GLASGOW (AFP) - Celtic moved four points clear in the Scottish Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Hibernian in their final home game of the season on Sunday.

Captain Stephen McManus and Australian striker Scott McDonald scored in each half to secure the win for the SPL holders, who finish their campaign away to Dundee United.

Celtic's win almost certainly ensures the championship will be decided on the final day of the season, with Rangers still having three games to play.

Hibs, meanwhile, ended the game with only nine men after Martin Canning and Ian Murray were sent off late on, and the result ended their hopes of catching Motherwell, who will now finish third to qualify for next season's UEFA Cup.

Gordon Strachan enjoyed the match but admitted all that mattered was the result.

The Celtic manager said: "It was a great game and a fitting way for us to play our final home game of the season.

"Trust me though, it's all about the result. Everyone wants to watch winning football and although we'll try to play good football, as you seen today, if we had performed like that and got beat there would have been trouble.

"I'm just pleased for the players that they've got themselves into the position that the last day of the season is important."

Celtic had dominated the first half of the match but Hibs had looked dangerous on the break and had several chances to open the scoring.

However, in the 37th minute Celtic finally found the back of the net.

Shunsuke Nakamura's corner was met by McManus who directed his header into the corner of the net beyond Hibs goalkeeper Andrew McNeil.

Celtic almost doubled their advantage in the 44th minute when a trademark 25-yard free-kick from Japanese playmaker Nakamura curled over the Hibs wall and goalkeeper only to rebound off the post.

McDonald should have scored in the second minute of the second half when Nakamura put him through on goal.

The Australian rounded McNeil but his first shot was cleared off the line by Murray, and when the ball fell back at McDonald's feet he tried to score again from a tight angle and again the Hibs defender blocked.

In the 83rd minute Hibs were reduced to 10 men when Martin Canning picked up a second yellow card for a late tackle on Barry Robson.

Celtic finally secured the points in the 87th minute when Robson's free-kick skimmed off the head of Clayton Donaldson at the front post leaving McDonald with the simple task of nodding the ball home at the back post.

And in injury time Hibs' Ian Murray was harshly shown a straight red card for a foul on McGeady as he raced up the wing.

Hibs' Finnish manager Mixu Paatelainen was annoyed with the sending offs but paid tribute to his players for their efforts this season.

He said: "I'm disappointed to lose. We passed the ball well but again we didn't take our chances.

"I was annoyed at the red cards. I didn't see Martin Canning's second tackle but I was about to replace him with Colin Nish and really go for it.

"And Ian Murray could have done something else if he wanted to slow down McGeady rather than just taking a swipe at him.

"We're disappointed to have missed out on the UEFA Cup but when I came in earlier in the season I thought Motherwell and Dundee United were too far ahead so it's a bonus we managed to challenge with them for so long."