TT’s Samuel scores, but Celtic win 4-2

Hearts went down 2-0 to city rivals Hibernian on Saturday for their first defeat of the season and Celtic’s victory at Tannadice allowed them to match the Edinburgh club’s total of 32 points from 13 games.

"It would be great to stay there," manager Gordon Strachan told BBC Radio after Celtic went top for the first time this season.

Chris Sutton had a role in most of the significant action in an eventful first half and started his busy afternoon by heading a Barry Robson cross into his own net in the fourth minute for United’s opener.

The English striker made immediate amends by dummying a pass at the edge of the box to allow the ball to run to John Hartson and the Welshman squeezed a low shot under keeper Derek Stillie for the 17th minute leveller — his 99th goal for Celtic.

Sutton flicked the ball wide of the keeper for 2-1 just before the half-hour mark after Shaun Maloney had cut in from the left and dragged the ball across two defenders, cracking in a low shot from 20 metres.

But United equalised with a stunning turn and shot inside the box from Trinidad and Tobago forward Collin Samuel on the half hour.

The fifth goal of the half came along two minutes later when a Maloney corner was diverted into his own net by United defender Alan Archibald, with Sutton applying the pressure for the 3-2 halftime lead.

After such riches in the first period, the second half was a disappointment with few chances at either end.

It was not until the closing stages that substitute Stephen Pearson slid home Celtic’s fourth from close range to leave the top two four points in front of Hibernian and 10 ahead of champions Rangers.