Hearts’ story continues to fascinate the Celtic eye like its own fairy tale

And his team is improving at the right time. In the middle of it is Thang Maeda.

He hasn’t repeated his blistering goals of last season, or looked so happy at times that his move to Germany was ruled out over the past 10 months amid his flat antics that passed for Celtic’s recruitment department.

In April, though, he went 17 games without a goal – he never went more than six without scoring last season. Lately, there has been a sense of a gathering force. The hustle and strike, the work rate of the scarce man, the big-time mentality – all these were the keys to the win against the Rangers.

And aim. When the Celtics needed him most, Maeda was there for them. Two in a 3-1 win over Falkirk, a 2-1 win over Hibs and a 3-1 win over Rangers have been crucial in keeping them in Hearts’ slipstream.

Derby were level at 1-1 at the break. It was great stuff. Crazy and impressive. Potential at both ends. What happened next is not surprising. It was the most predictable thing.

Celtic haven’t been a good team this season, but they’ve shown a lust for battle, an ability to get on and win games even when their performances aren’t mundane.

It was a race that Celtic were sure to be in contention. Rangers? It was almost certain that they would go down and, almost, stay down.

Maeda fought back. Eight minutes into the new half and Kieran Tierney raced through to James Tavernier, whose only response to his opponent’s run was to stick his hands in the air and hope for offside. That’s your Rangers captain.