The Australia international slammed the home side ahead in the third minute as Gordon Strachan's men started in whirlwind fashion.

When skipper Stephen McManus grabbed a second from close range six minutes later, it looked all over for the visitors.

However, Hibs skipper Rob Jones pulled a goal back with a header in the 17th minute to give the Easter Road men a glimmer of hope.

But Celtic regained control and McDonald grabbed his second 15 minutes from time late to seal a deserved victory.


Earlier in the day Rangers spurned the opportunity to go top of the table for a couple of hours after fighting out a tense goalless draw at Aberdeen.

Charlie Mulgrew's well-struck free-kick was the highlight of a low-key first half, with teenager John Fleck squandering a couple of shots at the other end.

Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd, who both came on as second-half substitutes, had opportunities to win the game but a share of the spoils was probably a fair result.

Warren Feeney helped himself to a double as Dundee United staged a remarkable late comeback to beat St Mirren 3-2 and jump up into third place.


Saints had taken a first-half lead through Jack Ross before Feeney levelled from the penalty spot and Billy Mehmet also converted from 12 yards to restore the visitors' lead.

But United's determination paid off and goals from Prince Buaben and Feeney late on allowed the Tannadice club to claim the win and leave the Buddies reeling.


It also finished 3-2 at Tynecastle as substitute Laryea Kingston's 90th-minute winner sealed a dramatic win for Hearts who were pushed all the way by managerless Inverness.

In a match full of incident, Kingston slotted home at the death from Andrew Driver's cutback - the in-from winger set up all of the hosts' goals - to consign the batting 10-man Highlanders to an eighth straight loss.


Despite being without a boss after Craig Brewster's sacking, the rock-bottom visitors were the better team in Gorgie before David Obua won a high ball battle to nod home his first Hearts goal towards half-time.

But Inverness, with first-team coach John Docherty in the dugout, grabbed a leveller with a maiden goal for Latvian defender Pavels Mihadjuks.

Michael Stewart saw a penalty saved before Roy McBain was dismissed and Obua restored the lead.

Dougie Imrie's stunning 88th-minute free-kick look to have rescued a point, only for Kingston to immediately net and secure a third straight victory for Hearts.

In the day's final game Dean Holden's spectacular volley earned Falkirk a valuable 1-1 draw in a fiery clash against Motherwell at Fir Park.

David Clarkson had headed the hosts into a deserved half-time lead but Holden smashed home from 16 yards just after the restart.

Clarkson and Jim O'Brien struck the crossbar and Marc Fitzpatrick and Chris Porter headed wide from close range as Well missed the chance to go level on points with sixth-placed Hibernian.