The Terrors required a victory and an eight-goal swing in goal difference to avoid the drop but they were unable to produce a great escape at Fir Park.
Kevin van Veen took his incredible scoring run to 11 consecutive matches by breaking the deadlock after five minutes – setting a new Scottish post-war record in the process.
United responded through Jamie McGrath’s penalty and Steven Fletcher coolly fired Jim Goodwin’s side ahead early in the second half, but Motherwell would come surging back.
Blair Spittal levelled after 69 minutes before Max Johnston grabbed a winner shortly after having a goal ruled out for offside.
Spittal saw a shot gathered at the second time of asking as the home side threatened in the first minute.
The opening goal arrived after five minutes when Sean Goss dispossessed Glenn Middleton and slid a neat through ball to Van Veen, who coolly rounded the goalkeeper before slamming the ball into the net.
United were in desperate need of a response, and a good stop by Liam Kelly prevented Middleton drawing them level in the 10th minute. Fletcher was then denied an equaliser by an excellent goal-line clearance from Paul McGinn.
Van Veen almost doubled his tally after he connected with Stephen O’Donnell’s cross, only for his header to clip the crossbar and drift over the top.
Referee Steven MacLean awarded the visitors a penalty following a VAR check on the half-hour which showed Bevis Mugabi to have handled inside the area.
McGrath stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and he powerfully dispatched the ball beyond the reach of Kelly to restore parity for Goodwin’s men.
Mikael Mandron passed up a glorious chance to head Motherwell back in front when he failed to hit the target following good work from Van Veen.
Fletcher’s close-range header struck the outside of a post just before half-time, though the striker would complete the turnaround three minutes into the second half – giving their travelling supporters a glimmer of hope that they could orchestrate a miracle turnaround.
Peter Pawlett did well to link with McGrath before surging forward, and he teed-up Fletcher for the simplest of finishes past Kelly.
A superb save by Jack Newman prevented Mugabi’s point-blank header from finding the net and there was a further chance for Mandron before James Furlong’s low drive somehow stayed out after striking a post and flashing across the goal-line.
The equaliser eventually arrived with 21 minutes remaining on the clock, Spittal drilling the ball beyond the despairing Newman from the edge of the box.
Johnston saw a goal ruled out for offside as the home side continued to press and Goss really should have taken on a shot himself rather than squaring the ball to Van Veen who was hampered by a tight angle.
Johnston was not to denied second time around when he found the net again with eight minutes left on the clock, turning home Furlong’s cross to put beyond any doubt that the Tannadice side would be relegated.
Pittodrie was sold out, with fans paying tribute to the Gothenburg Greats as the club marked the 40th anniversary of their Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, but the Dons were never at the races and had goalkeeper Kelle Roos to thank for earning them a point after he saved a Kevin Nisbet penalty.
Talisman Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes suffered a hamstring injury and several other players also visibly pulled up in the latter stages, with Robson saying: “I think you saw three or four of our players with hamstring issues and that comes from emotion. It’s the emotion of the game and where we were.
“We’ll perform miles better than that next week, I’m confident of that. I’m happy that we got the point when we weren’t at our best.
“We had to make lots of subs and I thought they all did well when they came on. It gives me something to think about, but the boys that have played have done well for me over the past three months.”
Hibs boss Lee Johnson feels his side are only going to improve after an impressive performance at Pittodrie, and refused to concede defeat in their bid for a third-placed finish, although he admitted poor form earlier in the season will prove decisive.
“The realist is telling me that (third place is gone), of course,” he said.
“But I still believe that if we perform like that for three, five, 10, 20 games, that’s exactly what I’m after. The success then comes to us.
“If we don’t make third, it won’t be this moment that has cost us.
“I think we’re building nicely and I think our supporters have to look positively at next season and how powerful we can be in the division.”
The Hoops’ 1-1 draw at Aberdeen at lunchtime had the early arrivals at Ibrox cheering the news before kick-off although it took some time before the visitors succumbed to the pressure.
The road to an expected home win began when the 21-year-old Portuguese striker, who arrived on loan from Wolves last month, prised open the Livi defence in the 40th minute before winger Rabbi Matondo added a second in first-half added time.
Liv, without a win in 15 previous league games, had no response and Gers midfielder Todd Cantwell knocked in a third in the 56th minute and it could have been more as Philippe Clement’s side moved three points behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand.
The Belgian boss, mindful of a busy spell of fixtures coming up, reshuffled his pack from last week’s win at St Mirren, making six changes
Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Ross McCausland, Silva and Matondo came in, with Ridvan Yilmaz, John Souttar, Nicolas Raskin, Dujon Sterling, Scott Wright and Cyriel Dessers dropping out with new signing, Colombian winger Oscar Cortes, starting on the bench.
David Carson was handed his debut for the visitors after signing from Inverness with goalkeeper Shamal George, Shaun Donnellan and Mo Sangare reinstated for what proved to be a tough afternoon.
George palmed away a powerful drive from Jack and then clawed away a goal-bound corner from Gers skipper James Tavernier as Rangers pressed from referee John Beaton’s first whistle.
