Scott McDonald made a spectacular return to the Celtic side with a hat-trick to beat Motherwell 3-0 in Saturday's SPL clash at Parkhead.

The Australia striker, who was rested for the Champions League clash with Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday, looked sharp against his former club, scoring the opener three minutes before the interval with a close-range header.

His strike just before the hour mark from a Lee Naylor pass and an 87th-minute penalty after Stephen Craigan's foul wrapped up the points for the champions, who moved three points clear of rivals Rangers.

It was McDonald's second hat-trick since signing from the Lanarkshire side in the summer, the other coming against Dundee United last month.

And he showed his value to Gordon Strachan's side again with a master class in finishing, spoiled only by a first-half booking for diving.