RONNY DEILA today pointed his Hoops heroes towards their final target for the season.

The Norwegian saw the champions take their points tally to 82 - eight clear of Aberdeen once again - with what was eventually a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.

The hat-trick by Leigh Griffiths - his second in 11 days, firing him to 18 for the season - means Celtic have a dozen points left to contest.

The finishing line can be crossed as early as this weekend, if Scott Brown and Co. defeat Dundee on Friday and Aberdeen drop anything at Tannadice the following day.

But, given the form of the doughty Dons, it is more likely the first chance to sew up the fourth consecutive title will fall at Pittodrie a week on Sunday.

No matter where or when they are crowned, Deila will demand the peddle remains pushed to the mettle.

Celtic can't achieve the impressive figure of 99 points accumulated last term.

But they can finish with a League Cup and League Championship double - and a flourish.

Standards must be maintained because the Scandinavian is a huge believer you must always give 100 per cent.

It has to be the default position, what defines you.

Otherwise, in a moment of weakness, or when put under pressure - as will assuredly occur when, for example, they become embroiled once again in qualification for the Champions League - it will lurk within your psyche and persona that at bit less than the maximum is good enough.

Self interest apart, Deila also respects the fact that, while their own finishing place on the top of the pile is now all but assured, others in the top six are still fighting for position, and the monetary rewards and European places that goes with this.

So, it is full steam ahead to the end.

Not that Deila is allowing anyone in his camp to believe the job is done.

He said: "We can't think the title is already ours. We have to get the five points we still need, first.

"But this was an important win, and now the championship trophy is getting closer and closer.

"We are eight points clear again, and the goal difference is good, too.

"So, we are in a very, very good situation."

Something which would have been mentioned more than once last night at the club's Player of the Year awards dinner.

The mood may have been understandably celebratory, just hours after the win at Tannadice.

But the tools are not being put away just yet.

United's gritty first-half performance proved hard graft is still required, the battle having to be won before the spoils of war could be enjoyed.

Deila knew what was awaiting them at Tannadice. Considering this was the seventh time Celtic had faced Jackie McNamara's side in three competitions this season, there was not much left with which to surprise him.

Aware of the need to match the physical approach of United, Deila elected to go without the natural width and pace offered by James Forrest and Gary Mackay-Steven, Stuart Armstrong and Kris Commons offering a bit more strength in the wider areas of midfield.

With United pressing high, and long balls from the back seldom finding their intended targets as the likes of Griffiths, Commons and Johansen were out-jumped, it made for a stodgy performance.

Only when Griffiths popped up with the opening goal two minutes after the break did United begin to wilt, and the superior fitness and quality of Celtic truly tell.

The striker scrambled the second over the line after 65 minutes, and was confident enough to take the spot-kick when ref Willie Collum wrongly adjudged John Rankin's foul on Mackay-Steven was inside the area.

This particular official has a propensity for leaving his mark on games, usually in controversial type.

But given this mistake came seven minutes from the end of a game in which Celtic were already coasting, it can be filed under the 'so what?' category.

For Deila, of much more importance in his post-match analysis is the response his players gave, not only to losing last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final to Inverness - with bounce-back wins over Dundee and then United - but to his half-time constructive criticism of the way they had played to that point.

The manager never attempted to hide how much Hampden hurt him and his players, and not just because of the controversy which continues to define the result.

It was instrumental in making this one of the most important weeks in Deila's time at the helm, certainly since the early season failure to qualify for the Champions League.

He knew his team was being examined for weakness of character.

So, it is as much in relief as celebration that he can reflect on back-to-back Tayside victories and said: "I think it was a vital thing.

"I was little bit afraid they would be going around feeling sorry for themselves.

"But the players really showed how you manage to get through a hard situation, and bounced back again.

"Good teams do that, and we have done that.

"Now, we just have to keep going, winning games. But nothing is finished yet.

"We want to win everything we compete in, every game."

The words come with a hint of menace for those yet to play Celtic one more time this term.

United are not on that list. After seven games against the Hoops, they are due their respite.

Their relief might be matched by that of Deila, though the series of games against the same side has proved familiarity can breed content.

The Hoops have won five of their encounters with United, drawing a cup tie and losing the other match.

But yesterday was the first time the manager recorded a win at Tannadice, leaving only Inverness on the list of top-flight grounds from which he has yet to emerge victorious.

In the grand scheme of things, it might not seem much.

But, to Deila, it is one more hoodoo burst.