In the 14th minute Livi survived a melee yards from goal after George had fumbled a Barisic cross before Balogun had to be replaced by Souttar six minutes later after sustaining a head knock.
The sound of impatient grumbling from the stands grew louder before the Light Blues broke the deadlock.
Matondo’s powerful strike was brilliantly tipped over the bar by George but from the resultant Barisic corner, hooked back towards goal by Connor Goldson, the ball fell to Silva and his deflected strike from eight yards found the net – the goal standing after a VAR check for a possible foul in the busy penalty area.
When Matondo’s long-distance effort after stepping inside on to his right foot clipped Jamie Brandon and sped past George in the second of four added minutes, the points were secure.
Livi had twice come from behind to draw with second-bottom Ross County on Tuesday night but their attacking threat against Rangers was all-but absent.
Cantwell confidently turned a Ross McCausland cut-back past the helpless George from 12 yards for his fourth goal in seven games.
Gers fans got the chance to see 20-year-old Cortes, on loan from Lens, when he came on in the 60th minute along with fellow substitutes Tom Lawrence and Yilmaz.
George twice denied McCausland and Silva’s hitch-kick from 10 yards went inches past the post as Rangers attacked incessantly to increase their lead.
Dessers, on for Silva, flashed a shot high over the bar with 10 minutes remaining and Yilmaz cracked the bar with an effort from the edge of the box but Rangers had to settle for three goals.
Notwithstanding the calibre of opposition, it was another commanding win for the Light Blues who now have Celtic in their sights.
The club issued the plea on the day of the meeting with the Spaniards after the Green Brigade fans’ group encouraged supporters to “courageously fly the flag for Palestine” amid a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
“We have witnessed death, violence and destruction in the Holy Land in recent weeks, with thousands of people – men, women and children – killed, injured and displaced,” read Celtic’s statement.
“We are witnessing a tragedy of horrendous scale. As it continues, everyone at Celtic prays for all who have been affected.
“We also hope and pray for peace and for humanitarian support to reach those who are in need and in fear.
“Many of our colleagues, supporters, friends and families have been affected by these events.
“Against this backdrop of conflict and pain, sport can promote peace and demonstrate humanity and empathy for all who continue to suffer.
“For the club’s UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid this evening, Celtic and Atletico Madrid players and coaching staff will wear black armbands, as a show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict.
“The club is also making a contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The club recognises that our supporters hold personal views to which everyone is entitled. As a club open to all, we all belong at Celtic Park.
“Celtic Park is where we come to support our football club. Recognising this, respecting the gravity of the tragedy unfolding and its impact on communities in Scotland and across the world, and in line with other clubs, leagues and associations, we ask that banners, flags and symbols relating to the conflict and those countries involved in it are not displayed at Celtic Park at this time.
“As we approach this crucial fixture, as ever, we sincerely thank our fans for their positive support of the players and the team.
“We thank you very much for your continued support of Celtic Football Club.”
A section of Celtic’s support has long held an affiliation with the Palestinian cause, with the club having previously been sanctioned by UEFA for banners or flags showing support for Palestine.
Large numbers of Hoops fans held up the Palestine flag before Sunday’s match away to Hearts and the Green Brigade is intent on ensuring there is a repeat at the Atletico match, setting it on a collision course with the club’s hierarchy.
“For those unable to obtain a flag, the Green Brigade will distribute thousands of flags outside the stadium,” the group said in a statement released on Tuesday.
“While it would be easier to distribute flags inside, we are prohibited from bringing the flags into the stadium. We respect the right of all fans who wish not to participate in such an action, however equally we ask that the same respect and freedom is afforded to all fans who do.”
With the match goalless in trying weather conditions, the visitors had youngster Lennon Miller sent off in first-half stoppage time.
Livi made the most of their man advantage after the break as they grabbed all three points.
Anderson flashed in the opener in the 53rd minute and Kelly’s penalty nine minutes later sealed victory.
In a lively opening, both sides forced corners inside the first two minutes. From the second, Livi defender Ayo Obileye glanced his header across goal and wide from Sean Kelly’s delivery from the left.
That opportunity encouraged the home side and they enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges before almost getting the breakthrough they sought in the eighth minute.
Joel Nouble threaded a pass wide for Dan MacKay and the on-loan Hibernian winger brilliantly picked out the run of Stephen Kelly with his cutback.
However, twice the midfielder saw efforts at goal blocked by the retreating Motherwell rearguard.
It was a day for defensive bravery and at the other end Sean Kelly was resolute as he got his foot in the way of a Theo Bair shot on the break.
It looked like the kind of game that was going to take something special to find a breakthrough, and it almost came in the 30th minute.
Motherwell were awarded a free-kick on the halfway line and, spotting Shamal George off his line, defender Dan Casey attempted an outrageous effort on goal that the Livi keeper scrambled back to tip over his crossbar.
In first-half injury time, the Fir Park men were reduced to 10 men in the game’s decisive moment.
Anderson held the ball and fed the supporting MacKay, whose run took him beyond the ‘Well defence, only for the covering Miller to clip his heels and send the wing-back sprawling.
The VAR check confirmed Don Robertson’s decision to red card the youngster, but Sean Kelly could not take advantage as he sent the free-kick straight into the arms of brother Liam in the visitors’ goal.
