POINTS GIFTED TO IBROX

CELTIC will need to win against Dundee at Dens Park this afternoon to maintain their three-point advantage at the Premiership pinnacle.

Their nearest challenges from Ibrox were gift-wrapped three points in their 2-1 victory over St Mirren in Paisley earlier today.

The blundering hosts twice presented goals to their opponents with keeper Zach Hemming and team-mate James Bolton the culprits on both occasions.

Philippe Clement’s men were handed a goal of a start after some atrocious defending by the Saints in the 32nd minute.

Hemming flapped at a right-wing cross from Borna Barisic to present Dujan Sterling with the opportunity to head the ball across the face of the goal.

Defender Bolton lunged to clear in front of the lurking Cyriel Dessers, but only succeeded in hammering the ball into his own net.

Inside five minutes, Steven Robinson’s side had levelled with a header from frontman Mikael Mandron who rose in front of the hesitant Loen Balagun to a right-wing cross from Mark O’Hara to thump a header low past Jack Butland at his right-hand post.

The Saints were denied an interval advantage when Bolton came close to atoning for his earlier blunder with a sidefoot shot that was touched over the bar by the scrambling Ibrox netminder.

Dessers claimed the winner in the 74th minute when Hemming and Bolton collided as a cross from James Tavernier dropped into the box.

It was comic cuts defending by the Paisley pair and the striker was allowed a free header into an empty net and he duly applied the finishing touch.

*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Dundee v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.