Brilliant Bhoys banish the Terrors

Celtic moved back to within one point of Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank with a comfortable 4-1 win over Dundee United at Parkhead.

Gary Hooper's close-range strike after 23 minutes gave Neil Lennon's side the interval lead and second-half goals from Beram Kayal, Kris Commons and substitute Daryl Murphy, on for Scott Brown, sealed the win.

United substitute Johnny Russell grabbed a consolation goal for the Taysiders before Murphy struck deep in stoppage time. It was a convincing performance from the home side, who could go top of the table on Wednesday when they travel to Inverness for their game in hand over the Ibrox men.

The Taysiders were forced into some desperate defending as Celtic piled on early pressure and they were let off the hook in the seventh minute when Hoops defender Daniel Majstorovic headed a Commons corner over the bar from six yards.

In the 23rd minute the visitors eventually succumbed to Celtic's pressure but it was United skipper Garry Kenneth whose carelessness gifted possession to Anthony Stokes wide on the left. The Irishman hesitated at first but then set up Hooper with a pass across the six-yard box which allowed the former Scunthorpe striker to knock the ball into the net.

United had been restricted to the occasional breakaway but, just before the break, striker David Goodwillie showed good strength inside the Celtic box to brush off the attentions of Kayal after racing onto a punt by Dusan Pernis. However, his shot was blocked by backtracking Hoops skipper Brown and the chance of the equaliser was gone.

United started the second half confidently and intent on getting back on level terms. Morgaro Gomis had a decent opportunity when he was set up by Prince Buaben but the midfielder mis-kicked from 12 yards.

Any Celtic nerves were swept away in the 54th minute, by Kayal when he arrowed in a wonderful shot from 30 yards which gave Pernis no chance.

In the 84th minute Commons drove in number three from 10 yards, after good work from substitute Shaun Maloney, who had replaced Hooper.

Russell grabbed a late consolation for the visitors before Murphy, on for Brown, restored the margin of victory with a fine solo goal and Celtic can look forward to the trip to the Highlands in midweek with some confidence.