Celtic 5-0 Dundee United: Kris Commons shines in big win

Kris Commons put his midweek row with Celtic's management behind him as he scored twice in a thumping 5-0 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee United.

The former Scotland international had an explosive fall-out with Ronny Deila and his assistant John Collins when he was substituted in the closing stages of a 3-1 Europa League loss at Molde.

Commons apologised for the outburst on Friday and Deila reacted by keeping him in his starting line-up for the visit of Mixu Paatelainen's Taysiders.

Commons repaid that faith with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and a stunner after the restart as Celtic moved four points clear at the top of the table.

As well as Celtic extending their lead over Aberdeen, United finish the weekend even further behind at the foot of the table and are now five adrift of second-bottom Partick.

It was a night of frustration for Deila's men in Norway on Thursday and their response to that was emphatic as they completely dominated the first period with 71 per cent of possession.

It took until the midway point of the opening period for Celtic - who gave Jozo Simunovic his debut - to take a lead though through Leigh Griffiths' 13th goal of the season.

He slotted in from a tight angle under Luis Zwick, after the 'keeper beat Commons to Scott Brown's through ball.

Dedryck Boyata made it two when his glancing header from Stuart Armstrong's free kick after a foul on Kieran Tierney flashed in.

And after Tierney was pulled to the ground, Commons added a third just before the whistle to cap a strong first-half performance from the hosts.

Celtic continued to press in the second, making it 4-0 when Commons lashed in the goal of the game when he collected a loose ball after his corner, cut inside and drove into the far corner.

With that, the hosts' relentless approach eased off and Deila made changes with Wednesday's trip to Hearts in mind but they finished with one more goal as Brown struck late on to complete the rout.