IF good things truly do come to those who wait, then Celtic are entitled to believe the SPL title will be presented to them at Tannadice on May 22.

Until then, the current champions must sit back and watch Rangers play catch-up in their outstanding games against Motherwell on Saturday and St Mirren a week tomorrow.

It will be a difficult watching brief for Gordon Strachan and his players as they know they are now helpless to prevent Rangers clambering back above them into top spot before the decisive last round of fixtures when Celtic take on Dundee United and Walter Smith's men travel further up the east coast to Aberdeen.

BORUC Kept busy throughout, but never stretched to the limit. Deserved his clean sheet. WILSON Back in for injured Hinkel and took time to pick up pace. But soon looked like his assured self. CALDWELL Powerful in the air and in the tackle. Looked happy to be back on right side of defence. McMANUS Marked his return to side with opening goal and marshalled his back line well. NAYLOR Quietly effective, getting forward whenever he could. Some decent deliveries into the box. NAKAMURA Control, vision, movement, passing - he showed the lot, and still found time to get back and defend. Unlucky when free kick came back off post in first half and when McNeill saved well from a second-half effort. Booked for tug on Beuzelin. ROBSON Took firm grip of midfield and broke up many of Hibs' moves. HARTLEY Great shift up and down the park. Provided excellent cover for defence when under pressure first half. Booked for foul on Morais. McGEADY Always showing for ball and willing to run at defenders. Several support runs were not spotted by McDonald in particular. VENNEGOOR Lack of pace undermined his effectiveness, but managed to flick on a few useful headers. McDONALD Would have got a rollicking from boss for his greediness had he not popped up with clincher near the end. SUBS Samaras replaced Vennegoor with 13 minutes to go, but control let him down. Sheridan came on for McDonald in injury time to run down clock. FANS Disappointing to see empty seats on such an important occasion, but those there gave massive support. STRACHAN Got ticking off from ref for disputing decision, but was smiling at the end

The consolation for everyone connected with the Parkhead club is that they have taken it right down to the wire, increasing the pressure on Rangers with a 2-0 win over Hibs yesterday, their seventh straight win in the title race.

Not bad for a side declared dead and buried as they traipsed out of Ibrox, deflated by defeat, at the end of March.

Now the onus is switched to Rangers to show they have the character and bottle to see out their fixtures without mishap.

It could even come down to goal difference, should the Ibrox side ship a couple of points in any of their three away games, and Celtic currently have an advantage of seven in this department.

However, it is having the points in the bag that gives Strachan's side most reason for hope, the weekend victory even taking them past last year's winning total.

Factor in the hangover from Wednesday's Uefa Cup Final result, and perhaps having to sit back and let the challengers get on with it is not as uncomfortable a position as it may first appear.

Batteries will be recharged, niggly injuries allowed to settle, and focus sharpened. By the time Celtic run out at Tannadice, the players should be champing at the bit.

They are entitled to feel good after completing their home programme with the kind of display which epitomised the start of their season, a fast, slick, penetrating 90 minutes, with a cutting edge and a clean sheet.

The goals came from captain Stephen McManus with a powerful header from a Shunsuke Nakamura corner after 35 minutes, and a simple nod over the line from Scott McDonald four minutes from time.

It was the striker's 31st goal of the season, but few have brought so much relief as Hibs remained a threat even though they had been reduced to 10 men three minutes earlier when Martin Canning was harshly shown a second yellow card by ref Dougie McDonald for a trip on Barry Robson.

By the time the official blew for full time he had also sent off Ian Murray for a wild boot at Aiden McGeady as the winger sped away from him.

It was a sad end to HIbs' hopes of keeping the fight for a Uefa Cup place live right down to the last day. But Motherwell boss Mark McGhee, watching from the main stand, was not complaining as he took the congratulations for his team securing third spot in the table.

Had Hibs presented more of a goal threat, it might have been a different story. But for all their precise passing and good running off the ball, the efforts which did reach Artur Boruc required workmanlike rather than world-class saves, helping to preserve not only a clean sheet but the best defensive record in the SPL.

Mind you, there were sticky sections of this end-to-end game when frustration and anxiety was allowed to creep into Celtic's play, destructive elements which could have cost them.

But, with Nakamura not only displaying his full repertoire of control and passing but a dogged determination to defend as well, McGeady worrying Hibs whenever he received the ball, Paul Hartley and Robson destroying most of what remotely looked like it might lead to a dangerous attack by the visitors, Celtic were good value for their win.

Had McDonald not been so selfish in front of goal, the victory would have been secured much earlier, and that goal difference given a further boost.

Indeed, after one failure by Skippy to pass to a team-mate when his own route to goal was blocked, Strachan's exasperation caused him to thrown his water bottle onto the park.

But it was only liquid not points which were spilled, and even the manager later reflected that any criticism of anyone in his side would be churlish when winning is all that matters.

As the players walked round the park to take the applause from the fans at full time, the question was already being asked which of them would be back next season, with many eyes on a subdued Boruc.

Before then, however, the question fans want answered is: Will they still be champions?

NEED TO KNOW

CELTIC............2 HIBS............0

Was it a good game? One of the most open and entertaining staged at Celtic Park this season, helped by the conditions and the attitude of both teams.

Who was Celtic's best player? Naka gave a near-perfect display.

And Hibs' top performer? Dean Shiels showed terrific close control and posed Celtic many problems.

What about the ref? Kept control throughout, Harsh to send off Canning, but correct to red card Murray.

Who's up next? After an 11-day break, it's Dundee United at Tannadice.

Talking point

Has Artur Boruc played his final game at Celtic Park?