Chris Sutton looked to have put the champions on course for the silverware with a first-half strike but Scott McDonald, who has a Celtic-supporting father and Rangers-supporting mother, stunned them with two minutes left to put destiny back in Rangers’ hands.

And Celtic suffered the ultimate heartbreak by learning that their arch rivals had won at Easter Road.

O’Neill made a change in the 75th minute by bringing on Craig Beattie, who scored the winner at Tynecastle last week, for weary warrior Hartson.

But with Douglas in goal, nothing was certain and he came flapping at a Paterson corner in the 78th minute and was relieved to see Petrov hook the ball away from under his post with Scott McDonald lurking menacingly.

Beattie could have had Motherwell in real danger moments later when Bellamy played him clean through only for the youngster to forget to take the ball with him.

Hamilton blasted over with five minutes remaining before being replaced by former Celtic striker Gerry Britton.

Butcher also threw on Clarkson for Fitzpatrick with three minutes later before McDonald swivelled just inside the box and fired the ball over Douglas and into the top corner.

But the game and title turned on its head in injury time when McDonald cut inside and hit a shot which took a deflection and spun over Douglas.