The Celtic captain struck into the top corner from 25 yards to earn a win that looked unlikely for the majority of the game in Paisley.

The champions failed to register an effort on target until stoppage-time and McGregor’s winner came beyond the four minutes of added time that the match officials had signalled.

The hosts had earlier come closest to a breakthrough through Conor McMenamin, who hit the post after missing from close range.

They also had the ball in the net when Liam Scales sent it past team-mate Kasper Schmeichel but the goal was disallowed for offside against McMenamin.

Celtic looked set to drop points for a fifth time in 12 Premiership games but they put pressure on Hearts before the leaders’ trip to Aberdeen on Sunday.

The build-up to the game had been overshadowed by

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