It took just seven minutes of the second half for Livi to find the opener though.
Faced with defender Brodie Spencer, MacKay left him for dead and flashed in a low cross from the right that Anderson flicked in at the far post from just inside the six-yard box.
The home side rammed home their advantage as they doubled their lead in the 62nd minute.
An attack down the left was halted when James Penrice was caught late by Bevis Mugabi just inside the box and whistler Robertson pointed to the spot.
Sean Kelly got the better of sibling Liam in the ‘Well goal as he sent him the wrong way to find the net.
Livi thought they had a second spot-kick with 15 minutes remaining when Jason Holt’s heels were clipped by substitute Georgie Gent.
But a VAR check indicated the offence could had taken place outside the box and Sean Kelly could not make anything of the free-kick wide on the right as the home side saw out time comfortably.
Midfielder Mohamed Diomande fired the home side ahead with just over a minute played and wide-man Oscar Cortes doubled that lead after 37 minutes with his first goal as a Light Blues player, with striker Cyriel Dessers adding a third and fourth just before and after the break.
Philippe Clement’s side kept pushing and substitute Fabio Silva scored a fifth just after the hour mark with Rangers’ biggest home win of the season piling pressure on Celtic, who take on Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday knowing there is no room for error.
The Ibrox side, who were paired with Benfica in the Europa League last-16 draw on Friday, were high on confidence after winning their previous nine matches.
However, they were without injured Todd Cantwell with Tom Lawrence one of four changes along with Ridvan Yilmaz, Dujon Sterling and Dessers. Kemar Roofe was back on the bench after two months out and would make a late appearance.
Hearts had reason to believe they could cause an upset despite three defeats out of three against the Govan side this season.
Steven Naismith’s men were unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions and captain Lawrence Shankland led the league goalscoring charts with 18 goals in 26 counters for club and country so far this season.
However, the Tynecastle outfit, who had Nathaniel Atkinson, Jorge Grant and Kenneth Vargas back in the side, were stunned by the loss of the early goal.
Hearts were in their shape when 20-year-old Cortes came in from the left and set up Diomande but he sized up the shot from 20 yards and drilled the ball low past Gorgie keeper Zander Clark, his second Rangers goal after scoring his first last week against St Johnstone.
The football was frantic.
A lung-bursting run by Dessers ended up with his shot saved by Clark, who made an even better save from skipper James Tavernier’s powerful drive moments later.
Dessers should have had the ball in the net in the 18th minute after Clark had parried a long-distance drive from Yilmaz but the Jambos keeper saved his header and then his shot, although the offside flag was up.
The Gers striker then headed a Yilmaz cross past the post with only Clark to beat.
Just as Hearts worked their way back into the game, they conceded a second with Lawrence taking a Sterling pass and motoring forward before squaring for Cortes and he curled the ball low past the diving Clark, who was soon picking the ball out of his net again when Dessers side-footed a John Souttar cross past him.
The Jambos defence failed to deal with Sterling’s cross into the box early in the second half and Dessers lashed the ball into the net from close range, the goal surviving a VAR check for handball.
Silva and Ross McCausland replaced Lawrence and Sterling before Tavernier’s cut-back across the six-yard box evaded the sliding Dessers.
But there was no respite for the visitors.
In the 65th minute, midfielder John Lundstram slid in Silva and his angled-drive beat Clark and found the far corner.
The distressed Gorgie side kept on going.
Gers keeper Jack Butland was beaten by a Shankland header but the ball rebounded off the post and Rangers escaped, with Butland making a decent save from Grant’s 25-yard free-kick and substitute Kyosuke Tagawa’s curling strike.
However, another clean sheet was registered by the home side and they will travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday with increasing title belief.
The Jambos needed a win for their bid for third place in the cinch Premiership and skipper Lawrence Shankland sensationally opened the scoring after less than a minute.
It took until added time in the first half for Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell to level.
Attacker Fashion Sakala put Rangers ahead in the 47th minute but in the final seconds of three added minutes Kuol took advantage of some slackness to fire in the equaliser.
Michael Beale’s side are unbeaten in 19 home league games, with 16 victories and three draws, which is a positive.
But with Aberdeen dismissing St Mirren at Pittodrie, Hearts cannot catch the Dons, who will finish best of the rest outside the Old Firm.
Rangers, who will be runners-up behind Celtic, finish their season with a trip to St Mirren on Saturday but already planning is under way for next season.
The Light Blues announced before the game that 25-year-old midfielder Kieran Dowell would be joining the club from Norwich.
The club also asked fans to stay behind to pay tribute to Allan McGregor, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield and Filip Helander, all of whom will leave in the summer.
McGregor and Morelos started the game but ideas that it would be simply a sentimental night of reflection ended within seconds, following a long throw into the Rangers penalty area from Hearts defender James Hill.
Jambos midfielder Peter Haring helped it on, Rangers skipper James Tavernier tried to clear but only to Shankland whose header hit team-mate Josh Ginnelly and fell back to him to bundle over the line from two yards.
After a long VAR check referee John Beaton pointed to the centre circle and Hearts were officially in front.
