GLASGOW, Feb 16, (AFP): Kris Commons and Anthony Stokes grabbed a pair apiece as Celtic came from behind to cruise to a 6-2 win over Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday. United, who had recorded back-to-back victories over Rangers and Hearts under new manager Jackie McNamara, had a dream start when Stuart Armstrong fired them into a 10th minute lead. However, they had little time to celebrate with Efe Ambrose, much-maligned for his performance in the midweek Champions League loss to Juventus, heading Celtic level a minute later. Commons fired Celtic in front with a 21st minute strike before United were awarded a disputed penalty four minutes later. Fraser Forster superbly saved Jon Daly’s spot-kick and from that moment on there was no stopping the home side.

Joe Ledley added a third with a deflected 37th minute shot and Commons made it 4-1 from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. Stokes’s fierce strike flew past Radoslaw Cierzniak in the 71st minute before he knocked home from close range in the 82nd minute. Johnny Russell pulled one back for United with the last kick in the 90th minute but it was scant consolation for the visiting fans as Celtic claimed their biggest victory over the Tannadice club since December 1969. It was former Celtic skipper McNamara’s first return to Parkhead since taking charge at United and he watched as his side took a tenth minute lead in a quick breakaway move.

Gary Mackay-Steven ran at the Celtic defence before slipping in Armstrong who buried a low angled shot past Forster into the bottom right-hand corner. Celtic responded through Ambrose a minute later. Commons found Ambrose in the box with a corner and the Nigerian defender fired a powerful header towards goal that Cierzniak couldn’t keep out. Celtic then found themselves in front as Emilio Izaguirre’s cross from the left was knocked on to Commons at the back post and his first time shot ricocheted off Cierzniak on its way in off the underside of the bar. United blew a chance to haul themselves level when ref Madden controversially awarded them a penalty after he ruled Adam Matthews had pulled back Mackay-Stevens in the box. The decision enraged the Celtic players with Forster booked for dissent but the keeper pulled off a superb save low to his right to save Daly’s spot-kick.

The Hoops moved further in front through Ledley. A Victor Wanyama shot caused panic in the box and after a scramble Stokes teed up the Welshman whose dinked effort took a slight deflection off Keith Watson on its way past Cierzniak. Any hopes United had ended when Celtic were awarded a penalty when Barry Douglas pulled down Stokes in the box. Commons stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Cierzniak the wrong way as he buried the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Celtic then laid siege to the United goal and it was no surprise when they made it 5-1 in the 71st minute. Stokes picked up the ball 30 yards out and drove to the edge of the box before unleashing a fierce strike that flew past the helpless United keeper. Stokes added a second when he was on hand to fire past Cierzniak from close range after the ‘keeper had stopped a header from James Forrest on the line before Russell knocked a last minute consolation past Forster.