The season cannot end soon enough for a Celtic side left a distant second by Rangers, but at least the torture was eased by the consolation of a 1-0 victory at Dundee United on Tuesday night.

Mark Burchill's ninth-minute strike was enough to secure all three points at Tannadice, yet, in truth, this was a game which was all about what might have been for Celtic this troubled campaign.

Their last visit to this venue was August 15 last year, John Barnes' fourth in charge, with three wins and 13 goals his proud record ahead of that contest.

The result then was a 2-1 success for United which prompted the first questions about Barnes and Celtic which were never quite answered ahead of his February dismissal.

Tonight's consolation effort was Celtic's first win since April 5, since when Rangers have clinched the title and ahead of this game had established a 22-point lead in the Championship race.

A mere 7,449 were at Tannadice due to a low away following combined with gaps in the home support end explained by United's failure to win at home in the league this year.

In second-half injury time, United almost deepened the visitors' gloom when substitute Stephen McConalogue saw a header come back off the post, but for once it was to be Celtic's night.

Celtic now await their next head coach being appointed with Guus Hiddink, dismissed by Real Betis today, the clear favourite for a post which offers a daunting challenge.

Alan Stubbs made his first-team return after ankle and thigh problems, lining up for the first time since March, in a Celtic side which saw youngster Stephen Crainey start.

Stewart Kerr continued in goal with Jonathan Gould left on the bench, while for United defender David McCracken was offered a debut chance at centre-half.

It was a low-key opening which needed an early goal to lift it and that came on nine minutes after Eyal Berkovic combined with Mark Viduka in fluid fashion.

Scottish Players' Player of the Year Viduka played in Burchill who struck a powerful first-time effort low beyond the reach of Alan Combe to put the visitors ahead.

United were not overawed, Celtic no longer seem to have that effect on their rivals, and it needed a superb one-handed save from Kerr to deny former Parkhead midfielder David Hannah.

From the rebound Joaquim Ferraz blazed over while moments later Hannah controlled the ball expertly on the edge of the area before sending a looping volley just over the bar.

Jason De Vos then saved United at the other end as he reached a Colin Healy cutback ahead of the onrushing Burchill after more skilful work by Berkovic in the centre.

After 20 minutes, Stubbs tackle in the centre circle enabled Lubomir Moravcik to release Burchill clear on the Combe, but the keeper was equal to the task blocking smartly.

Ferraz directed a header wide for United, while Viduka cut inside with purpose for Celtic before driving a low effort into the side-netting aschances were being created at both ends.

Vidar Riseth sent an ambitious effort wide for Celtic before the busy Hannah curled a free kick off-target in response.

Ferraz was enduring a miserable half and should have done better when set up with a free header from an Alex Mathie cross only to direct it well wide from point blank range.

United replaced Hugh Davidson with Scotland Under-21 captain Craig Easton at the break and had the first chance after the restart when Ferraz dragged a shot wide.

Paul Lambert fired a 25-yard drive narrowly wide for Celtic, but United were posing the bigger threat, Ferraz sending a header straight at Kerr from a De Vos cross.

Portuguese striker Ferraz should have done better on 67 minutes when picked out by Hannah's cross, but his header drifted over the bar as Celtic held on to their 1-0 advantage.

With 20 minutes remaining, Scottish record signing Eyal Berkovic was withdrawn from the fray to allow Tommy Johnson a comeback from injury following a recent muscle strain.

The match was a flat affair now, but Celtic almost doubled their lead when Burchill's sharp near post effort was stopped one-handed by Combe in the United goal.

With two minutes remaining it needed a fine low save from Kerr to maintain Celtic's lead as he pushed aside a McCracken header in a late, but fruitless United surge.

Teams:

Dundee Utd: Combe, McQuillan, De Vos, McCracken, Partridge, Davidson (Easton 46), Venetis, Hannah, Telesnikov, Mathie (McConalogue 76), Ferraz (Thompson 76).

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Pascual.

Booked: Telesnikov, McQuillan.

Celtic: Kerr, Mahe, Riseth, Stubbs, Crainey, Lambert, Moravcik, Berkovic (Johnson 72), Healy, Viduka (Petta 88), Burchill (Kennedy 88).

Subs Not Used: Gould, Smith.

Booked: Stubbs.

Goals: Burchill 9.

Att: 7,449

Ref: Willie Young (Scotland).