Celtic have moved seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 victory away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Ronny Deila's men took the lead with just eight minutes of the tie played, as Callum McGregor picked up the ball in midfield before bursting forward and finding the far corner of the Inverness goal from just outside the box.
Caley Thistle almost replied instantly as Gary Warren got on the end of a corner but his header bounced off Craig Gordon's chest before being scrambled to safety.
At the other end, Mikael Lustig also had a free header from a corner but failed to find the target.
Inverness found an equaliser in the final few minutes of the opening period as Liam Polworth's through ball released Miles Storey.
Jozo Simunovic's attempted recovery challenge only sent the ball further towards goal, as Storey's first effort was saved by Gordon before the striker netted the rebound.
The Bhoys went ahead once again in the 60th minute as Scott Allan and Kieran Tierney combined down the Celtic left, with the latter crossing for Leigh Griffiths to fire home from close range.
Former West Ham United striker Carlton Cole was introduced immediately after the goal, in place of Tom Rogic, for his Celtic debut.
Cole instantly had a chance to mark his Celtic bow with a goal, as McGregor's cross found the forward at the back post but Inverness keeper Owain Fon Williams palmed the header over the bar.
The home side almost equalised again in the 77th minute, as a corner deflected off Lustig which Stefan Johansen cleared off the line.
Celtic finished off the game in the 86th minute, with Cole heavily involved in a somewhat controversial own goal.
A saved Leigh Griffiths shot resulted in the substitute taking a heavy touch inside the six-yard box, which saw the ball trickle into the back of the net via Inverness defender Danny Devine.
Inverness players appealed for a handball decision to be given against Cole in the scramble that led to the goal but referee William Collum ruled that the effort stood.
Cole tested Fon Williams once more in the dying moments of the tie but the keeper got down to his left to make the save.
Deila's side now move seven points clear of closest challengers Aberdeen at the summit of the league table.
Colm Hayes
