Anthony Stokes hails 'massive' win over Dundee United

Anthony Stokes has acknowledged the importance of Celtic going in to Sunday's Old Firm showdown level on points with rivals Rangers.

Neil Lennon's side came within minutes of losing their 100 per cent SPL record at Tannadice on Sunday. Despite producing what the Celtic manager declared to be their best performance of the season, it required a Gary Hooper goal in the 89th minute to secure a 2-1 win which ensured they did not go into next weekend's top-of-the-table clash at Parkhead trailing the champions.

Former Sunderland and Hibs striker Stokes admitted it would have been a "huge blow" for his side had they dropped points ahead of what promises to be a titanic Old Firm clash. "The last thing we wanted was to drop points ahead of the game against Rangers," he said. "So, from that point of view, it was a massive, massive result. It maybe looked as though that was going to be the case with the game at 1-1 but we never gave up.

"When you play as well as we did, and you create as many chances, you've got to win. The manager said that it was as well as we have played and I have to agree with him. Some of our football was fantastic."

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After taking the lead through the impressive Hooper, who coolly converted a Mark Wilson cross, the visitors were stunned just before the break when United striker David Goodwille's deflected strike landed behind keeper Fraser Forster.

Stokes also agreed with Lennon over Dougie McDonald's handling of the incident which saw a penalty kick award to Celtic overturned on the advice of assistant referee Steven Craven.

The decision left Lennon furious and Stokes said: "If you point to the spot then you can't change your mind, surely? I was there and could have tapped the ball into the net instead of it then becoming a drop-ball. I thought we responded well though."