Dundee United went down without much of a fight as Celtic cruised to a 3-0 Scottish Premiership win in the fourth meeting between the clubs in 14 days, yesterday.
The previous three clashes, including a 2-0 Scottish League Cup final win for the Hoops at Hampden Park and a 4-0 win in a Scottish Cup replay, brought six red cards – four for the Tannadice men – amid a war of words.
However, first-half goals from former United player Gary Mackay-Steven, returning striker John Guidetti and defender Jason Denayer had United chastened, with the second half at Parkhead a non-event.
Ronny Deila’s side moved five points clear of second-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand over the Dons, who were held 1-1 at Dundee FC, and remain on course for a domestic treble.
Premiership
Celtic-Dundee United - 3-0
Dundee FC-Aberdeen - 1-1
Partick-Inverness CT - 1-0
Ross County-Kilmarnock - 2-1
St Johnstone-St Mirren - 2-0
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Celtic | 28 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 59 | 14 | 66 |
| Aberdeen | 29 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 50 | 27 | 61 |
| Inverness | 29 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 30 | 53 |
| Dundee Utd | 28 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 49 | 41 | 46 |
| St Johnstone | 30 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 27 | 30 | 44 |
| Hamilton | 31 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 46 | 42 |
| Dundee FC | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Kilmarnock | 30 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 32 | 38 | 38 |
| Partick | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 39 | 36 | 34 |
| Ross County | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 33 | 55 | 28 |
| Motherwell | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 26 | 54 | 25 |
| St Mirren | 30 | 6 | 3 | 21 | 22 | 49 | 21 |
Scottish Championship
Falkirk-Hearts - 0-3
Livingston-Dumbarton - 1-2
Queen of South-Cowdenbeath - 4-1
Raith Rovers-Alloa Athletic - 2-1
Playing today:
Hibernian-Rangers - 13.45
League One
Brechin City-Forfar Athletic - 2-3
Greenock Morton-Ayr United - 2-1
Stenhousemuir-Dunfermline - 0-1
Stirling Albion-Peterhead - 2-1
Stranraer-Airdrieonians - 1-0
League Two
Annan-East Stirlingshire - 3-2
Clyde-Elgin City - 0-2
East Fife-Arbroath - 2-0
Montrose-Berwick Rangers - 0-2
Queen’s Park-Albion Rovers - 0-1