Celtic... 2 Dundee United... 0: Celtic kept the heat on league leaders Rangers last night with an emphatic victory over beleaguered Dundee United, who gave ample evidence of why they are locked at the bottom of the table as they produced an inept and characterless display.

It took the champions a little while to warm to the task but when they found their rhythm it became a procession towards United's Paul Gallacher.

The goalkeeper did not initially have an enormous amount to attend to aside from two decent early saves from Stilian Petrov and Henrik Larsson but that was largely down to the defenders in front of him, who certainly had to work hard clearing a Larsson header off the line and deflecting a shot from the Swede wide.

Yet there was still a certain inevitability about it all and, true to form, Celtic soon made the breakthrough. It was all so simple. A Jamie Smith cross after 25 minutes found John Hartson unmarked and the Welshman rarely passes up opportunities like that.

United had been so devoid of attacking inspiration up to then that even at that stage there was never going to be any way back, and after four more minutes that was confirmed.

This time the goal was neatly crafted as Chris Sutton and Petrov combined to release Larsson and the striker, perhaps irritated at his previous inability to score, made no mistake from close range.

It was Larsson's 33rd of another spectacular season and all too much for the visitors, who had David McCracken booked for a foul on Petrov after 37 minutes that was down to frustration as much as intent.

Those first-half goals made the second 45 minutes largely redundant although United gave Andy Tod, on loan from Bradford, the entire half in place of Stuart Duff as he and his team-mates struggled to avoid complete humiliation.

That was no easy task, however, for they were entirely outplayed and both Smith and Larsson twice could and probably should have extended Celtic's lead.

Meanwhile, second-half goals from Barry Ferguson and substitute Claudio Caniggia gave Rangers a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Hibernian which also preserved their three-point lead at the top of the table. Hibs ended the game with 10 men following the sending-off of Gary Smith.

CELTIC: Hedman, Mjallby (McNamara 28), Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Petrov, Sutton, Smith, Larsson, Hartson (Crainey 82). Subs Not Used: Broto, Maloney, Guppy. Goals: Hartson 25, Larsson 29.

DUNDEE UTD: Gallacher, Wilson, McCraken, Daniele Chiarini, Bollan, Duff (Tod 45), Paterson (O'Donnell 59), Miller, McIntyre, Dodds, Lilley. Subs Not Used: Combe, Lauchlan, Hamilton. Booked: McCraken, Tod.

Referee: J Underhill (Scotland).