Celtic clinch Scottish Premiership title with emphatic win over Dundee United

Celtic secured the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 triumph over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.

Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both scored twice after Ryan Strain's own goal in the 30th minute initiated the landslide victory.

Celtic only required a draw, but they clinched their fourth consecutive championship in a similar manner to last year when a 5-0 victory at Kilmarnock handed Brendan Rodgers the title in his first season back at Parkhead.

This win propelled the former Liverpool manager to his 11th major trophy as Celtic manager and set the champions up for a shot at their sixth treble in nine seasons, and Rodgers' third, when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final next month.

Substitute James Forrest also etched his name into the club's record books by earning his 26th winners' medal, surpassing Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox.

Celtic's 13th title in 14 years has been virtually uncontested since early in the season, with Rangers lagging behind from the start and Aberdeen spectacularly collapsing after matching the champions' 31 points from the initial 11 games.

Despite suffering their first defeat at Ibrox on January 2, the Hoops were still 13 points ahead and, despite another derby loss, this victory put them 18 points clear ahead of Rangers' match against St Mirren later on Saturday.

Rodgers had previously criticised his team for their complacent attitude during a loss to bottom-ranked St Johnstone earlier this month. However, they've bounced back in style, netting five goals in each of their subsequent three games.

Celtic's gaffer reintroduced Jota and Kuhn after two matches on the sidelines, while home manager Jim Goodwin relegated Declan Gallagher to the bench following news that the centre-back wouldn't be receiving a new contract.

United had the better of the early action. Ross Docherty headed over and Ruari Paton hit a weak effort straight at Viljami Sinisalo.

Their momentum was disrupted by a protest from Celtic supporters, who hurled dozens of tangerines onto the pitch in response to the home club's ticket prices, which had soared to as much as £42.

Celtic found their rhythm and broke the deadlock around the 30-minute mark. Liam Scales directed an Arne Engels cross towards the far post, and under pressure from Jota, Strain inadvertently knocked it into his own goal.

Paton had an opportunity to equalise but was once again thwarted by Sinisalo. Just before half-time, Celtic extended their lead when Kuhn expertly volleyed Daizen Maeda's cross into the top corner of the net.

Idah, who stepped in for the injured Jota, squandered a decent opportunity before Maeda's shot was saved by Jack Walton. However, the Japanese forward soon provided his second assist of the match, setting up Kuhn to score from seven yards out during first-half stoppage time.

This marked Celtic's 100th league goal of the season.

The half-time break did nothing to slow down the reigning champions. Within two minutes of the second half kicking off, Idah nodded home Alistair Johnston's cross from close quarters.

Callum McGregor then surged forward and set up Idah for Celtic's fifth goal in the 58th minute, with the Irish striker's finish beating Walton at his near post.

Despite further chances, Idah couldn't convert a tricky opportunity and top scorer Maeda's flick lacked the necessary power as Celtic sought to increase their lead in a finale that was heavily tilted in their favour.

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