Minutes later Haring sent Ginnelly through and his drive after turning defender Leon King was beaten away by McGregor.
It was not the start the home fans expected and the Rangers reaction was hesitant.
Hearts keeper Zander Clark had to deal with King’s long-range drive which deflected off Hill and Nicolas Raskin’s thunderbolt from distance before tipping a Sakala drive on to the post and behind.
Jambos interim boss Steven Naismith, a former Rangers striker, was booked for throwing on a ball to waste time just before the interval but there was time for Cantwell to get the break of the ball off Hill to run through and confidently slot the ball past Clark, with Morelos carrying on a feud with Naismith that had lasted a few minutes.
Two minutes after the restart Sakala took advantage of a slack header by defender Toby Sibbick at the edge of the box to squeeze the ball past Clark with the backtracking Hill unable to keep it out.
In the 64th minute Arfield got a huge cheer from the home fans when he came on as substitute along with Rabbi Matondo, with Glen Kamara and King making way.
Arfield’s curling shot from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute was pushed behind by Clark and the visitors survived the corner, albeit they seemed to be running out of belief.
Arfield had a shot from six yards blocked by Clark before Cantwell fired the rebound wide of the target.
Morelos got his acclaim when he was replaced by Scott Wright and the home side spurned more opportunities as the game fizzled out, only for Kuol, on for Alan Forrest in the 83rd minute, to pounce at the end to spoil the going away party.
The Jambos needed a win for their bid for third place in the cinch Premiership and skipper Lawrence Shankland sensationally opened the scoring after less than a minute.
It took until added time in the first half for Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell to level.
Attacker Fashion Sakala put Rangers ahead in the 47th minute but in the final seconds of three added minutes Kuol took advantage of some slackness to fire in the equaliser.
Michael Beale’s side are unbeaten in 19 home league games, with 16 victories and three draws, which is a positive.
But with Aberdeen dismissing St Mirren at Pittodrie, Hearts cannot catch the Dons, who will finish best of the rest outside the Old Firm.
Rangers, who will be runners-up behind Celtic, finish their season with a trip to St Mirren on Saturday but already planning is under way for next season.
The Light Blues announced before the game that 25-year-old midfielder Kieran Dowell would be joining the club from Norwich.
The club also asked fans to stay behind to pay tribute to Allan McGregor, Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield and Filip Helander, all of whom will leave in the summer.
McGregor and Morelos started the game but ideas that it would be simply a sentimental night of reflection ended within seconds, following a long throw into the Rangers penalty area from Hearts defender James Hill.
Jambos midfielder Peter Haring helped it on, Rangers skipper James Tavernier tried to clear but only to Shankland whose header hit team-mate Josh Ginnelly and fell back to him to bundle over the line from two yards.
After a long VAR check referee John Beaton pointed to the centre circle and Hearts were officially in front.
Minutes later Haring sent Ginnelly through and his drive after turning defender Leon King was beaten away by McGregor.
It was not the start the home fans expected and the Rangers reaction was hesitant.
Hearts keeper Zander Clark had to deal with King’s long-range drive which deflected off Hill and Nicolas Raskin’s thunderbolt from distance before tipping a Sakala drive on to the post and behind.
Jambos interim boss Steven Naismith, a former Rangers striker, was booked for throwing on a ball to waste time just before the interval but there was time for Cantwell to get the break of the ball off Hill to run through and confidently slot the ball past Clark, with Morelos carrying on a feud with Naismith that had lasted a few minutes.
Two minutes after the restart Sakala took advantage of a slack header by defender Toby Sibbick at the edge of the box to squeeze the ball past Clark with the backtracking Hill unable to keep it out.
In the 64th minute Arfield got a huge cheer from the home fans when he came on as substitute along with Rabbi Matondo, with Glen Kamara and King making way.
Arfield’s curling shot from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute was pushed behind by Clark and the visitors survived the corner, albeit they seemed to be running out of belief.
Arfield had a shot from six yards blocked by Clark before Cantwell fired the rebound wide of the target.
Morelos got his acclaim when he was replaced by Scott Wright and the home side spurned more opportunities as the game fizzled out, only for Kuol, on for Alan Forrest in the 83rd minute, to pounce at the end to spoil the going away party.
The Terrors’ 2-1 defeat at Livingston on Saturday was their third straight loss, after three consecutive wins, and kept them bottom of the cinch Premiership, two points behind Ross County and three behind Killie, with two fixtures remaining.
Jim Goodwin’s side take on Motherwell at Fir Park in the final fixture of the season on Sunday but Middleton’s focus for now is on the Rugby Park outfit.
The 23-year-old former Rangers attacker admits Saturday’s defeat in West Lothian “really hurt” and hopes to end an “up and down” season with a successful survival bid.
He said: “From minute one of the game it is going to be about who’s calm, who’s calm on the ball, who trusts themselves, who trusts each other in the team.
“It will be about carrying out the game-plan that is set out in front of each team. I am fully confident we will be able to do that.
“The boys that are in the changing room, the experience in the changing room, I am more than confident we have the calm heads in the key moments of the game to carry out what is needed.
