Sunday's Scottish football as it happened

1. Griffiths nets his 13th goal of the season
2. Boyata header & Commons double
3. Captain Brown adds late fifth goal
4. Champions on course to move four points clear at the top
5. United five points adrift at the bottom
6. FT: St Mirren 0-1 Rangers
7. Rangers make it 11 Championship wins in a row

Thanks for your company today as Celtic and Rangers both consolidated their positions at the top of the Premiership and Championship respectively.

Join us again on Tuesday for coverage of the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals as Inverness Caledonian Thistle host neighbours Ross County and St Johnstone travel to face Championship outfit Greenock Morton.

We have run out of time, so you will have to read the match reaction story later on the website to find out Mixu Paatelainen's thoughts.

His side remain five points adrift of Partick Thistle at the foot of the Premiership table.

Next week, they host a Ross County side who have been impressive this season despite their 2-0 reverse away to Hearts yesterday.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila on Kieran Tierney

"It is great to get players like that into the team coming from the academy.

"He can go all the way. I have high hopes for him."

Celtic manager Ronny Deila on Kris Commons

"Very pleased. He was very good. He worked hard defensively and was very dangerous going forward.

"I am happy that we have him for one and a half years more."

Celtic manager Ronny Deila

"Very pleasing. The boys answered after Thursdays.

"Lot of good performances, a good team spirit and I am very proud of the boys."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Peter Houston

"I don't think United fans would have had much hope of winning here, but they and Mixu Paatelainen would have at least hoped for a good performance. However, Celtic could have scored more goals today and that is a worry for United."

United have still not won at Celtic Park since Boxing Day 1992.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Pat Bonner

"Celtic have done well today and reaction well from the disappointment of Thursday night.

"Dundee United have been poor - they have set up defensively, which is not like them - and Celtic have exploited it."

Celtic secure a comprehensive win over a Dundee United side bereft of life and guile to increase their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to four points over Aberdeen.

GOAL

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Celtic captain Scott Brown scored his side's fifth goal against Dundee United

Celtic captain Scott Brown takes matters into his own hand in search of a fifth goal and he weaves his way into the penalty box and fires past Luis Zuik via a deflection off midfielder Aaron Kuhl 's head.

It is substitute midfielder Tom Rogic's turn to just miss the target with a header after being set up by Gary Mackay-Steven.

Substitute Nadir Ciftci goes close to scoring against his former club, but the Celtic striker's brave header goes just over the crossbar.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Peter Houston

"It has been very comfortable for Celtic all afternoon. In many ways, it has been attack versus defence."

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"Dundee United completely gone now and passes are going all over the place.

"Jozo Simunovic with a rasping shot that stung the gloves of Zwick from distance.

"Dare I say, it reminded me a little of the way Virgil Van Dyk would often come forward and unleash a shot."

Join the debate at #bbcscotfootball

MBEHAN: "People say Commons has too high an opinion of himself. Well, it's justified with his contribution to the team."

Jozo Simunovic sends a superb long-range drive towards the United goal, but Luis Zwick produces a fine save to prevent the defender scoring on his home debut.

YELLOW CARD

Jozo Simunovic is left with a sore head himself after coming into the back of United striker Billy Mckay and the Celtic defender's pain is enhanced by a booking.

Kieran Tierney has impressed for Celtic today and the 18-year-old left-back goes close to capping his performance with a goal as his shot slides wide of the far post.

Kris Commons is, indeed, brought off by manager Ronny Deila, but this time there is no anger as he receives an ovation from the fans as he is replaced with Tom Rogic amid a raft of substitutions by both teams.

A Sean Dillon block prevents Leigh Griffiths adding a fifth goal and Stefan Johansen forces a fine save from Luis Zwick and Gary Mackay-Steven flashes a shot across the face of goal as Celtic pile on the pressure.

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Kris Commons has scored twice against Dundee United at Celtic Park

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"A textbook Kris Commons goal. Runs along the edge of the box, finds a yard of space and curls a cracker into the top left-hand corner. I'm assuming he probably won't be subbed this time."

Kris Commons goes close to extending Celtic's lead after some great work from full-back Kieran Tierney.

Kris Commons comes to Celtic's rescue at the other end of the park as he clears off the line from a corner after an effort from substitute Adam Taggart, who nearly makes an immediate impact.

On-loan Fulham striker Adam Taggart is brought on to replace Darko Bodul as United manager Mixu Paatelainen tries to stem the tide.

GOAL

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United fail to clear a corner and Kris Commons thumps the ball superbly into the top far corner of the net for the midfielder's second goal of the game.

