Celtic could be crowned champions on April 5 after moving 17 points clear of Hearts at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Inverness at Parkhead.

The CIS Insurance Cup winners might have been accused of overdoing the Hampden Park celebrations after a flat performance. But Stephen McManus scored his eighth goal of the season, and in-form Shaun Maloney curled home another trademark free-kick to move the Glasgow giants within touching distance of the title.

Inverness, who scored a late consolation through Richard Hart from Artur Boruc's blunder, remain a point behind sixth-placed Aberdeen with three games to go before the split. Celtic require eight points from as many games to guarantee the return of the trophy, but wins at Livingston on Sunday and against troubled second-placed side Hearts at Parkhead would wrap up the silverware early.