The Englishman teed up Celtic captain Scott Brown to fire home the opening goal on 46 minutes after County had squandered chances in the first half.

Hooper was on hand again with a pair of headers in the 53rd and 64th minute, while substitute James Forrest wrapped up the scoring after a mazy run.

Celtic have now won four straight and lead second-placed Inverness by five points with a game in hand.

Billy McKay scored a double for Inverness as they defeated Dundee 4-1.

Nicky Riley cancelled out McKay's early penalty but Owain Tudor Jones made it 2-1 with a powerful drive.

Second-half strikes from McKay and Andrew Shinnie completed a comfortable win for Inverness.

Elsewhere, Aberdeen moved up to fourth with a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone courtesy of two Niall McGinn strikes.