Celtic tighten grip on top spot

Georgios Samaras is mobbed after opening the scoring (PA)

Smart finishes from Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper sent Celtic seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with victory at Dundee.

Samaras sent Celtic on their way to a fifth consecutive SPL victory with an overhead kick 16 minutes into a one-sided first half at Dens Park. Dundee made a game of it after the break and Colin Nish missed a great chance to equalise, but Hooper secured the points in the 71st minute when he lobbed Rab Douglas.

Celtic controlled the final stages as they extended their lead at the top of the table after second-placed Inverness were earlier held by St Mirren.

That result, plus Ross County's win at Hibernian, left Dundee nine points behind at the foot of the table. Inverness stay second after coming behind twice to draw 2-2 with St Mirren.

Third-placed Motherwell, meanwhile, defeated Aberdeen 4-1 with forwards Jamie Murphy and Henrik Ojamaa particularly impressive.