Celtic5–0Dundee Utd

Having come into the side the week prior, Derek Lilley dropped back to the bench in favour of Hasney Aljofree for United's first visit to Celtic Park of the season.

It was backs-to-the-wall from the get-go against the SPL Champions and within two minutes Paul Gallacher was forced into a diving save by a shot from Henrik Larsson. A tame Danny Griffin effort at the other end is easily held by Magnus Hedman. Gallacher gathered a shot from Larsson again on the quarter hour mark before a counter-attack from United saw Easton try his luck with an effort that flew wide of target. Celtic eventually broke the deadlock on the 24th minute, with a quickfire double. Wing-back Jackie McNamara opened the scoring with a wonderful 30 yard strike and before United could adjust, Chris Sutton pounced on a loose ball from eight yards to slot home. A third followed just after the half hour when Kevin McGowne lost possession to Larsson in his own half. The Swede forced a save, but Stilian Petrov was on hand to deflect a hapless Griffin clearance into the net.

Jim McIntyre and Charlie Miller switched positions for the second half in attempt to claw something back from a game that had escaped United. With Celtic content with their lead, United were able to build a series of plays, without any chances to speak of. Following a flurry of substitutions for both sides, the fourth goal arrived, as John Hartson, unmarked, easily headed home from inside the box. Three minutes later, a powerful Griffin drive is collected by Celtic substitute David Fernández who runs almost the full length of the park before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Henrik Larsson to nod the ball past Gallacher for the fifth.