Celtic 5 St Mirren 0:A Gary Hooper hat-trick and a stunning goal from teenage substitute Dylan McGeouch helped Celtic thrash St Mirren and move within four points of Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers at Parkhead this afternoon.

It was the Hoops fifth straight win and they reiterated their title intentions in impressive style, although Rangers have a game in hand against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tomorrow.

The first half belonged to the much-maligned Georgios Samaras as dreadful defending by the visitors allowed him to open the scoring in the fourth minute, with Hooper grabbing his first four minutes later from close range.

The former Scunthorpe striker scored twice more early in the second half before McGeouch scored his first goal for the club in the 72nd minute with a wonderful solo effort which began when he won the ball in his own half.