A first-half double from Jackie McNamara put Scottish Premier League champions Celtic on course to reach the 97 points mark in the dress rehearsal for this month's Scottish Cup final.

Celtic made a dream start after just four minutes when Alan Thompson hit a fierce strike from inside the area which took a wicked deflection off McNamara before looping over Hibernian goalkeeper Nick Colgan.

The home side almost drew level in the 14th minute when the recalled John O'Neil floated a high cross into the back post area and Stuart Lovell out-jumped former Hibs star Didier Agathe, but headed into the side netting.

The home side paid for that missed opportunity as Celtic again showed their cutting edge in front of goal to double their lead four minutes later.

Agathe hit a powerful drive from the left of the box, Colgan failed to hold it and McNamara capitalised on a mix-up between the keeper and Dirk Lehmann to stab home from just 10 yards.

Hibernian were by no means being outclassed and created another glorious chance in the 24th minute.

Frenchman Marc Libbra flicked the ball in to Lovell, whose right-foot volley left Kharine stranded but bounced just inches past the post.

Celtic had the ball in the net moments later when Thompson fired home Larsson's cross, but the striker was ruled out for offside.

The home side looked uncharacteristically out of sorts in defence, but their forwards were doing their utmost to keep them in the game.

A moment of brilliance from Libbra in the 31st minute almost gave them a lifeline when he wriggled free from Ramon Vega and Joos Valgaeren in the box, but Kharine again came off his line to make a decisive block.

The Celtic keeper again did well to save Franck Sauzee's low drive after Libbra had played him into space on the right side of the area.

In the final seconds of the half Libbra fired just wide of the upright after a scramble in the Celtic goalmouth.