After a nervy win at Ross County, Celtic will go into the final Old Firm game of the season six points clear of Rangers.
The league leaders dominated in Dingwall but only had Kyogo Furuhashi's early goal to show for it until Jota's late second secured a precious victory.
It was enough for Celtic to return to the top of the table with just four games remaining.
The obdurate County stay fifth in their pursuit of a first ever European qualification after their second defeat in seven games.
It could have been better for Celtic, but County did a good job of keeping their visitors close to the ground.
Few would have predicted that the only goal of the day would be Kyogo's 12th-minute headed goal.
In the first half, he had two chances and could have headed in with the match ball. His combination play with Jota led to a volley that looped up and off the bar.
When Ross Laidlaw spilled a long-range effort from Matt O'Riley, Kyogo was the first to react, but the County goalkeeper was able to put the ball behind.
On another occasion, the returning forward had the ball in the net after running onto an O&Riley through ball, but the flag was not up.
After the earlier save, he denied Daizen Maeda. Again, Jota was the orchestrator, but Maeda's shot went high and the County defender was able to tip over.
The Celts were desperate for the second goal to kill the game. Jota provided a sweet chip into the box and O'Riley beat Laidlaw to the ball, but the ball was kicked off the line.
Shortly after, county had their best chance. Jordan White allowed the ball to roll to Harry Paton after cutting back to Regan Charles-Cook. The Canadian hesitated, allowing Carter-Vickers to block.
The game ended in the 87th minute with Celtic getting the win.
Liel Abada, who missed a chance of his own, cut back for Georgios Giakoumakis. Jota slid in ahead of Randall after his shot curled off the bar.
The credit must go to County for pushing Celtic all the way.
A lot of teams have folded under the pressure of this potent Celtic attack. The back-line of the County were very strong and they were not going to allow Abada and Maeda to make it easy for them.
It shows how far they have come from the side that didn't pick up a league win until the end of October.
Celtic bounced back from their Scottish Cup disappointment and are looking forward to another Old Firm derby.
They have come through another tough test with three points and a step closer to regaining the title.
Ross County will travel to Tynecastle to play Hearts next Saturday, while Celtic will play Rangers the following day.
Formation 4-2-3-1.
2Randall15Watson16Iacovitti3Vokins7Spittal6Paton17Charles-CookFormation 4-3-3.
56Ralston20Carter-Vickers4Starfelt3Taylor33O'Riley42McGregor41Hatate17Neves Filipe8Furuhashi38MaedaThe match ended with Ross County 0 and Celtic 2.
The second half ended with Ross County 0 and Celtic 2.
Ross County. Blair Spittal tries a through ball, but David Cancola is not.
An attempt was missed. Blair Spittal missed his shot from outside the box. A cross was assisted byConnor Randall.
Celtic. Jota was replaced by James Forrest.
There was a substitution in Ross County. Dominic Samuel takes the place of Charles-Cook.
Goal! Ross County lost to Celtic. Jota shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
Giorgos Giakoumakis hit the bar with a shot from the centre of the box. Liel Abada assisted.
An attempt was missed. David Turnbull's shot from outside the box misses to the left. Greg Taylor assisted.
Corner in Ross County. Conceded by Anthony Ralston.
Foul by David Turnbull.
David Cancola won a free kick in the defensive half.
Ross County. Alex Iacovitti tried a through ball, but Jordan White caught it.
An attempt was missed. The left footed shot by David Turnbull missed to the right. Tomas Rogic assisted.
Liel Abada won a free kick.
Jake Vokins of Ross County had a foul.
Greg Taylor won a free kick.
Foul by Joseph Hungbo.
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) has a foul.
David Cancola won a free kick.
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