Craig Bellamy claimed a sensational hat-trick as Celtic moved back to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a thrilling 3-2 win at bottom side Dundee United.
The Tannadice outfit had belied their current position by twice getting back on level terms.
But they had no response when Bellamy fired in his third goal ten minutes from the end of a richly entertaining encounter.
Having scored two impressive first-half goals, the Wales forward rounded off his best performance since joining Celtic on loan from Newcastle by running on to Chris Sutton's flick-on before beating United goalkeeper Tony Bullock with a low shot from just inside the area.
The win lifted Martin O'Neill's side two points clear of Rangers at the top of the table. Rangers have no league match this weekend because of Sunday's League Cup final against Motherwell.
Celtic got off to the perfect start with a 5th minute opener,
Bellamy punishing the home side for allowing him space to the right of their box.
Having collected Jackie McNamara's pass, he unleashed a stunning drive from the corner of the area that found the top corner of the net.
At that stage, the home supporters must have feared the worst, particularly when Bellamy squandered a much easier chance to double the visitors' lead just before the quarter hour mark.
But United rallied impressively with Stuart Duff sending a volley over the bar before Jim McIntyre got them back on level terms.
A long clearance from Bullock caught the Celtic defence sleeping and McIntyre was able to place his shot past Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas.
Bellamy restored Celtic's lead in the 34th minute with a goal that was even better than his first effort.
Ulrik Laursen was the provider, carrying the ball out of his own half before putting Bellamy in behind the United defence.
The striker's finish spoke volumes about how confident he is at the moment. A left foot strike left Bullock with no chance and crashed into the net off the inside of the post.
Celtic could have wrapped up the points just before half-time but Bullock made a great save to his left to keep out Stanislav Varga's close-range header.
United continued to look dangerous after the restart and they claimed a deserved second equaliser mid-way through the second period after Neil Lennon lost possession on the edge of his own area.
Barry Robson took full advantage by unleashing a fierce strike that left Douglas with no chance.
The equaliser shook Celtic from their torpor and Bellamy was only inches wide minutes before he finally secured the points.
