Neil Lennon believes Celtic have hit the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in perfect time for their Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow on Tuesday night.

The Hoops swept Motherwell away at Fir Park yesterday, winning 2-0 thanks to a strike from in-form Gary Hooper and an own goal by the unfortunate Adam Cummins, who compounded a miserable afternoon when he was sent off after the break for a professional foul on Kris Commons.

Celtic could afford to have skipper Scott Brown’s penalty saved by Darren Randolph and they were handed an added boost when Georgios Samaras returned for the first time since injuring his elbow on international duty in September.

Lennon said: “We have gone top of the league so going into the game on Tuesday, that is a good marker for us psychologically. We are starting to hit a bit of form.”