“We have to remain positive. It is still in our hands.
“As tough as the last few weeks have been, we have taken that on the chin.
“We have addressed that, we have spoken about that and the gaffer has made it clear that, for all that has gone on, it is still in our hands and we have to take full advantage of that. There is certainly no hiding place from now on.
“This club shouldn’t be in this position with two games to go. It is nowhere good enough and everyone knows that. (But) it is all very well saying that. It is up to us to carry out the job we need to do.”
The midfielder seized on a mistake from Easter Road midfielder Dylan Levitt in the 57th minute to fire home and lift Saints from 11th to eighth in the cinch Premiership.
It was a third win in seven matches for Levein, who took the reins early last month when the Perth men sat bottom of the table.
The Saints boss made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Motherwell the previous weekend as James Brown and Chris Kane dropped to the bench, with 16-year-old Fran Franczak – making his first start – and Max Kucheriavyi added to the line-up.
Hibs boss Nick Montgomery also made two tweaks to the team that won at Livingston as Lewis Miller and Jimmy Jeggo replaced Rory Whittaker and the suspended Joe Newell.
The hosts started brightly and DJ Jaiyesimi headed wide from a Franczak cross in the third minute before Kucheriavyi saw a tame low shot from the edge of the box easily saved by Marshall.
Hibs’ only attempt of the first half came in the ninth minute when Elie Youan curled a shot just wide of the far post from inside box.
Saints thought they had gone ahead in the 27th minute but DJ Jaiyesimi was deemed to be impeding goalkeeper David Marshall from an offside position as Kucheriavyi’s header from a Matt Smith corner was inadvertently diverted into the net by Hibs midfielder Levitt.
Following a first half of few opportunities at either end, things livened up after the break. A minute into the second period, Hibs forward Martin Boyle curled a free-kick just beyond the far post from wide on the left.
But Saints started to get themselves on top and Kucheriavyi saw a low shot well saved by Marshall in the 54th minute after good work by Jaiyesimi to set him up.
The Ukrainian midfielder should have scored a minute later but he was denied again by the Hibs keeper after being picked out on the edge of the six-yard box by a Tony Gallagher cross.
Saints made the breakthrough in the 57th minute when Levitt, while attempting to play out from his own box after a short goal-kick, passed the ball straight to Carey, who thundered a powerful angled strike in off the inside of the post from 20 yards out.
Marshall made further saves to prevent Franczak and substitute Kane increasing the hosts’ advantage.
On a miserable day for the visitors, there was a minor consolation in the 88th minute when striker Dylan Vente had a red card overturned following a VAR review but they rarely looked like finding a way back into the match as they slipped from fourth to sixth in the table.
Reports claim the 35-year-old, currently injured, has decided to call time on his career at the end of the season.
Davidson, who earned himself a testimonial at the Perth club, was signed in the summer of 2009 from Livingston along with Dave Mackay, and has since become a fan favourite.
Injury deprived him of a Scottish Cup winners’ medal in 2014 but he was part of the St Johnstone team who won the trophy in 2021.
Ahead of the final cinch Premiership game of the season on Sunday, when Livingston visit McDiarmid Park, interim boss MacLean was asked about Davidson’s impact at the club.
He said: “Where do I start? Him and Dave Mackay got brought into the club on a double deal and it is probably the best bit of business the club have ever done.
“He has been my team-mate, I have coached him – unfortunately I have not managed him yet, that would have been tough I suppose – but what a guy.
“The best word I could use to describe Murray is that he’s a warrior.
“He has been a warrior for this football club and a great servant to it.
“He will be missed, as a friend as well. Yes, it will be emotional on Sunday for him and everyone at the club.”
MacLean took over from Callum Davidson in April and ensured Saints’ Premiership status with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, following it up with a 3-3 draw at Ross County on Wednesday night.
Reports claim he is to be offered the manager’s job but the former St Johnstone striker said: “It is the same situation. I am just looking forward to Livingston.
“There has been no talks this week contrary to reports.
“The chairman and I said we would sit down and speak after the game and we will, when there is a conversation to be had, we will have that conversation.
“No change in my situation. Unfortunately I can’t give you any information. I am looking forward to Livingston and what will be will be.”
It was the second time in 11 days that the Jam Tarts had beaten the Dark Blues 3-2, and it extended their cinch Premiership unbeaten run to eight games.
The home side opened the scoring in the first half through Jordan McGhee before Hearts equalised after the break with an Alan Forrest goal.
The Dark Blues took the lead once more with a stunning strike from Lyall Cameron but Hearts secured all three points with two goals by their talismanic skipper.
The visitors came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Shankland hit a shot on the turn inside the Dundee box which clipped the outside of home keeper Trevor Carson’s right-hand post.
Dundee responded immediately with Luke McCowan bursting down the left before sending an inviting cross into the Hearts box but Amadou Bakayoko could only direct his shot at Jam Tarts keeper Zander Clark who made a comfortable save.
However, it was the home side who finally made the breakthrough in the 26th minute when McCowan fired in another pinpoint cross with McGhee heading past Clark.
Dundee came close to doubling their advantage shortly after with Shankland having to clear a Michael Mellon flick off his own line.
