Reigning champions Celtic are on the verge of retaining the Scottish Premiership title after thrashing Dundee 5-0 at Parkhead on Friday.

Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring in the 30th minute as he headed home his 19th goal of the season before captain Scott Brown netted in the 37th minute.

Kris Commons added a third from the penalty spot in the 71st minute and substitute James Forrest fired home a fourth just six minutes later.

Nir Bitton's superb long range strike in the 89th minute completed the scoring as the Glasgow giants moved 11 points clear at the top of the table and within touching distance of their fourth consecutive league title.

It means Celtic could clinch the championship on Saturday if nearest challengers Aberdeen fail to defeat Dundee United at Tannadice.

Celtic made two changes for the visit of Dundee with Gary Mackay-Steven and Efe Ambrose returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Stuart Armstrong and Adam Matthews.

The Hoops enjoyed some early success down Dundee's right with Brown collecting a pass from Emilio Izaguirre before rolling a ball wide of the far post and then Griffiths letting fly with a shot that grazed the side netting.

A long ball out of defence from Virgil van Dijk allowed Mackay-Steven to set up Stefan Johansen for an effort 15 yards out, but the Norwegian curled his shot high and wide.

Celtic then had a strong penalty appeal turned down after former Rangers player Kevin Thomson appeared to bring Johansen down in the box but referee Bobby Madden dismissed their protests.

The Hoops finally made the breakthrough on the half hour mark through Griffiths.

The Scotland striker timed his leap to perfection to out-jump Thomas Konrad and get on the end of Izaguirre's cross to bullet a header past Scott Bain.

Celtic doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Brown finished off a free-flowing passing move.

Mackay-Steven rolled the ball to Commons who flicked into the path of the on-rushing Brown and the captain drilled the ball beyond Bain from 10 yards.

Both van Dijk and Johansen curled efforts wide before substitute Darnell Fisher earned Celtic a 71st minute penalty after he was barged in the back by Dundee defender Stephen McGinn just five minutes after replacing Ambrose.

Commons expertly despatched the spot-kick, sending Bain the wrong way to blast the ball into the back of the net.

The Hoops had a fourth just six minutes later through substitute Forrest

The Dundee defence were left flat-footed as the Celtic winger collected a through ball and raced in on goal before sending an angled strike beyond Bain.

Israeli international Bitton completed the rout in the 89th minute, picking up possession 25 yards from goal before dispatching a fierce drive that hit the inside of a post on its way into the net.