Defenders Jamie McCart and Darnell Fisher were on target as Celtic beat Hamilton 2-0 at New Douglas Park in the Development League.
The win edges Celtic a point clear of the Lanarkshire side but the hoops trail Aberdeen by eight points with a game in hand and just five matches left to play.
Twenty-four hours after making his first team debut Kieran Tierney found himself lining up in a much changed Celtic development side that included Tom Rogic and Joe Chalmers who are both on their way back from lengthy absences.
Michael Duffy came in off the wing to play as sole striker supported by Tierney, Rogic and Aian Nesbitt with Hamilton including player-manager Martin Canning in the centre of defence.
The hoops got off to the perfect start with McCart netting in the third minute from a corner on the right.
After that the game settled down with little between the two sides and few chances at either end.
Just before the interval Aiden Nesbitt almost increased Celtic’s lead when he was put through on goal from a great Darnell Fisher pass but home keeper Darren Hill pushed the winger’s shot for a corner.
Mark Hill replaced Rogic at the interval with Joe Thomson coming close to scoring in the 50th minute but headed over as he reached back to connect with a cross from Fisher.
After being involved in a few near misses Fisher took actions in-house chipping home a great effort from 20 yards out that Hill never got close to.
CELTIC: Zaluska; Fisher (Waters 74), Kelleher, McCart, Chalmers; Thomson, McManus Rogic (Hill 46); Nesbitt, Duffy, Tierney (McGrath 63).
SUBS: Doohan, Wardrop, Miller, Hendry