The Dark Blues were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second half with Owen Beck finding Lee Ashcroft six yards out with a free-kick but the centre-half fired well over the bar.
However, there was another goal in the 55th minute – and it was the Jam Tarts who scored it thanks to a moment of magic from Shankland.
The Scotland striker spun on the edge of the Dundee box, taking two defenders out of the game before teeing up Forrest who made no mistake firing past Carson.
Hearts were level for just four minutes before Dundee stormed into the lead again with Cameron sending a rocket from the edge of the box flying past Clark.
However, Hearts equalised once more in the 79th minute. Referee Graham Grainger judged that Ashcroft had handled a Shankland shot and pointed to the spot.
The striker, who had missed his three previous penalties, stepped up and although Carson managed to get a hand to the spot-kick he could not keep it out.
Dundee substitute Zach Robinson then passed up a gilt-edged opportunity when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Shankland though made no mistake in the 87th minute when he latched onto a ball from Kenneth Vargas before sending a shot past Carson with another clinical finish.
The midfielder was sent off by referee David Dickinson after bringing down Mark O’Hara midway through the second half of his side’s 2-2 cinch Premiership draw with St Mirren.
Hearts manager Steven Naismith said after the match: “I thought it was a foul to stop the game from a counter-attack. It was right in front of me, I didn’t think it was aggressive or even the speed I don’t think is excessive.”
A fast-track tribunal will be convened by the Scottish Football Association this week with Haring set to miss Saturday’s crucial encounter with Aberdeen if he loses the wrongful dismissal claim.
The Gorgie outfit will welcome the Sky Bet Championship side to Edinburgh on Sunday, July 30 in a 3pm kick-off.
It will be the first time the two clubs have met since a goalless draw in a friendly match at Tynecastle in August 1983 where the home side featured the likes of Henry Smith, Sandy Jardine, Gary Mackay and John Robertson in their line-up.
Although Hearts will announce more pre-season games in due course, the visit of Leeds will be the last chance for Jambos fans to see their favourites ahead of the start of a domestic and European campaign in August.
Steven Naismith’s side begin their cinch Premiership campaign with a trip to St Johnstone on August 5.
Hearts face Plymouth at their Spanish training camp on July 6 before taking on Dunfermline in another friendly match at East End Park three days later.
A goalkeeping error from Will Dennis was enough to ensure that Derek McInnes marked his 700th game in management with a defeat.
Dennis turned Lawrence Shankland’s shot into his own net after 18 minutes and, despite controlling possession for much of the game, the hosts were unable to come up with a response.
Hearts have leapfrogged St Mirren to move into the top three, while Killie have dropped to seventh having suffered their first league defeat at Rugby Park in six matches.
McInnes made two changes to the side that was held to a goalless draw against Ross County in their previous outing. Corrie Ndaba and Kyle Vassell were preferred to Rory McKenzie and Matthew Kennedy – who both began the game on the bench.
There were also two changes for Hearts, with Calem Nieuwenhof and Yutaro Oda handed starting berths.
The first chance of the match went the way of the hosts, Liam Donnelly blazing wide after David Watson had done well to keep the ball in play.
It was the hosts who had made the much brighter start and Ndaba had a shot that flew past the post before he then headed over after rising highest to meet Marley Watkins’ cross.
Hearts had struggled to create anything of note in an attacking sense, though it would take a good block from Lewis Mayo to divert Liam Boyce’s powerful effort behind for a corner.
A quick VAR check deemed there was no handball inside the area from the resulting corner before the visitors broke the deadlock two minutes later.
Shankland burst forward and angled a shot towards the Killie goal that slipped through the grasp of Dennis and into the net.
The home side passed up a glorious chance to level after Danny Armstrong picked out Watson but he was unable to work Zander Clark.
Much of the attacking threat from Hearts was coming on the break and Boyce was unable to take advantage after being released following some neat play from Nieuwenhof.
Boyce limped off on the half-hour mark to be replaced by Toby Sibbick, a setback to the striker who spent the majority of last season sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament.
There was a moment of controversy with five minutes remaining in the first half when Dennis rushed from his goal before clattering into Oda. The offside flag had been raised, though the keeper still was shown a yellow card and was spared a red after referee David Dickinson consulted VAR.
A fizzing cross by Armstrong evaded all inside the six-yard box and the winger would continue to torment the Hearts back-line when he found Ndaba, who saw his point-blank header kept out brilliantly by Clark on the stroke of half-time.
Watkins had a penalty claimed turned down after yet another VAR check just after the restart and for all the home side’s possession they were struggling to trouble the Hearts keeper.
Good work from Shankland led to Sibbick having a low drive blocked, while at the other end Donnelly’s strike cannoned back off the legs of a Hearts defender and away to safety.
Armstrong’s back-post header was easily smothered while Alex Cochrane and Alex Lowry both went close at the other end.
McInnes’ side would spurn two good chances in injury time, Stuart Findlay headed over Kennedy’s corner and then Donnelly blasted straight at Clark from inside the six-yard box.
The visitors took the lead in the first half with a well-worked move finished off by Jair Tavares and doubled their advantage after the break through Lewis Miller, who was sent off just minutes later.
