Celtic remain four points behind Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League following their 2-0 win over bottom side Inverness at Parkhead.
First-half goals from Joe Ledley and James Forrest eased the anxiety which had gripped the home side for much of the opening period.
Hoops striker Anthony Stokes missed a great chance after the break but Celtic cruised through the second-half to keep them on the tails of their Old Firm rivals as they look forward to Thursday's Europa League clash with Italian side Udinese at Celtic Park.
In the sixth minute Fraser Forster slipped as he came out to meet Gregory Tade who had raced on to a long ball from Greg Tansey but the Hoops goalkeeper blocked the shot from the striker and the ball ricocheted out for a goal kick.
Moments later, as Caley broke with purpose down the right, midfielder Nick Ross just failed to get on to the end of Richie Foran's cross and the ball sped wide.
David Proctor picked up a head injury in trying to defend the corner and was replaced by Roman Golobart and the disruption appeared to affect the visitors as soon afterwards, in the 28th minute, Celtic were ahead.
Ledley had plenty of space when he took a pass from stand-in skipper Beram Kayal and set himself before drilling a shot from 25 yards low past Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson and into his bottom right-hand corner.
Five minutes later the home side doubled their lead when Forrest raced through the middle on to a Ki Sung-yueng pass to knock the ball past Esson from the edge of the box.
In the 51st minute the home side should have had another goal. Forrest slipped the ball to Gary Hooper inside the box and his cut-back was perfect for Anthony Stokes, but the Irishman blasted high over from eight yards.
Paddy McCourt missed a good chance by heading wide from a Mohamed Bangura cross but the game petered out on the pitch as the home fans eventually found their voices off it.
Source: PA
