Hoops keep pressure on Rangers

Australia international McDonald's 25th goal of the season just before the interval whistle gave the champions the lead, and Greek frontman Samaras then bulleted an Aiden McGeady cross past Michael Fraser on the hour mark.

Caley Thistle striker Marius Niculae took advantage of Scott Brown's misplaced pass to pull a goal back, but the home side survived an nervy end to the game and remain four points behind their Ibrox rivals at the top of the table.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, serving the first of a two-match touchline ban, watched a tepid opening to the match from the stand as his side struggled to get in to their stride.

In the eighth minute Hoops' striker Samaras raced past Caley defender Grant Munro and in to the box but his low angled drive from 14 yards was blocked by the feet of Inverness keeper Fraser.

Inverness were neat and tidy, if rather lightweight, and their first real effort of the game arrived in the 32nd minute when Douglas Imrie slipped a shot from 20 yards past the post.

But with seconds remaining until half-time, McDonald latched on to a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick from wide on the right to knock the ball in from close range for the opener.

Caley right-back Ross Tokely almost headed a Nakamura free-kick into his own net in the 50th minute and two minutes later Samaras casually drove against the post from the edge of the box with Hoops' defender Andreas Hinkel knocking the rebound high over the bar.

Celtic's second goal came on the hour mark and was fashioned by McGeady. The Republic of Ireland wide-man whipped in a cross from the left with his right foot and Samaras rose high to bullet a header from eight yards past the helpless Fraser.

But in the 70th minute Celtic put themselves under needless pressure when midfielder Brown gave possession away to Caley striker Niculae, who controlled the ball before curling his shot past Artur Boruc and in to the far corner.