United manager Mixu Paatelainen has pushed Darko Bodul up front beside Billy Mckay in an attempt to pose more of a threat and ease the pressure.

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"The second half has started as the first finished, with Celtic in full flow and United firmly on the ropes.

"Mackay-Steven had already hit the post and Armstrong watched his latest effort sail just wide. A long 45 minutes ahead for Mixu Paatelainen's side."

Stuart Armstrong fires across the face of goal when the midfielder should have hit the target. A let off for United.

KICK-OFF

Celtic get the second half underway and Gary Mackay-Steven almost scores straight from the kick-off as his shot strikes the post and off goalkeeper Luis Zwick for a corner.

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Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring for Celtic against Dundee United

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Peter Houston

"It is damage limitation for United now. They are at the bottom for a reason and their confidence looks shot. They have been holding their 25-yard line and yet they are still down three goals. But, if you open up, you could lose five, six or seven, which could be embarrassing."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Pat Bonner

"Dundee United came with a plan. That plan hasn't worked. They defended well for half an hour and then some hesitation from the goalkeeper for the first goal and it is all downhill from there."

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"No controversy about that decision. Fraser brought down Tierney in the box and up stepped Kris Commons to blast in number three from the spot. Zwick no chance. Game over now."

GOAL

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Kris Commons well and truly puts behind the midweek row in Norway and thumps his spot kick past Luis Zwick to put Celtic in total command.

PENALTY

Scott Fraser upends Kieran Tierney inside the United penalty box.

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"It looks like game over here already as Dedryck Boyata heads powerfully past Luis Zwick.

"United all over the place and the home side continue to pile on the pressure."

GOAL

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Dedryck Boyata's glancing header extends Celtic's lead as the defender pushes aside his marker to meet a Stuart Armstrong free-kick into the penalty box.

Leigh Griffiths' snap shot is well held by goalkeeper Luis Zwick as Celtic continue to look for a second goal.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Peter Houston

"United need to take some pressure off themselves and get up the pitch. It is a hard task for Billy Mckay up there on his own."

United are handed a chance thanks to a poor pass from Efe Ambrose, but Jon Rankin squanders the chance, blasting well over the crossbar after being set up by Billy Mckay. The visitors will need to do better with their rare sights at goal if they want to stage a comeback.

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport at Celtic Park

"A superbly taken goal from Leigh Griffiths, who slid the ball past from Luis Zwick from an extremely tight angle.

"Will the United players now break from their defensive positions in search of an equaliser?

"It's been all Celtic so far and they deserve their lead."

GOAL

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Leigh Griffiths grabs his 13th goal of the season, firing the ball past Luis Zwick from an acute angle.

Five corners already for Celtic as United struggle to get out of their own half.

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Kris Commons started for Celtic despite his midweek anger at being substituted and public apology

Croat central defender Jozo Simunovic is next to have a pot shot at the United goal and his long-range effort goes only a foot wide.

GREAT SAVE!

Former United midfielder Stuart Armstrong forces goalkeeper Luis Zwick into a fine save with a wickedly dipping drive from long range that the German scrambles away for a corner.

The game has settled into a pattern with United camped behind the ball and Celtic probing for openings.

Kris Commons hits the target with a long-range effort that goes straight to United goalkeeper Luis Zwick.

Stuart Armstrong's drive takes a deflection and just wide as Celtic exert the early pressure.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Pat Bonner

"United have set up with four at the back, five across midfield and Billy Mckay up front on his own."

Celtic are looking to go four points clear of stumbling Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership.

It would be the first time they have put daylight between themselves and their rivals this season if they take all three points.

KICK-OFF

We are underway at Celtic Park. Can bottom-placed United defy the heavy odds, or will Celtic continue their Premiership dominance?

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The only sign of new Celtic signing Carlton Cole today is before kick-off, with the former England and West Ham striker being introduced to the crowd. The 32-year-old is obviously still short of fitness.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Peter Houston

"I don't see any width in the United side and it will be a tough game for striker Billy Mckay. It is one of these games where Mixu wants to make sure they don't lose anything early on and then nick a goal."

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Scott Agnew came close for St Mirren, but Rangers secured an 11th straight league win and fifth in all competitions

Mixu Paatelainen was amazingly honest in his assessment of his squad earlier. When it was suggested that he had inherited a Dundee United young squad that is high in quality and ought to be better than their bottom place, the manager said: "The skill level is okay, no more than that."

Rangers manager Mark Warburton

"We were not at our best today, but we still made a few chances in the first half.

"We talked at half time and in the second it was not much better in truth.

