by Scott McClymont

One turn, two touches and then the goal of his life. With one ferocious swing of a left foot, the complexion of the title race had turned.

Ronny Deila says he'll remember Tom Rogic's wonder strike, which moved the Scottish champions four points clear at the top of the table, for the rest of his career and Celtic fans are unlikely to forget their latest trip to Rugby Park for a while.

Even before Aberdeen fell at Fir Park the Australian's last-gasp intervention seemed significant, signalling the return of the 'Ronny Roar' in a week that had seen David Moyes and Malky Mackay cast admiring glances towards the occupied Celtic manager's seat. It was almost fitting that such a strike should occur at the Ayrshire venue, which has been the scene for title triumphs, tears and memorable moments for the Hoops over the past 13 years.

In 2003, a 4-0 win over Killie still saw Martin O'Neill's side miss out on the championship just days after agonisingly losing out in the UEFA Cup final. Shunsuke Nakamura helped deliver happier Ayrshire memories when his stunning last-minute free-kick sealed Gordon Strachan's second title as Celtic boss in April 2007.

Kilmarnock's home also played a meaningful part in Neil Lennon's Celtic story with a stirring second-half comeback ensuring the Northern Irishman didn't walk away from the job in October 2011 and he would return down the M77 six months later to lift his first league title as boss following a 6-0 demolition. In a season that has been filled with speculation over Deila's long-term future at Parkhead, it is tempting to wonder if this weekend's dramatic victory will prove to hold similar importance for the Norwegian.

"That's why you do this. The fans were so good and there was so much emotion for me and all the others." Deila replied when asked what the nature of this victory meant to the title holders.

It's no exaggeration to say Cetic weren't at their best during Saturday's lunchtime date but in the way that champions do, they found a way to prevail. Deprived of the pace of Gary Mackay-Steven due to injury, the visitors' build up play appeared laboured in the opening 45 minutes with Colin Kazim-Richards deployed on the left of a 4-3-3 formation.

The introduction of Patrick Roberts at the interval brought an increase in tempo from Deila's team but they remained frustrated in their attempts to breakdown a stubborn Kilmarnock team with Julien Faubert and Gary Dicker excelling in their roles as midfield destroyers.

Lee Clark, who described the defeat as the toughest he's experienced as a boss, could be forgiven for thinking the football gods were conspiring against him. In addition to seeing his men denied a point at the death, Clark saw Dundee United narrow the gap at the bottom of the table courtesy of their own late show. While the former Birmingham boss has clearly instilled a level of tactical organisation missing under Gary Locke, it remains to be seen whether he has enough time or talent at his disposal to save Killie from the drop.

Deila's targets for the rest of the campaign are of course very different with a domestic double still very much within reach. A seven-point Premiership lead with seven games to go will become reality should they see off Hearts next Saturday with trips to Dundee and Motherwell to follow before the split. A Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden provides the opportunity for more magical moments before the season is concluded.

"With a goal like that, it is the best way to win sometimes," the Celtic boss added as he basked in the Spring sunshine.

Right now, simply winning is all that matters.

by Laura Brannan

It’s the derby that never disappoints and Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw at Tannadice was yet another meeting that delivered on its promise.

While the match was a feast of entertainment for neutrals, fans of the city's rival clubs were both put through the wringer emotionally.

Dundee fans were left feeling like they had suffered a defeat rather than gained a point after losing a stoppage time equaliser to Billy McKay.

That was despite playing almost half the game with 10 men. Feeling hard done by not holding on to their two goal advantage under those circumstances shows just how much they dominated in the opening 51 minutes.

United, meanwhile, came away with a precious point that edged them another step closer to 11th placed Kilmarnock, who lost 1-0 to Celtic the previous day.

It wasn’t the win that the Tannadice side were desperately seeking but it could do more than just reduce the gap to seven points.

The fighting spirit that kept United in the battle, despite being two goals down at half-time, showed character and the last minute goal could provide a timely confidence boost.

So while the dramatic point snatcher may have a positive impact on Mixu Paatelainen’s side going into the closing stages of the season, the similar events at Rugby Park on Saturday may also affect Killie, only in the opposite way.

Both sides have almost an identical run-in before the split, with Partick Thistle and St Johnstone the teams who could have a huge say in the relegation battle. Dundee United also have a home game against Inverness Caley Thistle who they have drawn with twice this season.

The game in hand for Paatelainen’s side, which will be played at Firhill on Tuesday, April 5 is now one of the most important games of their season.

United go into the final fixtures buoyed by Sunday’s result but while positive thinking can only aid their cause, it would be unwise to overlook some of the warnings from Sunday's action.

In context, the home side failed to overturn 10 men who were fielding a keeper who had never made a Scottish Premiership appearance before.

They squandered numerous chances to turn the game on its head but could only convert one from open play. They also still look to have weak links in their starting XI with Gavin Gunning failing to convince yet again in a back three.

United may continue to slowly close the gap on Kilmarnock one point at a time, but with only eight games remaining they’ll eventually run out of time. Sunday’s derby draw has to now fire them up for that long awaited run of consistency if they are to survive the drop and they have to take three points whenever the opportunity presents itself.