Dundee grabbed what proved to be a late consolation goal with Owen Beck hitting the back of the net but the visitors held on to take all three points.
The result moves Hibs up to fifth in the table with the Dark Blues dropping down to seventh.
Dundee boss Tony Docherty and his Hibs counterpart Nick Montgomery kept faith with their teams that beat St Mirren and Kilmarnock respectively in the last games before the international break.
The visitors had an early appeal for a penalty in the eighth minute when Miller went down under a challenge in the home box by Amadou Bakayoko but referee Don Robertson saw no offence.
Hibs then had a clear-cut chance to open the scoring when Tavares teed up Josh Campbell but he blasted over when he should have tested Dundee keeper Trevor Carson.
However, Hibs stormed into the lead in the 16th minute when Tavares played the ball wide to Dylan Vente who cut the ball back for Tavares and he made no mistake, rifling low past the exposed Carson.
The hosts came close to equalising just six minutes later when Bakayoko played in Luke McCowan who hit a crisp, low shot with Hibs keeper David Marshall pulling off a stunning stop, diving to his left.
Five minutes after the restart, Dundee’s on-loan Liverpool defender Beck embarked on a storming run deep into the Hibs half before being chopped down by Rocky Bushiri with referee Robertson deciding a yellow card was sufficient punishment.
Hibs then doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Joe Newell swung a corner in from the right with Miller rising highest to head past Carson.
Just five minutes later, Miller’s joy turned to despair as he was shown what was his second yellow card of the afternoon – quickly followed by a red – for a foul on Beck.
From the resulting free-kick the ball was worked to Bakayoko but, with the goal at his mercy, the Sierra Leone international fired straight at Marshall who gratefully gathered.
Dundee grabbed a lifeline in the 86th minute – Beck’s initial shot was blocked but he reacted quickest to rifle home the rebound.
Marshall then made a stunning stop from a McCowan curler as Dundee pressed for a dramatic late equaliser with Hibs holding on to head back to Edinburgh with all three points in the bag.
There had been few clear-cut chances heading into the final quarter although David Marshall saved brilliantly from Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda and Martin Boyle missed a glorious opportunity for Hibs.
Celtic sparked into life after making a series of attacking substitutions. Mikey Johnston forced another impressive stop from Marshall and James Forrest hit the bar but Hibs held on.
The result puts Celtic eight points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership but Rangers can cut the gap when they host Hearts on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers had started with the same team that played the majority of the Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid as Paulo Bernardo made his first start for the club following his early introduction for the injured Reo Hatate on Wednesday.
Hibs started with Boyle up front alongside Dylan Vente, with Jair Tavares making only his fourth start for the club on the right wing. Rocky Bushiri replaced Paul Hanlon in central defence following the previous weekend’s 4-0 defeat by Rangers.
Celtic dominated possession early on but it was sloppy passing from Hibs that led to their first two half-chances. Bernardo shot just wide from 22 yards before Marshall denied Callum McGregor and Luis Palma hit the rebound wide.
Anthony Ralston replaced Alistair Johnston after the Celtic right-back took a Bushiri clearance flush in the face.
Ralston and fellow full-back Greg Taylor were taking up positions in the middle of the park but Celtic were struggling to break Hibs down.
The only time they got in behind in the first half saw Taylor’s low cross reach Bernardo, who could not get ball out of his feet but forced it away from Marshall only for the goalkeeper to recover brilliantly to block from Maeda.
Hibernian’s only moments of note in the first half saw Elie Youan shoot straight at Joe Hart after starting a counter-attack himself and Vente fire over following a set-piece.
Hibernian’s best chance came just after the interval when Jordan Obita curled in a perfect cross for Boyle, but the forward could not keep his volley down from six yards.
Rodgers brought on four attacking substitutions before the midway point of the second half as Johnston made his first appearance for the club since March 2022, after spending last season on loan with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal.
The subs made their mark as Celtic began to pin their hosts back. Oh Hyeon-gyu had a difficult header saved before Marshall threw himself to his right to parry Johnston’s long-range strike.
Good play from Johnston saw David Turnbull try to set up Oh but his low cross was turned behind before James Forrest volleyed against the bar from the resulting corner.
The final chance saw Forrest turn Turnbull’s low cross past the near post in stoppage time.
The champions led 2-1 before substitute Daizen Maeda’s red card midway through the second half paved the way for Lee Johnson’s side to fight back and claim a crucial victory in their quest for European football, with Hoops keeper Scott Bain badly at fault for the hosts’ last two goals.
The win ensures Hibs can finish no lower than fifth place – which will be enough for a crack at continental competition if Celtic beat Inverness in the Scottish Cup final – and they now have the opportunity to end the campaign on the ultimate high by pipping Hearts to fourth if they win at Tynecastle on Saturday.
For Celtic, it was a third game in a row without a victory since they secured the title earlier this month.
There were two changes to the Hibs side that started Sunday’s defeat by Rangers as Josh Campbell and Chris Cadden were replaced by Jake Doyle-Hayes and Lewis Miller.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou opted to make six changes to the team that was held 2-2 by St Mirren at the weekend as goalkeeper Bain, Yuki Kobayashi, Alexandro Bernabei, Sead Haksabanovic, Hyeongyu Oh and Liel Abada all came into the starting line-up.
