A dramatic late Celtic flurry turned what seemed certain defeat into victory and kept their title hopes alive at Dundee United.

Trailing to Kjell Olofsson's well-worked 23rd minute opener, two goals in the last 13 minutes from substitute Simon Donnelly and Craig Burley transformed the game at Tannadice.

In the 77th minute Paul Lambert unleashed a low drive that was pushed away by United keeper Sieb Dykstra to Donnelly, who converted from a narrow angle.

Ten minutes later Burley's deflected 87th minute shot took a marked deflection to wrong-foot Dykstra and repeat the scoreline when the sides met on September 27.

The comeback lifts Celtic into second place ahead of Hearts and just three points adrift of champions Rangers.

United manager Tommy McLean surprisingly left out Robbie Winters, scorer of the only goal in Saturday's Scottish Cup win against Aberdeen, and restored Gary McSwegan.

Maurice Malpas' suspension allowed for an experienced replacement in David Bowman, while Celtic's Tom Boyd was also banned, giving David Hannah a chance.

Celtic found no place for off-form Regi Blinker, for whom Morten Wieghorst returned, while Enrico Annoni filled the breach left by Alan Stubbs' broken thumb.

Dykstra was called into early action after Harald Brattbakk freed Henrik Larsson, whose deceptive effort required tipping over.

Then, after 17 minutes, Burley missed an opening for Celtic when Larsson's intelligent pass freed him on the right and the former Chelsea man's first-time shot flew well wide.

United made him pay six minutes later, after Erik Pedersen had got the better of Annoni on the left.

His cross found another Scandinavian, Lars Zetterlund, whose flick put a third - Olofsson - clear to stroke the ball beyond the reach of Jonathan Gould.

Within two minutes, though, Celtic had almost levelled, after Brattbakk's shot defeated Dykstra, only to be cleared off the line by Mark Perry.

On the half-hour Dykstra was again tested, beating away a fierce Wieghorst drive to safety as Celtic continued to press.

Two minutes later Dykstra's bravery was crucial once more to keep out Annoni's close-range effort, after the Italian had met Lambert's low, driven cross.

But shots narrowly over the crossbar from Zetterlund and Siggi Jonsson outlined the threat United still held as they retained their lead into the break.

Celtic introduced goalscorer Donnelly at the break in what proved a successful bid to add to their attacking options, the ineffective Jackie McNamara making way.

After 55 minutes Larsson might have done better after creating space forhimself in the area, but his snap-shot drifted wide.

Goalscorer Olofsson was replaced by Winters after 58 minutes and he was soon in the action, his burst from deep being stopped by Lambert at the expense of a booking.

A dismayed Brattbakk was pulled off by Celtic boss Wim Jansen just after the hour, with Darren Jackson entering the fray and almost at once clashing angrily with Dykstra.

Donnelly's first contribution was to head away a powerful half-volley from Jonsson. His next was more telling still, levelling with just 13 minutes remaining.

Even at 1-1 United might have regained the lead, with two Gould saves proving vital for the Bhoys.

With eight minutes remaining, Gould reacted superbly to deny the advancing McSwegan. He was again in action moments later to push wide a long-distance strike from Zetterlund.

Those near misses suggested it might prove Celtic's night and against all odds, courtesy of Burley's last laugh, so it proved.

Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Skoldmark, Bowman, Pressley, Perry, Pedersen, Olofsson (Winters 58), Zetterlund, McSwegan, Jonsson, McLaren.

Subs Not Used: Dolan, McKinnon.

Booked: Zetterlund, McSwegan.

Goals: Olofsson 24.

Celtic: Gould, Annoni, Mahe, McNamara (Donnelly 46), Rieper, Hannah, Larsson, Burley, Brattbakk (Jackson 60), Lambert, Wieghorst.

Subs Not Used: O'Donnell.

Booked: McNamara, Hannah, Lambert.

Goals: Donnelly 78, Burley 87.

Att: 14,004

Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).