Adam Idah netted two penalties on his first Celtic start as a stoppage-time VAR decision at Easter Road earned the Irishman the chance to make himself an instant hero. Idah secured a 2-1 victory over Hibernian after Joe Newell was adjudged to have fouled Kyogo Furuhashi just after the Celtic substitute shot into David Marshall’s arms from 18 yards. Referee Nick Walsh made the call after being called to his monitor by video assistant Andrew Dallas as the Japanese striker hobbled to his feet. Idah – signed on loan from Norwich in the transfer window - also netted a 10th-minute penalty, which came at a heavy price as Alistair Johnston was carried off on a stretcher. The game was a tight affair until Dylan Levitt volleyed an equaliser on the hour mark and brought the game to life. Hibs had the better chances to claim three points before the late drama allowed Brendan Rodgers to savour his first win at Easter Road in his fifth visit as Celtic restored their three-point lead over Rangers, who have one game in hand in the Scottish Premiership title race. Afterwards a delighted Rodgers said: “Winning was never going make us champions tonight, but with 14 games to go it’s very important you get the victories. First half we had control, but in the second half we didn’t play great, Hibs deserve credit, they pressed on to the game. Too many times we played backwards, but the team showed the mentality of champions.” Lawrence Shankland scored his 50th goal for Hearts as the rampant Edinburgh side tightened their grip on third spot in the with a 1-0 win away to St Johnstone. The Jambos captain struck for the 22nd time this season early in the second half to settle a tightly-contested affair at McDiarmid Park and secure a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions. After the victory, the Hearts manager Steven Naismith heaped praise on his striker. “He is at the peak of his career, his numbers are the best of his career,” said Naismith. “That’s partly down to him and the team, he’s a lethal finisher. He’s got the finesse and the touch to take his chances when they come along. He’s showed why he’s the best striker in the league. He’s driven, he’s got drive – he’s got the Euros (in the summer with Scotland), he’s hunting down top goalscorers.” Hearts have now won 12 of their last 15 league matches since the start of November and remain 12 points clear of nearest challengers Kilmarnock, who left it late to claim a 1-0 victory over Livingston at Rugby Park. Substitute Kevin van Veen set up the winner, knocking the ball across goal for Marley Watkins to bundle home two minutes from time. Second-half goals from Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya helped 10-man St Mirren to a 2-0 home win over Dundee. James Bolton was sent off for the home side late on after Mandron had put them in front but the visitors could not capitalise on the man advantage and conceded a second goal to Olusanya late on. The victory extended fifth-placed Saints’ advantage over Dundee to nine points, albeit having played two games more.