Jota conjures up the unimaginable as dazzling Celtic star thrills and champs romp 16 points clear – 3 talking points

Thrilling Celtic moved 16 points clear of Rangers and moved closer to another title in a dominant 3-0 win over Dundee United.

And it was the mercurial talents of returning hero Jota which warmed the cockles of punters on a bitterly cold day where a biting wind chill belied the apparent 3 degree temperature. The Portugal winger, back home after an ill-fated stint with Al-Ittihad and Rennes, scored the second but its impact was imprinted across this victory. Celtic set up their box-office return with Bayern Munich in the perfect way.

Captain Callum McGregor got the party started with a lesser-spotted goal from inside the box and Adam Idah finished it with aplomb with the most emphatic finish in the final minutes. The skipper's clever reverse pass left Jack Walton with no chance to stop it. Celtic – who have played four times since United last kicked a ball – appeared the fresh team and their verve and swagger reduced the visitors to appear as if they were playing in slow motion.

The dominance of the first half wasn't replicated in the second period, United deserve kudos. The drama was in short supply with a VAR check on Vicko Ševelj bringing the crowd to life, however, the original decision to award a yellow card was upheld. Idah brought the boom before being instantly replaced and Celtic now get ready for Bayern while Jim Goodwin seeks a solution to United's recent woes. Here's 3 talking points from Celtic Park.

Perhaps Dundee United got confused, that is the only excuse for failing to plan for the brilliance of Jota. If there was one Celtic star who was a banker to start today it was the returning hero. The pack was shuffled and the ace is back in a major way. Jubilant punters were keen to give their returning hero