Celtic 2 Inverness CT 1:GOALS BY Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras at Parkhead kept some pressure on league leaders Rangers. But the home side were made to sweat in the closing stages of a game they had under control for most the time.

McDonald's 25th goal of the season right on the interval gave the champions the lead, and his Greek team-mate headed an Aiden McGeady cross past Michael Fraser on the hour mark.

But the final minutes were needlessly fraught for Celtic. The Inverness striker Marius Niculae took advantage of Scott Brown's misplaced pass to pull a goal back in the 70th minute.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, serving the first of a two-match touchline ban, watched a tepid opening to the match from the stand as his side struggled to get into their stride.

The restless Hoops fans were in no mood to cut their players any slack but there was generous applause in the 26th minute when McGeady's drive from 25 yards was saved by Fraser.

With seconds remaining in the half McDonald latched on to a Nakamura free-kick from the right to score from close range.

Celtic's second came on the hour and was fashioned by their best player, McGeady, who whipped in a cross from the left and Samaras rose to bullet in a header from eight yards.

CELTIC: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Donati, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald (Killen 83), Samaras. Subs not used: Mark Brown, Hartley, Riordan, Sno, Robson, O'Dea. Goals: McDonald 45, Samaras 61.

INVERNESS CT: Fraser, Tokely, Munro, Duncan, Black (McBain 78), McGuire, Cowie, Hastings, Imrie, Niculae, Paatelainen (Wyness 78). Subs not used: Malkowski, Kerr, Vigurs, Proctor, Gillespie. Booked: Imrie, Hastings. Goal: Niculae 70.

Referee: W Collum (Scotland).