SPL wrap: Celtic cruise past Inverness

9 February 2013 18:40

Celtic limbered up for the visit of Juventus on Tuesday by posting a comfortable 3-1 Scottish Premier League win over Inverness on Saturday.

In a team featuring nine changes from their 3-0 Scottish Cup triumph over Raith Rovers last weekend, goals from Kris Commons, Rami Gershon and Miku helped pull Celtic 18 points clear on top of the SPL table.

Midfielder Nick Ross had put Caley Thistle into an early lead but they were unable to hang on to it and close the gap on the league leaders.

Inverness hit the front when Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster failed to clear a cross properly, allowing Ross to rifle the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area nine minutes in.

Celtic finally started to get back into the game and eventually claimed an equaliser when Australian new-boy Tom Rogic raced down the right-hand side of the box before crossing to the back post, with Commons on hand to fire the ball into the top corner.

Celtic took the lead early on in the second half, as Dylan McGeouch weaved his way past a couple of defenders on the right-hand side and his cross was pinpoint to Gershon, who headed home from close range.

The home side started to get the better of the game as it made its way into the latter stages, but they could not find a way past the Celtic defence to get back on level terms.

And with the game coming to a close Celtic secured all three points as they broke sharply after an Inverness corner and Anthony Stokes played in Miku to tap home for the sealer.

Elsewhere, Motherwell missed the chance to stay within 15 points of Celtic when they went down 2-0 at Kilmarnock.

A Steven Hammell own goal after 13 minutes put Stuart McCall's side under pressure early in the match, and a 71st-minute goal from French striker William Gros made sure of three points for the home side.

Dundee United climbed to sixth place with a 3-1 win over Hearts at Tannadice.

Johnny Russell gave United an early lead, and Willo Flood made it 2-0 just after the hour mark.

Michael Ngoo pulled one back for Hearts, but substitute Michael Gardyne sealed the victory when he netted in the closing stages.

Aberdeen and St Mirren played out a goalless draw at Pittodrie.