SHUNSUKE Nakamara took advantage of some slack home defending to notch a hat-trick as Celtic eased to a comfortable victory over Dundee United. Aiden McGeady and Tomas Gravesen were missing through injury as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Jiri Jarosik came in for Celtic.

Waterford man Noel Hunt gave the home side a surprise early lead with as Artur Boric let a soft shot from 20 yards slip between his hands. Home captain Barry Robson should have extended their lead on 18 minutes but scuffed wide from six yards when unmarked.

Nakamura then made the home side pay just before half-time poking in the equaliser from a Jarosik header. Three quick-fire goals in ten minutes then killed off Dundee United's challenge at the start of the second half.

Nakamura got his second as the Dundee United defence gave him room to bundle the ball home from six yards.

Four minutes later, Vennegoor of Hesselink took a pass from Maloney to calmly slot home the third. Celtic wrapped the game up with Nakamura completing his hat-trick just before the hour.

Jarosik's astute pass fooled the home defence and Nakamura curled a delightful strike past Derek Stilie from 14 yards.