"That was the busiest Wes Foderingham has been this season and the goalkeeper did well.

"But to come come to this kind of venue against this kind of opposition and win is satisfying."

Dundee United make one change at Celtic Park after their 1-0 defeat by Hearts in Mixu Paatelainen's first game in charge.

Charlie Telfer comes into midfield to replace Blair Spittal, who is suspended after being sent off in that reverse.

St Mirren manager Ian Murray

"We showed a real hunger and appetite to get the ball back.

"So overall we were disappointed not to get something from the game.

"In certain areas of the game, we were excellent.

"Performance-wise, we take a lot from the game."

Celtic make three changes to their starting line-up, with Jozo Simunovic and Kieran Tierney replacing Mikael Lustig and Emilio Izaguirre in defence and Gary Mackay-Steven starting in place of Nir Bitton in midfield.

Manager Ronny Deila said that Bitton and Izaguirre picked up knocks in Molde, while Lustig's recent injury problems mean he is unable to play every game.

The much-maligned Efe Ambrose will probably move from central defence to right-back to cover for the Swede.

Cool on Commons

Celtic manager Ronny Deila was playing down suggestions that he is under more pressure after the midweek Europa League defeat by Molde and also insisting that Kris Commons' angry reaction after being substituted was now in the past.

Indeed, the midfielder, who apologised publicly, retains his place in the starting line-up.

"We finished with that on Friday and we move on," Deila said on BBC Radio Scotland.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila

"Today we can go four points in front of Aberdeen and that is a good thing.

"For me, you get judged on everything with Celtic.

"I love it here. We have done some good things and some not so good things, but we have to make them even better.

"The pressure is inside me because I really want to win.

"I want some trophies and, if we do that, we will have had a good season."

Before we leave the action at St Mirren Park, we should remind you that next week Rangers visit Easter Road to play their nearest challengers, Hibs, who will hope to narrow that eight-point gap. That should be a mouthwatering encounter.

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen

"I have been in for a week, so it is not a great time, but the picture gets clearer every day.

"They are a great bunch of boys and they are prepared to work hard.

"Today, we are facing Celtic away, which is always a tough time, so we have to be organised.

"We know they will be angry with what happened in the Europa League in midweek, but we must be prepared for that."

Rangers extend their lead at the top of the Championship to eight points thanks to Jason Holt's fourth goal of the season for the Ibrox side - and one that seemed to embarrass St Mirren goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.

Jason Holt's first-half strike is enough to give Rangers a workmanlike win over St Mirren.

St Mirren are handed a great chance to test Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, but Stevie Mallan's free-kick from 30 yards flies tamely a few yards over the crossbar.

Three minutes of stoppage time for St Mirren to get an equaliser or Rangers to hold on to their lead.

St Mirren's challenge is petering out - and time is running out too - as they try to find an equaliser and preserve their unbeaten run.

LINE-UPS

Celtic: Gordon, Ambrose, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney, Brown, Johansen, Mackay-Steven, Commons, Armstrong, Griffiths. Subs: Bailly, Blackett, Bitton, Ciftci, Rogic, Lustig, McGregor.

Dundee United: Zwick, Dillon, Souttar, Durnan, McGowan, Rankin, Telfer, Fraser, Kuhl, Bodul, McKay. Subs: Szromnik, Murray, Connolly, Donaldson, Taggart, H Souttar, Robson.

St Mirren are beginning to crank up the pressure on the visitors without seriously threatening Wes Foderingham in the Rangers goal.

Lawrence Shankland makes an immediate impact for St Mirren and his low drive is beaten away by Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham at his near post.

St Mirren have brought on on-loan Aberdeen striker Lawrence Shankland for Calum Gallagher, while Rangers take off Barrie McKay and replace him in midfield with Fraser Aird.

Jamie Langfield to St Mirren's rescue as the goalkeeper blocks a powerful drive hit from close range by Nick Clark.

YELLOW CARD

Rangers defender Dominic Ball is shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away. It is greeted with some ironic cheers from the home fans, who think the Englishman should have been booked earlier for some hefty challenges.

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Sport St Mirren Park

"St Mirren really have to find a goal during this spell of dominance at the start of the second half.

"They paid for not doing so at the beginning of the first half and Rangers will surely lift their game again at some point before full-time.

"The home side need something to cling onto."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson

"St Mirren are right back in it and will be fancying their chances now, but that little bit of guile to get in behind Rangers is all that's missing now."

Barrie McKay jinks into the St Mirren penalty box, but the midfielder's powerful drive curls wide of the far post.

