CELTIC moved eight points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership table after an evening in Dundee that became far more anxious than it ever needed to be.

Goals in each half from Gary Mackay-Steven and Virgil van Dijk had allowed Celtic to take a commanding lead, but Jim McAlister's late strike made for a jittery finale.

The result, however, allows Celtic to re-focus their energies on the league title and take a step away from the lingering controversy of Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final Hampden fall-out.

The result also keeps Celtic on course to clinch the title at Pittodrie on May 10.

It was Mackay-Steven who broke the deadlock. Stuart Armstrong's free-kick found Van Dijk deep inside the box and the Dutch defender headed the ball to the feet of Mackay-Steven. The attacker took a touch and a step before unleashing an effort into the roof of the net.

Prior to that, Mackay-Steven had an effort from distance that had dipped over the bar from an Armstrong corner, but in the early stages, Celtic were flat.

Dundee had a call for a penalty fall on deaf ears when Jason Denayer collided with Greg Stewart, much to the chagrin of the Dens Park support; one supporter in the stand waved a letter in protest as he referred to the fall-out from Hampden that has dominated this week.

In truth, the penalty shout was soft, although had Dundee shown a little more conviction in their forward movements, they could have had more joy.

Immediately before the break, Celtic came close to adding to their lead when Nir Bitton's sclaffed shot fell kindly to the feet of James Forrest, but his snapshot was stopped by Scott Bain in the Dundee goal.

The second half ought to have seen Celtic take a more commanding lead; Forrest's cross was met cleanly by Leigh Griffiths, but his shot was stopped by Bain.

It was a stay of execution for Paul Hartley's side. Shortly after the hour mark, a James McPake foul on Armstrong gave Celtic a free-kick on the edge of the box for Van Dijk to duly dispatch the set-piece high into the net at a considerable pace.

Kris Commons and John Guidetti were introduced for the latter stages as Celtic chased further goals.

There was a sting in the tail, however, with Dundee claiming a late consolation when McAlister beat Craig Gordon with their first effort on target all evening. It made for an anxious final few minutes.

Van Dijk had a rasping free-kick saved by Bain, but the game finished with Dundee bearing down on Celtic.

They held firm but return to Tayside on Sunday afternoon where they take on Dundee United.