Kris Commons (picture) scored from the spot to give Celtic a 1-1 Scottish Premiership draw against Motherwell at Parkhead on a day Hoops manager Ronny Deila perhaps discovered a lack of depth to his squad.

Motherwell striker John Sutton opened the scoring in the 19th minute before missing a great chance to double the lead from six yards with the home team booed off at the interval.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Commons, two of the six players left out by Deila as he rang the changes, came on for the start of the second half with Brown earning a 67th-minute penalty which Commons converted.

The rejuvenated champions drove forward in search of the winner but could not find another way past a resolute Well defence to leave Celtic with one win in their last four league games and Deila’s 39th birthday celebrations flat.

Dundee United surged to top of the table by thrashing Dundee 4-1 in yesterday’s opening match at Dens Park to leave their rivals without a derby win in 10 years.

Jackie McNamara’s men were far too strong for Paul Hartley’s side, who finished with 10 men following Thomas Konrad’s dismissal late on, having gone into the televised meeting undefeated in six league outings.

The Tangerines took over top spot in the league thanks to Mario Bilate’s first-half penalty and further goals after the break from Ryan Dow, Callum Morris and Keith Watson, with Greg Stewart grabbing an injury-time consolation for the Dark Blues.

Standings