Neil Lennon hailed stand-in captain Charlie Mulgrew after he rescued Celtic with the winner against former club Aberdeen.
Mulgrew's close range strike kept Celtic 10 points behind leaders Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League.
The goal was warmly welcomed by Hoops manager Lennon who had seen his team's early lead wiped out at Parkhead.
"Charlie has played brilliantly for the majority of the season. His improvement since he came back here has been huge."
Neil LennonQuotes of the week
Midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng gave the home side the lead in the 17th minute but defender Ryan Jack levelled for Aberdeen on the hour mark.
However, with nerves jangling, Mulgrew drove high into the net in the 72nd minute to restore the lead.
The defender, who came through the youth ranks at Parkhead before spells at Wolves and Aberdeen, has confirmed himself as a key part of Lennon's side in recent weeks.
He netted the late equaliser in last weekend's 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock.
Improvement
Lennon said: "Charlie scored with his right foot so he has had a good week.
"He has been really consistent for us this season and I am delighted for him - I think it is the first time he has captained a winning Celtic team.
"He has played brilliantly for the majority of the season and came up for the winner today.
"His improvement since he came back here has been huge.
"It is a credit to him that he went away down south to forge his career and didn't give up on it.
"Now he is captaining Celtic which is a great achievement for him."
Aberdeen ended up with 10 men after Jack was sent off with 10 minutes remaining after picking up two yellow cards.
The Dons defender, already booked for over-celebrating his goal, was shown a second yellow by referee Stevie O'Reilly for a foul on Gary Hooper.
Mountain
Visiting manager Craig Brown felt aggrieved by the decision but refused to criticise the officials.
He said: "I am not blaming the ordering-off for losing the game but it made it a mountain to climb."
Nevertheless, the former Scotland manager claims his side deserved something from the game.
Brown said: "I always preface everything I say by saying I am biased, but I did think we had an opportunity not to lose, in fact, to win the game.
"Again we are going up the road disappointed but I have to give credit to Celtic because when it went to 1-1, they upped their game.
"It was a soft second goal to concede, both goals were soft."
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