Celtic moved level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts as Daizen Maeda's double and a Kieran Tierney strike secured a vital - and at times nervy - win over Falkirk.

Falkirk impressed for long spells and hauled themselves back into contention when substitute Kyrell Wilson lasered a fierce shot home, but Maeda's late finish secured victory.

Celtic leapfrogged Rangers by one point, with the Ibrox side hosting Motherwell on Sunday before Hearts travel to face Hibernian.

Home supporters held up a banner reading 'Spirt of 86' pre-match, a reference to winning the title on the final day at the expense of Hearts. It seems this fight will go all the way, as it did 40 years ago.

The pace was unrelenting from the off. Accuracy was not quite at that level, though, as neither could create clear-cut chances.

It was the visitors who almost struck first when a clearance fell perfectly for captain Brad Spencer, whose volley from outside the area was superbly tipped beyond the post by Viljami Sinisalo.

John McGlynn's side then started to dictate play before shooting themselves in the foot.

By now, everyone is surely aware of Maeda's relentless pressing and threat. Keelan Adams perhaps not so as the Japan striker flew in to block his clearance, raced clear and finished decisively from distance with Nicky Hogarth exposed.

Calvin Miller almost levelled with a volley but when Tierney lashed home a fierce drive shortly before the break, it seemed Celtic would enjoy a comfortable afternoon.

Not so. Yang Hyun-jun thought he had a third when he got in, was blocked and then nodded home but he was marginally offside.

Falkirk stuck at it, consistently threatened and were rewarded with Wilson producing a stunning finish to hand them a lifeline.

But Maeda was alert to find space in the penalty area to place a low finish home to settle the outcome, missing out on a hat-trick when he fired wide with the goal gaping.

In title-run ins, experience of getting over the line counts.

Maeda has that and showed it. Just not nearly enough this season. Both he and Tierney delivered decisive moments that got Celtic over the line here.

Once again, it was far from pretty at times. Once again, it was nervy when it maybe shouldn't have been but given the limitations that clearly exist in their squad, Celtic showed again they do not lack desire.

Maeda looks to be returning towards the top of his game at a time that is badly needed. He hounded Falkirk all over the pitch and his finish after doing so for the opener was top drawer. The second was equally composed after Celtic Park grew increasingly nervy.

Last week in the Scottish Cup win over St Mirren, Celtic held a two-goal half-time lead only to let that slip.

They could ill-afford to do so again in this title fight and took another crucial step. The pressure now switches to Hearts and Rangers.

Falkirk have enjoyed a fantastic season but seem to have hit their first major blip, at least in results.

That said, they have faced Rangers and Celtic in their past two league games and performed exceptionally well at times.

Having secured an excellent top-six finish, their semi-final defeat to Dunfermline most have been sore.

Key injuries left them significantly depleted here with Scott Bain, Liam Henderson and Filip Lissah all absent. One defensive blunder proved very costly but they demonstrated once again the depth of quality they possess.

The visitors repeatedly troubled Celtic and made it an uncomfortable afternoon until conceding the third.

A European place now seems too big a long shot but they will undoubtedly keeping fighting to ensure this sterling campaign does not end with a whimper.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill: "Tough game today, knew it would be as well too.

"We're delighted we've won, we played some really decent stuff and stuck at it and at a time when Falkirk came roaring into the game. I thought we saw it through, and Daizen Maeda was fantastic."

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "It was a big challenge today to see where the players were, it's been a hard week for us.

"I'm very proud, it was very, very gutsy and brave, the performance. We didn't sit back, we just tried to take it to Celtic as much as we could."

With just four games to go, Celtic visit Hibernian next Sunday (12:00 BST).

Falkirk host Motherwell next Saturday (15:00) looking to keep alive their slim hopes of pushing for a European place.