Football: STAN KEEPS PRESSURE ON; Celtic 3 Dundee 0.

Byline: MICHAEL BAILLIE

CELTIC kept up the pressure on Rangers at the top of the SPL - but had to wait until the second half to break down Dundee's well organised defence.

Stilian Petrov got the all important goal after 49 minutes and a Bobo Balde double sealed the points.

The Parkhead crowd were growing frustrated in the opening period as they feared losing ground on Rangers - but just four minutes after the interval their fears were eased as Celtic took the lead.

Jackie McNamara swung in a cross that was met by Petrov who timed his run into the area to perfection and head past Derek Soutar.

Celtic then doubled their advantage after 59 minutes and tied up the three points as Balde got on the end of Petrov's corner to head home.

And three minutes from the end Balde added another - again from man-of-the-match Petrov's cross.

Hoops fans were delighted but their mood darkened when they heard Rangers had scored from a last minute penalty at Tynecastle.

CAPTION(S):

TWO GOOD: Balde scores