to try and help the team and, if the gaffer puts me there [in the Callum McGregor role], then it's my job to do it. I can play every position in the midfield and I'm trying always my best, so I'm glad to help the team there.
Like I said before the game, we just need to look at the next game, and that's what we always do. Now again, it's a box ticked. We just need to keep on going and keep on working every day and then hopefully, in the end, we are there.
Schlupp post-match
Jeff Schlupp got the Celtic scoring train rolling this evening and the Ghanaian utility man's influence is growing by the game in a Celtic shirt. He spoke to Sky Sports in the aftermath of tonight's contest and was keen to stress the importance of getting the result at a tough venue, on a tough surface.
Today was all about the result, to be honest. Quite a scruffy game, difficult pitch to deal with for both sides, but in the end you've got to find a way to win and I think we managed that .
Yeah, definitely [it was going to be a battle], every game is tough in this league, especially away from home, but I thought we dealt with it well. A professional performance and we got it done in the end with some great goals and some great impacts off the bench as well which really helped us and we managed to get the win in the end.
When can Celtic win the title?
Celtic's win at St Mirren coupled with Rangers' latest collapse against Motherwell moves the Hoops even closer to title 55.
And Brendan Rodgers' Treble-chasers are well on course to be crowned champions BEFORE the Premiership split. Here's their date of destiny.
Player Ratings
The ratings are in, see how your favourites got on on the scorecards.
St Mirren: Hemming 7; Alebiosu 6; Fraser 6; Gogic 7; Taylor 6; John 7; O’Hara 7; Boyd-Munce 7 (Roldan Idowu 83 3); Phillips 8 (Kiltie 77 3); Mandron 7 (Scott 58 4); Olusanya 8 (Oseni 78 3).
Celtic: Schmeichel 8; Johnston 6; Carter-Vickers 6; Trusty 4 (Scales 27, 5); Schlupp 7; McGregor 6 (McCowan 64 7); Hatate 6; Engels 6; Kuhn 5 (Yang 8); Maeda 7 (Kenny 94 2); Idah 5 (Jota 64 6).
Ref watch: Matthew MacDermid. The whistler had his work cut out with so much going on but he managed to keep a firm grip.
Man of the Match: Yang. It might have been a late cameo but it was a hugely important one. The Korean kid turned the game in Celtic’s tide.
Talking Points
Well what a stunner of a game that was in Paisley. We've got you covered with all the talking points right here.
Full-time: St Mirren 2 Celtic 5
It's full-time in Paisley as Celtic eventually run away with it to finish 5-2 winners. The scoreline may flatter Celtic after a superb St Mirren display but the champions' quality eventually shone through.
Goals from Schlupp, an Engels penalty, a Yang double and Maeda were enough to see off the Saints, who had John and Phillips on the scoresheet.
GOAL: St Mirren 2 Celtic 5
It's another goal for Yang as the Korean winger completes a terrific cameo with his second header of the game.
Schlupp hits the byline brilliantly and digs out his cross to the back post where Yang is waiting to nod home superbly.
Johnny Kenny is now on for Maeda for the final moments.
St Mirren 2 Celtic 5
Superb
There's not much else to say about that goal as Maeda made the most of what was a hopeful ball over the top, before making the chance his own and firing it beyond Hemming to seal the points.
2-4 in Paisley.
GOAL: St Mirren 2-4 Celtic
Celtic seal the points with just a couple of minutes left on the clock as Daizen Maeda does brilliantly to manoeuvre the ball onto his left foot and open up the space for a cool finish past Hemming.
What a goal.
St Mirren 2 Celtic 4.
Saints penalty shout
It's more from the fans that the shout is going up, but Alistair Johnston does catch Idowu in the box. He does take the ball as well.
Schmeichel claims
The big keeper is up well to clutch a Saints cross and keep the score at 2-3.
Engels fires over
Marcus Fraser clips Maeda but the referee plays advantage, with the ball worked wide for Yang, who squares it for an Engels shot, but it's over the bar.
The Saints defender picks up a yellow in the aftermath.
POST: Celtic
Luke McCowan unleashes a spectacular effort that cracks off the post with Hemming not close to it.
Celtic have won a corner in the meantime.
GOAL DISALLOWED: Celtic
Yang has the ball in the net again but the flag is up for offside.
It's a top finish there from the sub but he's gone too early.
Still 2-3.
So close
Saints go close to another equaliser as Richard Taylor gets up well, but can only head wide from five or six yards out.
That's a big chance, but it remains 2-3.
Saints corner
Oulsanya gets in behind and wins another corner for his side as Engels gets back to deflect it behind.
Hemming save
It's a good save from the Saints keeper as he gets down low to keep out Luke McCowan's strike.
Celtic back in front
Celtic may not have been at their best, but their goals this evening have had all the usual hallmarks of class.
Hatate picked out Yang brilliantly with the cross and the substitute made no mistake with a bullet header beyond Hemming's desperate dive.
How has that stayed out?
Celtic have three goal-bound shots blocked in about eight seconds as Yang, McCowan and Maeda see their efforts blocked by a determined Saints defence.
It's still 3-2, but we're not sure how.
GOAL: St Mirren 2 Celtic 3
Celtic take the lead for the third time this evening as Hatate picks out Yang at the back post with an excellent cross and the Korean winger plants his header past Hemming.
Another top goal to add to this game's ever-growing collection!
St Mirren 2 Celtic 3.
Two Saints bookings
Killian Phillips is into the book after he catches Engels, as is Alex Gogic after a pretty blatant obstruction on Maeda.
Captain Hook(-ed)
It's been a below-par Celtic performance so far, but it's not often you see Callum McGregor forced to walk the plank in terms of being substituted.
Celtic subs
Jota is on for Celtic as he replaces Adam Idah. Callum McGregor is brought off for Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn is replaced by Yang.
