Sutton was causing the United defence all kinds of problems and it was the former Chelsea man who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute.

Agathe teed the ball up for Henrik Larsson to deliver the perfect cross into the box and Sutton soared highest, but watched as his header rocketed back off the upright.

But Celtic took the lead with a wonderful move that was finished off by Swedish star Larsson, who scored his 48th goal of the season to equal Charlie Nicholas’ post-war record.

But it was Sutton who made the goal as he refused to accept Johan Mjallby’s ball down field was going out and Jason De Vos allowed him to swing over a cross for Larsson to get ahead of Jim Lauchlan and bullet a diving header past Paul Gallacher.

That ended a barren run for Larsson of three matches without a goal.