O'Neill concerned by Johnston injury

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The Bhoys went behind after just three minutes at Easter Road, when Owen Elding smashed home from a quickly taken free-kick from Joe Newell, who only came into the starting XI after Martin Boyle withdrew through illness.

But the Scottish Premiership champion was level just two minutes later when Jason Kerr headed into his own net from a Celtic corner.

Camilo Duran then swept home his 10th goal of the season shortly before the break, a strike that ultimately proved the winner.

Celtic consequently went four points clear of second-place Rangers once again, with Derek McInnes' side routing St Johnstone 4-0 on Sunday.

It was a real challenge for both teams in blustery conditions from Storm Boelo, and O'Neill credited his side for getting the job done.

"Given the circumstances, given the conditions, given we didn't play all that well, I thought it was our best win of the season, I honestly did," O'Neill said.

"It's difficult to come here in the circumstances, and to come back from a goal behind after a couple of minutes I'm really delighted. We didn't play really well in the game, but it doesn't matter, it shows character."

However, one major disappointment was the sight of right-back Alistair Johnston lasting just 21 minutes on his return from a hamstring injury.

The Canada international came on as a second-half substitute, but had to be replaced by Cameron Carter-Vickers, who was himself returning from a lay-off.

"Alistair's felt something again, a little bit high up in his hamstring. A bit concerned about it. We don't know. We'll have to see," O'Neill said.

"That would be a blow if he's out. You never know. It might be cramp. It might be a number of things.

"But he was really settling in brilliantly in the space of time that he was on the field."