Caley defender Darren Dods put through his own goal in the 43rd minute and secondhalf goals by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and substitute Jiri Jarosik, on for Thomas Gravesen, secured the points for the champions.

Indeed it could have been much worse for both Dods and his team as, just after the interval, there was a moment of controversy when a Shaun Maloney cross from the left struck the defender's arm just inside the box. But referee Kenny Clark ignored the spot-kick claims. By the time the final whistle went, the Parkhead crowd had turned their attention to the visit Alex Ferguson's side on Tuesday.