Craig Burley dug Celtic out of a hole today and put the club back in pole position in the title race.

Motherwell had taken the lead after 12 minutes through Steve McMillan and the home supporters must have feared the worst.

But Burley almost single-handedly turned the game on its head before half time by scoring twice.

He continued to exert a major influence in the second 45 minutes as Celtic romped home to go three points clear of Rangers, who play at Aberdeen tomorrow.

Burley had a hand in both Simon Donnelly's goals as Motherwell were ripped apart.

Celtic head coach Wim Jansen knows only too well that the title could be decided on goal difference and he was anxious for his team to improve their average.

He certainly got his wish on a sunny spring afternoon when the fans pumped up the volume to give the team marvellous support.

Just under 50,000 turned up, anxious to see their side get back on the rails after back-to-back defeats by Old Firm rivals Rangers in League and Cup.

Norwegian striker Harald Brattbakk paid the price for his recent run of poor form by being dropped from the Celtic squad.

Former Rosenborg star Brattbakk couldn't even manage a place on the bench for this vital clash.

Darren Jackson recovered from a chest infection and took his place in the front line with Henrik Larsson.

Scotland striker Jackson worked tirelessly and was given a standing ovation by the crowd when he was replaced by Jackie McNamara with eight minutes to go.

Celtic began nervously and went behind after just 12 minutes when McMillan fired a shot beyond keeper Jonathan Gould after Eliphas Shivute's initial effort had been beaten away.

Celtic should have levelled in the 22nd minute when Donnelly got clear but Motherwell keeper Stevie Woods made a marvellous point-blank save.

But the supporters didn't have long to wait for the equaliser with Burley smashing the ball home in the 25th minute after Jackson had cut the ball back.

Jackson should have extended Celtic's lead in the 42nd minute but his tame shot was safely held by Woods.

But a minute later Celtic went in front with Burley smashing the ball home after Larsson had chested the ball into his path following a long clearance from Alan Stubbs.

It was Burley's 15th goal of the season and three minutes into the second half he began the move that led to Celtic's third goal.

The former Chelsea star delivered a cross from the left and Jackson cleverly knocked the ball across the face of goal for Donnelly to tap it in.

Motherwell caved in after that strike and Celtic added a fourth in the 62nd minute. Larsson again linked up with Burley and he cleverly knocked it into space with the Motherwell defence standing off.

Donnelly was alert enough to nip through the gap and steer the ball home to give Celtic the victory they craved.

Teams:

Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Annoni, Donnelly, Rieper, Stubbs, Larsson, Burley, Jackson (McNamara 81), Lambert, O'Donnell.

Subs Not Used: Wieghorst, Blinker.

Goals: Burley 25, 43, Donnelly 49, 62.

Motherwell: Woods, Christie, McMillan, Denham, Martin, Falconer, Valakari, Lindqvist, Coyne (May 69), Shivute, Coyle (McCulloch 60).

Subs Not Used: Lundgren.

Booked: Martin.

Goals: McMillan 12.

Att: 49,541

Ref: D Smith (Troon).