The first half was a lively affair with plenty chances at both ends. But it was Celtic who went in a goal ahead at the break when Reo Hatate calmly converted a 41st minute penalty after Callum McGregor was wiped out by a late challenge from Lewis Stevenson moments after the Celtic captain had failed to get a clean connection on a cut-back from substitute Maeda, who had replaced the injured Haksabanovic in the 22nd minute.
Hibs sent on Campbell for James Jeggo at the start of the second half and they got themselves back into the game.
They signalled their intent when Kevin Nisbet saw a firm low angled shot blocked by Bain in the 50th minute. And two minutes later Elie Youan volleyed home a stunning equaliser from just inside the box after Campbell’s cross from the right was headed out by Anthony Ralston.
Parity lasted only six minutes, however, as Oh capitalised on some slack defending from the hosts to fire home a loose ball from close range.
Celtic suffered a game-changing blow in the 67th minute when Maeda was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Will Fish.
It looked like the hosts were also going to be reduced to 10 men just three minutes later when Doyle-Hayes was red carded for a cynical trip on Oh but it was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR review.
The Hibees took full advantage of this reprieve and Nisbet equalised with a penalty in the 75th minute after Miller was grappled in the box by Ralston following a Doyle-Hayes corner.
Youan then put the Edinburgh side ahead in the 80th minute when he stepped inside Oh and unleashed a 25-yard strike which was fumbled into the net by Bain.
The Celtic keeper was badly at fault again six minutes later when he allowed Paul Hanlon’s header at the back post from a Miller cross to squirm past him.
The visitors took an early lead as the unfortunate Jordan Obita got the final touch as he slid in with Scott Pittman to turn the ball into his own net.
Martin Boyle pulled Hibs level with a stunning solo goal early in the second half but Bruce Anderson restored Livi’s advantage with a header just a minute later.
And another Livingston substitute, Mo Sangare, heaped further misery on Hibs as he lashed home a spectacular third for the visitors from just outside the area.
Josh Campbell got on the scoresheet as Hibs threatened a comeback but it was in vain as they fell to a third straight defeat in the league to increase the pressure on manager Lee Johnson.
The Hibs boss had made five changes to the side who were humbled 5-0 by Aston Villa in Europe on Wednesday, with Rocky Bushiri, Riley Harbottle, Allan Delferriere, James Jeggo and Christian Doidge coming into the starting line-up.
Livingston manager David Martindale, meanwhile, made just two changes with Jamie Brandon and Scott Pittman replacing Steven Kelly and Cristian Montano.
After a scrappy start to the game it was the visitors who grabbed the advantage in the eighth minute. James Penrice delivered a delicious low cross from the left and Pittman and Obita slid in together at the back post, with the Hibs defender credited with the own goal.
Hibernian looked to reply and Doidge had their first chance after a quarter of an hour as he glanced a header over following an inswinging cross from Delferriere.
Livi were happy to play on the counter-attack as the half progressed but Hibs struggled to create anything of note despite lots of possession and the home fans made their feelings known as the half-time whistle was blown.
Hibs were forced into a change at the interval as David Marshall was replaced by Max Boruc and the young goalkeeper was called into action almost immediately, making a crucial stop as Joel Nouble went through one on one after a Will Fish error.
The home side had improved slightly after the break and they did haul themselves level just after the hour mark through a moment of magic. Boyle was released by a Doidge flick-on and the winger showed all his pace as he cut onto his left foot and thrashed a thunderous strike past Shamal George.
Hibs’ joy was short-lived though and the majority of fans inside Easter Road were left stunned just a minute later as Livingston’s lead was restored. The tireless Penrice was the architect again as he stood up a deep cross that was headed home by substitute Anderson with virtually his first touch.
It soon got worse for the hosts. Nouble had given the home defence a torrid afternoon and it was his inch-perfect aerial ball that released Sangare, who drilled home a thunderous half-volley with his left foot from just outside the box.
Livingston nearly made it 4-1 through Nouble before Hibs cut the deficit as Campbell tapped home on 86 minutes to set up a grandstand finish.
But the hosts were unable to find a leveller as their pointless start to their campaign continued, while Livingston secured their first away league win since January.
Saints have secured four points from two games since MacLean stepped up following the departure of Callum Davidson and can take a huge step towards cinch Premiership survival if they beat Motherwell in Perth on Saturday.
Brown said: “Macca has come in as gaffer and given us almost a fresh voice and energy more than anything.
“We know our roles on the pitch and feel we have enough quality which I think we’re beginning to show now.
“For me, the change of shape suits a lot of the players and what our skill sets are.
“He’s given us the kick-start we needed to get going again. For me, the bare minimum we can do is run as hard as we can and be hard to beat. I feel we got back to doing that these last few games.
“We’ll take confidence from the Dundee United game. Like United were, Motherwell come into the game in a good run of form.
“We’ve started to turn the corner and we will try TO replicate what we have done the last few games.
“If we manage that we give ourselves every chance of taking another three points.”
