SPL: Celtic 4 Dundee United 0

22 January 2013 23:14

Celtic have extended their lead on top of the Scottish Premier League to 12 points thanks to a 4-0 win over Dundee United on Tuesday.

Transfer targets Gary Hooper and Victor Wanyama scored in the first half to have the home side on their way at Parkhead, and Hooper's second goal and a late strike from Scott Brown wrapped up a comfortable win.

With both Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas in attendance, Hooper and Wanyama both did their transfer prospects no harm with good performances.

Celtic took the lead 19 minutes in after a superb counter-attacking move, as Lassad Nouioui played the ball towards Georgios Samaras on the left wing.

The Greek international found Hooper inside the box and the striker made no mistake.

The home side doubled their lead when Charlie Mulgrew played a short corner to Mikael Lustig and the Swedish full-back swung a cross to the back post were Wanyama got in behind his marker and powered his header into the net.

The victory was sealed late on as Samaras made his way down the right wing before crossing into the six-yard box for Hooper, who would have impressed his admirers with a back heel finish past Radoslaw Cierzniak to wrap up the three points.

Hooper had a chance to claim his hat-trick in the 89th minute when he received the ball on the edge of the area, but the English striker was unselfish and found substitute Brown, who fire home from close range to finish off another comfortable victory for Neil Lennon's side.