Rangers make a couple of changes, with Nicky Clark coming on for the mis-firing Kenny Miller up front and Dean Shiels replacing the anonymous Gedion Zelalem.

Scott Agnew is determined to get himself a goal and the St Mirren midfielder unleashes a drive from 30 yards that curls towards the far post but just drifts wide.

Celtic consider USA franchise

If you were listening to BBC Radio Scotland's coverage, you might have heard our reporter, Chris McLaughlin, reveal the story that Celtic are exploring the possibility of starting a franchise club in the United States. You can read the rest of the story here.

Scott Agnew bursts into the Rangers penalty box and, after his first shot deflects back into his path, his second effort slips just wide of the post from 15 yards.

GREAT SAVE!

A superb flowing move from St Mirren and Scott Agnew's curling drive from just inside the penalty box is beaten away for a corner by goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

SNS

St Mirren goalkeeper Jamie Langfield looked suspect as Jason Holt's shot found the far corner of the net

KICK-OFF

Rangers get the second half underway and immediately there is a bit of hesitancy in the visiting defence, but they escape unscathed and remain a goal ahead.

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Sport at St Mirren Park

"Rangers have got stronger as the match has gone on and the goal seems to have given them added confidence.

"Until Jason Holt's strike, St Mirren were making a real game of it.

"Since then, though, Rangers have looked slicker, breaking at pace and creating numerous opportunities and they should be more than just a goal ahead."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Gary Naysmith

"Jamie Langfield looked amazed that Jason Holt's shot had beaten him. For the first 15-20 minutes, I thought St Mirren were the better team, but Jason Holt was picking up pockets and, after his goal, Rangers should be further in front."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson

"The fact it went into the net amazed me as Jamie Langfield looked to have it covered, but maybe he has misjudged it. The one thing Jason Holt got was power in it. But, after the goal, Rangers have taken over and gained in confidence."

Rangers edging their way to an 11th straight league win and should be further ahead, but St Mirren have had their moments too.

Rangers ought to have extended their lead, but Andy Halliday somehow stabs the ball wide at the back post as the midfielder is found by a James Tavernier cross to the back post.

A last-ditch Jack Baird tackle denies Kenny Miller after the striker is put clear by Martyn Waghorn and the shot deflects wide for a corner.

Kenny Miller drags another effort wide that he should be putting on target as the Rangers striker miss-hits from just inside the penalty box.

DISALLOWED GOAL

Rangers have the ball in the net again, but Kenny Miller is ruled to be offside as he slides in to score after Jason Holt deflects a Lee Wallace cross into the striker's path.

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland at St Mirren Park

"There may be 20 points between these sides in the Championship but you wouldn't have known it from the opening quarter here. St Mirren had been every bit as impressive as the league leaders, with Steven Thompson leading from the front and giving the Rangers defence an uneasy afternoon. But Jason Holt's goal has edged Mark Warburton's side in front and the home side have a job on their hands to get back into the game."

Stevie Mallan goes close to giving the Buddies an equaliser with a fine curling free-kick that is beaten away by goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, who then punches away the subsequent corner.

GOAL

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How did Jason Holt squeeze that past Jamie Langfield? The Rangers midfielder looks to have taken the ball too wide with his first touch, but his powerful drive across the face of goal appears to be left by the goalkeeper thinking it is going wide of the far post. Instead, it nestles into the side of the net.

Lee Wallace almost scores a bizarre own goal as the full-back attempts a long-range pass back that curls past the outstretched boot of goalkeeper Wes Foderingham's outstretched foot and a couple of feet wide of the far post.

Calum Gallagher seems a little too anxious to impress against the club he left this summer, the striker bundling a shot wide from 14 yards on the turn moments after slicing another effort well wide.

James Tavernier tries a drive from long range and his dipping effort is straight at St Mirren goalkeeper Jamie Langfield. However, the Buddies fans will be concerned at the space given to the full-back at that corner.

Kenny Miller misses a great chance to put Rangers ahead as the former Scotland striker is picked out by a Lee Wallace cross, but the unmarked veteran tries to side-foot home from 16 yards and the ball slices well wide.

Stevie Thompson flicks a header a couple of feet over the Rangers crossbar as St Mirren continue to impress.

There looked like a suspicion of hand ball as Kenny Miller controlled the ball before clearing a St Mirren corner. It was maybe more chest than shoulder and the striker gets the benefit of the doubt.

YELLOW CARD

A stormy start at St Mirren Park with home captain and former Rangers striker Stevie Thompson having a shoving match with defender Dom Ball and that is followed by Jim Goodwin going into the referee's book for a trip on Andy Halliday. The St Mirren midfielder seems to have paid for his hard-man reputation there but has to be careful now.

