Celtic moved within four points of Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers after Gary Hooper's sixth goal in six matches clinched a 1-0 win at Dundee United on Sunday.
Neil Lennon's side had been trailing well behind their Glasgow rivals just a few weeks ago, but Rangers have stumbled while Celtic are now putting together a decent run.
Hooper's first half strike was enough to see off United at Tannadice and give Celtic real hope of snatching the title back from Ibrox.
"We started the game ever so well and the first 45 minutes was the best we've played away from home this season," Lennon said.
"The intensity was there although we lacked something in the final third at times.
"But the goal was a thing of beauty. It was a great goal and great ball in. Gary's hit the ball great and that's him at this best."
United boss Peter Houston added: "I don't think we played anywhere near our capabilities. The first 20 minutes were good but we lost a poor, poor goal.
"Technically we were very poor. The second touch seemed to be a tackle. We didn't create anywhere near as many chances as we wanted to."
With Joe Ledley ruled out with an ankle injury, Cha Du-ri came into the Celtic starting line-up, while Hooper returned at the expense of Ki Sung-yueng.
Celtic were looking to close the seven-point gap on Rangers and they threatened to blow the Taysiders away in a barnstorming start to the game.
Georgios Samaras raced into the penalty area in the first minute and fired the ball across goal, with Anthony Stokes sliding in and only missing by inches.
The Hoops threatened again when James Forrest's cross from the right was headed over by Stokes.
And their pressure paid off in the 12th minute as Forrest picked out Hooper inside the United area and he rifled a low drive past Dusan Pernis and into the far corner of the net.
They should have scored again when Stokes played in Forrest but the Scotland winger drove straight at Pernis from close range.
United briefly threatened before the break when right-back Robbie Neilson got a header in from a John Rankin cross, but Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster saved with ease.
Celtic were able to maintain control without ever needing to extend themselves in the second half and just after the hour Houston tried to spark his side into life by sending on Stuart Armstrong and Lauri Dalla Valle.
United were making too many errors to put sustained pressure on Celtic, but the visitors couldn't capitalise and the game was in danger of drifting towards a tighter conclusion than the early stages had promised.
Stokes was replaced by Ki in the 77th minute as Lennon tinkered with his formation again, before former Celtic player Willo Flood had an effort from the edge of the bar which flew harmlessly over.
Forrest then missed the target from 16 yards at the other end.
Celtic's early dominance had disappeared but United could not summon the energy for a late rally and the points deservedly went back to Glasgow.
Source: AFP
