Celtic scored two first half goals to return to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Dundee United at Parkhead.
It was a nervy performance from Neil Lennon’s side but they did enough to extend their winning run in the league to eleven games and reclaim top spot from their Old Firm rivals following Rangers lunchtime victory at St Johnstone. First-half goals from striker Gary Hooper (12) and midfielder Victor Wanyama (17) put the home side two up early on and a comfortable victory seemed assured. However, John Rankin pulled one back for the Tangerines five minutes after the break and the home side were pleased not to concede again and claim all three points.
It had looked like business as usual for the Hoops when Gary Hooper, the subject of two rejected bids from Southampton this week, drove the home side into the lead from an Anthony Stokes pass after a quick break from the back caught the United defence unawares. They were two up just five minutes later as Victor Wanyama, winner of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League young player of the month award for December, rose highest to head past Pernis in the United goal following a neatly taken short corner between Georgios Samaras and Emilio Izaguirre.
United hit back and put the home defence under a significant spell of pressure towards the end of the first period, forcing a string of corners, but were unable to take advantage despite skipper Jon Daly sending a 25-yard drive whistling just past Frazer Forster's left-hand post.
Celtic created a couple of chances at the start of the second period but the home fans were silenced when Rankin's long-distance drive flew past Forster and went in off the post. United sensed that they might be able to take something from the game and forced Forster into making a great save from Daly's close-range header on 57 minutes. Samaras had a diving header comfortably saved by Pernis as Celtic tried to make the game safe but, although United poured forward in the final ten minutes, they failed to trouble Forster further and the points were safe.