Substitute Albian Ajeti spared Celtic from another early-season title setback as his late strike earned Scottish Premiership victory at Dundee United.

The Swiss forward lashed home his first Celtic goal in 83 minutes to prevent the champions suffering a second successive league draw.

Odsonne Edouard hit a post and Benjamin Siegrist superbly kept the visitors at bay before the pressure told.

Celtic trail leaders Rangers by six points having played two games fewer.

United had impressively subdued Neil Lennon’s side, who were playing their first league fixture in 13 days after having two games postponed for defender Boli Bolingoli’s quarantine transgression.

But the late blow leaves Micky Mellon’s Premiership newcomers fifth, level on points with Celtic.

It was a tale of Celtic frustration for much of this Tannadice encounter as United – with four players aged 22 or under – energetically harassed the visitors out of their stride.

Whenever Celtic found breached the wall of tangerine, they found Siegrist in inspired form.

After Edouard thumped the outside of the upright from Mark Reynolds’ attempted clearance, Siegrist saved smartly from Ryan Christie and Edouard.

The theme continued after the restart, with Christie thwarted as United’s Swiss goalkeeper clawed away a shot that looked destined for the top corner.

Jamie Robson had United’s first effort on target just shy of 70 minutes, but the respite was brief.

Celtic kept pushing and substitute James Forrest fired inches over, Callum McGregor drilled wide and Edouard grazed the bar with a free-kick.

Their perseverance finally paid off when Siegrist again foiled Christie, but was helpless as Ajeti rifled home past three despairing United players on the goalline.

Man of the match – Benjamin Siegrist