GREAT SAVE!

Stevie Mallan has shown his ability from long range previously and his thundering drive from 30 yards is turned on to the crossbar and over for a corner by Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

KICK-OFF

St Mirren get us underway and the ball is immediately thunder the ball down the pitch for a throw-in. Would be good line-out ground if this was the Rugby World Cup but not very promising as this is football!

The teams or on the pitch at St Mirren Park. Kick-off almost on us.

LINE-UPS

St Mirren: Langfield, Watson, Baird, Webster, Kelly, Mallan, Goodwin, Agnew, Howieson, Thompson, Gallagher. Subs: Conlan, McMullan, Carswell, Morgan, Cuddihy, Shankland, Wilks.

Rangers: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Ball, Wallace, Zelalem, Halliday, Holt, Miller, Waghorn, McKay. Subs: Clark, Aird, Shiels, Kelly, Hardie, Thompson, Walsh.

Referee: Steven McLean (Scotland)

Join the debate at #bbcscotfootball

Max Baggins-Craig: "I'm backing Rangers for today, but St Mirren could spring a surprise. Bring on a corker! Rangers will soon be back home where they belong in Premiership. Celtic & co be ready for a shock."

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland at St Mirren Park

"St Mirren haven't won at home in the league this season and for a club that was expected to challenge for a play-off spot at the top of the table, the 20-point difference between them and Rangers is deeply disappointing.

"Nonetheless, they have found a bit of form in recent weeks and gave Rangers a run for their money in their first meeting at Ibrox, so there is cause for some confidence.

"Mark Warburton's men are looking for their 11th successive league win and, although the manner of victory lately has been less commanding than at the start of the season, they have been able to grind out wins and will be favourites to take the points again today."

Rangers manager Mark Warburton on BBC Radio Scotland

"I think it will be a tough game. St Mirren are a very good side.

"We are on a good run, the pitch is in good shape and we are looking forward to the game."

St Mirren manager Ian Murray on BBC Radio Scotland

"Like every club in this league, it is difficult to get a run going, but hopefully things are starting to turn.

"There was a huge turnaround in staff during the summer and it takes time for players to adjust to a change in league.

"Rangers have done impressively and they have good quality, but so have we.

"Hearts last season had a magnificent run and it came to an end."

Resurrected Saints

Despite their own difficult start to the season, St Mirren are themselves looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games - and record a third straight win.

Is Ian Murray at last turning round the fortunes of the side he inherited after their relegation last season?

Rampant Rangers

First up, we are at Ibrox, where Rangers are looking to extend a four-game winning run that followed their 3-1 defeat by St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup.

They also retain a 100% record in the Championship after 10 games.

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland at St Mirren Park

Rangers' last game was also against Livingston - the narrow Petrofac Training Cup victory in midweek.

Nathan Oduwa hasn't recovered from the injury he picked up in that match and he and fellow midfielder Nicky Law drop out to be replaced by striker Kenny Miller and Gedion Zelalem.

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland at St Mirren Park

St Mirren's recent run of four games undefeated is their best spell of the season and Ian Murray largely keeps faith with the team that won against Livingston last weekend, bringing the experienced full-back Keith Watson in for Barry Cuddihy in his solitary change.

Get Involved

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What are your favourite memories of 1985, whether football-related or not? If someone time-travelled from 1985 to 2015, what would most surprise them, please them, or horrify them? Give us your thoughts on that, today's games, or any other burning issues in Scottish football.

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Although Celtic actually finished as champions that season - famously pipping Hearts on the final day - United were a force to be reckoned with in those days under legendary manager Jim McLean.

St Mirren would soon replace Alex Miller with Alex Smith and go on to have a golden period of their own.

Now, the Terrors are five points adrift at the foot of the Premiership, while the Buddies are languishing in seventh place in the Championship.

It was Back To The Future Day last week, 21 October 2015 marking the day to which Marty McFly and Dr Emmet "Doc" Brown time-travelled from 1985 in the famous movie's sequel.

Coincidentally, today's fixtures are a repeat of those on 26 October 1985, when Dundee United defeated Celtic 3-0 in Glasgow, while Rangers lost 2-1 to St Mirren.

You would get good odds from the bookmakers for a repeat of those scorelines - and no wonder.

Welcome to our live coverage of today's Scottish fixtures, starting off with Championship leaders Rangers' visit to St Mirren Park.

That is followed by their Premiership counterparts, Celtic, looking to extend their lead at home to struggling Dundee United.