Celtic stretched their winning run in the SPL to 11 games with a 3-1 victory at St Mirren.
Samaras, Nakamura and Sheridan wrap up St Mirren Park success
Celtic stretched their winning run in the SPL to 11 games and opened a seven-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 victory at struggling St Mirren.
The last time Gordon Strachan's side failed to record three points in the league was when crashing 4-2 to second-placed Rangers in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park in August.
Two goals in the space of a couple of second half minutes from Georgios Samaras and Shunsuke Nakamura sent Celtic on their way at St Mirren Park on Saturday lunchtime, while Cillian Sheridan ensured the Bhoys extended that statistic as James Hamilton could only net late on.
Celtic, who could see their advantage reduced when Rangers take on Aberdeen later on Saturday, enjoyed the better of the opening possession but Strachan was fortunate to see goalkeeper Artur Boruc avoid a red card when clattering Craig Dargo.
Poland international Boruc, returning to the Bhoys line-up after three games on the sidelines with a knee injury, rushed from his 18-yard area only to be beaten to the ball by Dargo before crashing into the St Mirren player to receive a booking from referee Willie Collum.
Threat
Gus MacPherson's Saints then threatened and Franco Miranda hit the cross bar with a curling left-footed corner as Celtic - who were struggling to penetrate their hosts' defence - were rattled.
But the reigning SPL champions should have been in front five minutes before the break as Barry Robson delivered a free-kick from wide on the right only for centre-back Glenn Loovens to inexcusably head over when in acres.
After the interval Loovens was almost made to rue his miss as the ever-dangerous Dargo turned neatly at the dead-ball line and crossed to force Stephen McManus to clear from under his own posts.
Celtic, though, then stunned their hosts with two quick-fire goals as first Samaras turned in an Andreas Hinkel cross on 64 minutes from close range.
And two minutes later Strachan saw his men extend their lead as Samaras turned provider when threading a pass to Nakamura who slid past St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard.
Substitute Sheridan made sure of the points with 10 minutes remaining as he tapped in with Howard stranded to secure the points, despite Hamilton netting in the last minute for St Mirren.
